Wednesday 22 August 2007

Health Benefits of Pure Cranberry Juice

In recent times, researchers have been concentrating on the effects of natural forms of therapy on certain diseases. This is because natural therapies are considered more economical and typically result in fewer side effects. A common focus of these researches is the use of pure cranberry juice in various illnesses.

Organic cranberry juice is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber and potassium. Aside from these, cranberry juice also has other components, such as tannins and flavonoids, which also have practical health benefits.

One of the more popular health uses of cranberry juice is in the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI). Cranberry juice has been shown to prevent the development of UTI by decreasing the ability of the E. coli bacteria to stick to the lining of the urinary tract.

In the same way, pure cranberry juice can also prevent the development of ulcers, cellulite formation and acid reflux disease. It inhibits the adhesion of H. pylori bacteria in the stomach, which is responsible for the development of gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers and gastric cancer.

Cranberry juice has also been noted to produce benefits on the cardiovascular system. A low level of HDL cholesterol, the body’s good cholesterol, is a risk factor in the development of heart disease. Studies have shown that cranberry juice contains antioxidants, which can increase HDL cholesterol, thus lowering the risk for the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases.

Animal studies have also shown that the antioxidants in cranberry juice can decrease the growth and prevent metastasis of certain cancers. However, more research is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of cranberry juice in human cancer patients.

Cranberry juice has also been shown to provide additional health benefits, such as preventing dental plaque, gum disease and kidney stone formation. Preliminary studies have also shown that cranberry juice has anti-viral and anti-fungal properties; however, more studies are needed to assess the efficacy of this treatment in humans.

So what are you waiting for? Start taking cranberry juice today!