THANKSGIVING
Cranberry
Blessings on Your Holiday Table
By
Gailon Totheroh
CBN News Science & Medical Reporter
CBN.com
– Cranberries as holiday fare probably began at the first Thanksgiving
dinner. The Pilgrims reportedly served berries brought by Native Americans. And
the natives understood their medicinal value in treating arrow wounds and preventing
scurvy. As Americans embark on a holiday binge of eating 10.8 billion cranberries,
it is nice to know that cranberries' have important modern medicinal value. Cranberries
grow well in northern climates like Massachusetts and Wisconsin. And most cranberries
grow in bogs from which farmers harvest them in late summer to early fall. The
berries are white if picked early, but turn deep red if harvested later. For
many families, cranberry jelly serves as an essential and familiar condiment for
holiday meals, but others are leaning toward fresh cranberries. While cranberries
are popular on Thanksgiving tables, their health benefits are not as familiar.
A university study compared the level of antioxidants in 21 fruits. Cranberries
ranked number one in polyphenols. These plant nutrients are the same ones that
give grapes their benefits for heart health. Dr. Itzhak Ofek has been looking
for antibacterial substances for 20 years. "During this time, I've been searching
for compounds that would block or prevent the bacteria from adhering to our cells
so we can prevent them from causing disease," he said. In cranberries,
Dr. Ofek says he has found the compounds he has been looking for. They are called
proanthocyanidins and they interfere with bacteria doing their deadly work. Some
people have been aware that cranberry juices and foods seemed to help prevent
urinary tract infections. Doctors thought that benefit came from cranberries acidifying
the urine. Now we know it was the proanthocyanidins. Armed with
that knowledge, Ofek and his colleague, dental expert Ervin Weiss, took a look
at what cranberry might do to the bacteria in the mouth. Weiss said, "These
bacteria were isolated originally from the dental plaque. And the compound from
the cranberry juice are capable of interfering and inhibiting the interbacterial
attachments." In other words, cranberry keeps the bacteria from ganging
up with each other and forming dental plaque. Weiss continued, "Gum disease
is caused by dental plaque. Dental plaque is allowed to accumulate on the tooth
surface and at the border of the gums due to poor oral hygiene. It finally causes
irritation to the gums, redness, and inflammation." So far, no major toothpaste
company has come up with any cranberry zest toothpaste. But, of course, Ocean
Spray's staff scientist, Martin Starr, is excited about all the developments.
Starr said, "Cranberry seems to have components which can prevent the adhesion
of disease-causing bacteria to a number of different sites in the body. Earlier
work indicated that the urinary tract was involved, and the new work tells us
that the oral is involved as well." So, you might say cranberry has benefits
from beginning to end... Cranberries are available fresh only from September
to December. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. But
to enjoy cranberries even in summer, freeze them in their original packaging.
The frozen berries will retain their nutrients for up to nine months.
Cranberry supplements are also available. Doctors recommend comparing
brands to find the one highest in protective nutrients.
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