Eating Cranberries Can Improve Gut, Heart And Brain Health, Study Finds

Cranberries have long been known to be best for the urinary tract and protect the gut, cardiovascular system, immune system, even the brain. However, a recent study has revealed that this tiny fruit can boost your metabolism and manage diabetes, and could help strengthen the digestive system and protect the body against infection.

According to Medical Daily, the study's goal is to analyze specific compounds found in cranberries that could affect the entire human body. These compounds, polyphenols and antioxidants, have already been linked to a list of health benefits like improving kidney function, heart health, and circulation.

Polyphenols are anti-inflammatory, and are also present in other foods and beverages like green tea, coffee, and red wine. Most berries like raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, plums, and black elderberries are also high in polyphenols.

"The bioactives in cranberry juice, dried cranberries and a variety of other cranberry sources have been shown to promote an array of beneficial health effects," said Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg, of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, in a press release.

"Given the complex nature and diversity of compounds found in berry fruits and how they interact with each other, I believe we have only scratched the surface when it comes to identifying the potential power of the cranberry."

The Economic Times reported that the research has revealed that the tiny berry fruit may be potentially helpful in strengthening the gut defense system and protect it against infection. Also, the fruit's effect on cardiovascular health and glucose management was addressed in the study and established potential connections.

Researchers also found that cranberry products could have a beneficial effect on the blood pressure, circulation, and blood lipid levels. More specifically, low-calorie and unsweetened cranberry juice or dried cranberries showed the ability to manage blood sugar, or glucose, for people with type 2 diabetes, mirror.co.uk reported.

"It has been established that cranberries rank high among the berry fruits that are rich in health-promoting polyphenols," said Dr. Blumberg. "But now, recent investigations have shown that the cranberry polyphenols may interact with other bioactive compounds in cranberries that could protect the gut microbiota.

"[These could] provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions that benefit the cardiovascular system, metabolism and immune function." Dr. Blumberg added.

More research will be needed to determine the full effect of cranberries, but for now people can stick to dried cranberries or unsweetened cranberry juice to enjoy the potential benefits of those antioxidants.