Ample scientific research is now available to give the picture of what the indigenous North Americans knew: cranberries are good for you!

While the European mariners finally discovered in the 1600´s that scurvy was caused by a Vitamin C deficiency, native North Americans knew that cranberries were all that were necessary to avoid the problem. Lacking in modern medicines, the indigenous people of North America also discovered that cranberry had anti-bacterial properties. Cranberry ointments and poultices were successfully used to help fight wound infection.

Modern medical researchers have devoted a great deal of attention to the cranberry in recent years.

For many generations, and still today, doctors have prescribed to women the regular consumption of cranberry juice in order to prevent and to treat urinary tract infections. The reason for this has been widely investigated, and researchers have determined that the flavonoid compounds called proanthocyanidins, a group of natural  compounds with anti-bacterial properties and very much present in cranberries, are responsible for this beneficial effect. The compound prevents the adhesion to the urinary tract tissue of the bacteria involved in causing the infection. With the realization that both stomach ulcers (caused by the Helycobacter pylori bacteria) and dental plaque have a bacterial cause, studies are now underway to see whether cranberries may be used in order to treat these problems¹.

The powerful antioxidants so highly touted in red wine are also present in large quantities in cranberries. These flavonoids are being looked at in many universities and hospitals for their anti-cancer and heart diseases prevention properties¹.

There is much information available on the internet concerning cranberry research topics currently being investigated. See our Links section to access this fascinating research.
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And while you're waiting for the results of the latest scientific study to determine the best treatment for whatever ails you, why not just sit back and sip a cool, refreshing and healthy glass of cranberry juice?