American Cranberry
Scientific Name: Cranberry
Other Names: Arandano, Mossberry, Vaccinium species
Should I take it?
Although a number of different types of cranberries or similar berries grow wild in most cool parts of the world, the most commonly cultivated species of cranberry is one of the few fruits that originated in North America. Cranberries of this type are now grown commercially in New England, other northern states, and Canada. They are the round, bright red berries common in the cranberry sauce or relish that is often served at Thanksgiving dinner. They grow on perennial bushy vines that keep their leaves all year, although the leaves turn brown during the winter. Up to 6 feet long, these cranberry vines have short stems that produce light pink flowers in the spring. Ripe berries are harvested in the fall -- usually after the areas where they grow are flooded with water. Because cranberries float, they are easily shaken from the bushes into the water and then gathered into nets and taken to processing plants. During the winter, the fields remain flooded, the water freezes, and the ice serves as insulation for the plants.
Cranberries were originally named "craneberries" by early New England settlers, possibly due to a supposed resemblance of the flower to the head of the cranes that lived along the coast. Over the years, the name was shortened to "cranberries". Native People used cranberries for food and also for a red dye. In the 1700s, cranberries were recognized as a source of vitamin C and sailors carried them on shipboard to prevent the vitamin C deficiency condition known as scurvy. The berries are now used mainly as food but also as medicine. Because the berries are sour, many foods and drinks made from them contain large amounts of sugar.
Dosage and Administration
Nutritionally, one serving is considered to be about one-half cup (55 grams) of cranberries, about 6 ounces (180 ml) of pure cranberry juice, or about 18 ounces (540 ml) of cranberry juice cocktail. Commercially available cranberry drinks--usually designated as "cocktails"--are only about 35% pure juice. Because cranberry juice is so sour, it is usually diluted with water and sweetened to be acceptable as a beverage. In studies, daily doses of cranberry juice cocktail have ranged from about one ounce (30 ml) to 10 ounces (300 ml) for preventing UTI or 3 ounces (90 ml) to 6 ounces (180 ml) for lessening urine odor. Fresh cranberries may be substituted for pure cranberry juice at a ratio of about one ounce of cranberries to 3 ounces of juice.
Although no standard dose for cranberry supplementation is reported in scientific literature, dried cranberry juice concentrate may be available as capsules or tablets, which are generally taken in doses of 300 mg or 400 mg twice a day.
Summary
Chemicals in cranberries may prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract, thereby decreasing the chance of urinary tract infections. They may also reduce the ammonia odor of urine. Antioxidant effects associated with cranberries may also help protect against heart disease, high cholesterol, and cancer.
Risks
Oxalates in cranberries may cause some types of kidney stones. Individuals with diabetes should avoid commercial cranberry products because they usually contain high amounts of sugar.
Side Effects
Drinking extremely large quantities of cranberry juice cocktail has been associated with gastrointestinal upset.
Interactions
Cranberries may alter the effects of warfarin.
Last Revised October 10, 2007
|
Should I take it? 
