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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #307214
Title: Cranberries and their bioactive constituents in human health

Author
item BLUMBERG, JEFFREY - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item CAMESANO, TERRI - Worcester Polytechnical Institute
item CASSIDY, AEDIN - University Of East Anglia
item KRIS-ETHERTON, PENNY - Pennsylvania State University
item HOWELL, AMY - Rutgers University
item MANACH, CLAUDINE - Institut National De La Recherche Agronomique Du Niger (INRAN)
item OSTERTAG, LUISA - University Of East Anglia
item SIES, HELMUT - Heinrich-Heine University
item SKULAS-RAY, ANN - Pennsylvania State University
item VITA, JOSEPH - Boston University

Submitted to: Advances in Nutrition
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/11/2013
Publication Date: 11/1/2013
Citation: Blumberg, J.B., Camesano, T.A., Cassidy, A., Kris-Etherton, P., Howell, A., Manach, C., Ostertag, L., Sies, H., Skulas-Ray, A., Vita, J. 2013. Cranberries and their bioactive constituents in human health. Advances in Nutrition. 4:618-632.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Recent observational and clinical studies have raised interest in the potential health effects of cranberry consumption, an association that appears due to the phytochemical content of this fruit. The profile of cranberry bioactives is distinct from other berry fruit, being rich in A-type proanthocyanidins in contrast to the B-type proanthocyanidins present in most other fruit. Basic research has suggested a number of potential mechanisms of action of cranberry bioactives, though further molecular studies are necessary. Human studies on the health effects of cranberry products have focused principally on urinary tract and cardiovascular health with some attention also directed to oral health and gastrointestinal epithelia. Evidence suggesting cranberries may reduce the recurrence of urinary tract infections is important as a nutritional approach to this condition could reduce the use of antibiotic treatment and the consequent development of resistance to these drugs. There is encouraging, but limited, evidence of a cardioprotective effect of cranberries mediated via actions on antioxidant capacity and lipoprotein profiles. The mixed outcomes from clinical studies with cranberry products could result from interventions testing a variety of products, often uncharacterized in their composition of bioactives, using different doses and regimens, as well as the absence of a biomarker for compliance to the protocol. Daily consumption of a variety of fruit is necessary to achieve a healthy dietary pattern, meet recommendations for micronutrient intake, and promote the intake of a diversity of phytochemicals. Berry fruit, including cranberries, represent a rich source of phenolic bioactives that may contribute to human health.