Cranberry Extract Benefits Beyond Urinary Tract Health

Dr. Linda J. Dobberstein, DC, Board Certified in Clinical Nutrition

• Cranberries are rich in proanthocyanidins, flavonoids, and vitamin C.
• They are known for urinary tract health, but also benefit heart, brain, gut, and dental health. 
• Cran-Max provides high levels of bioactive compounds and is in Vital UT.

Are cranberries a holiday favorite of yours?  Americans consume an estimated 400 million pounds of cranberries per year. Perhaps you enjoy them throughout the year in your favorite beverage. It’s not just the tickling of your taste buds; cranberries have been popular for decades for health. They’re popular for urinary tract health, but the benefits go far beyond! Read on to learn more about the extraordinary values of this delicious tart berry!

Cranberries Rich in Bioactive Compounds

Cranberries are rich in several bioactive, antioxidant compounds like proanthocyanidins, phenolic acids, flavones, flavonoids, vitamin C, and others. Cranberry is one of only a few fruits abundant in proanthocyanidins, which makes it extremely attractive for urinary tract health.  

Proanthocyanidins (PACs) inhibit the attachment of E. coli to the epithelial cells in the urinary tract. Extensively studied for decades and repeatedly confirmed, cranberry extracts support urinary tract health in adults and children for general health and higher-risk needs. 

The health benefits of cranberry extend beyond urinary tract health. Did you know that cranberries and cranberry extract support your heart, digestive tract, dental health, and brain health too? 

Heart Health 

A heart-healthy diet focuses on cold-water fatty fish, vegetables, dietary fibers, and other whole foods. Make sure to include cranberries with your heart health plan. Research shows the flavonoids and other antioxidants in this berry reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and its movement throughout the circulatory system. Furthermore, these antioxidant activities aid in protection against lipid peroxidation, i.e., inflammatory damage to cholesterol particles. Cranberry extract also assists with circulation, supporting healthy blood pressure and platelet movement.  

Dental Health Benefits

The PACs in cranberry that protect urinary tract health also support dental health. PACs disrupt the adherence of bacteria to teeth and mouth and disrupt the formation of biofilms. These activities help reduce the level of volatile sulfur compounds that contribute to bad breath. Cranberry extracts have also been shown to support gum, jawbone tissues and overall dental health by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1b, IL-6, TNF-a, and MMPs.  

Gastrointestinal Health and Metabolism

Cranberries provide benefits for the gut microbiome and intestinal health in ways that you might not be aware of. Studies show they increase beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium while crowding out less desirable flora. Furthermore, levels of IL-beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha were reduced in the intestinal tract with cranberry extract supplementation, supporting a healthier colonic environment. 

In another study, mice were fed a high-fat/high-sugar diet with or without cranberry extract (200 mg/kg). After 8 weeks, the group that received cranberry supplementation had an increase in Akkermansia, another beneficial gut bacterium with a reduction in visceral fat. Results also showed decreased accumulation of triglycerides, lower oxidative stress in the liver and increased insulin sensitivity. Data from human clinical trials demonstrates improvement in insulin sensitivity and support of healthy cholesterol levels. 

Cranberries and Brain Health

It’s not just blueberries and strawberries for brain health; make room for cranberries! The bioactive nutrients of this fruit provide powerful antioxidant support, helping to manage oxidative stress in the brain. Anthocyanidins in cranberry extract have been found to enhance nerve function and stress tolerance in the brain. 

Studies also demonstrate its ability to inhibit the aggregation of amyloid beta and provide protection to microglial cells. The most notable attenuation of oxidative stress in the body by cranberry extract was found to be in the brain. 

Cran-Max® Cranberry

Cran-Max® is the most clinically studied, clean-label, whole-fruit cranberry concentrate backed by 5 clinical studies. State-of-the-art Bio-Shield™ solvent-free technology provides high levels of bioactive compounds of standardized PACs, flavonoids, and organic acids, derived from the skin, flesh, seeds, and juice of cranberries. 

Cran Max’s patented Bio-Shield technology protects the antioxidants from destruction in the stomach. This allows the anthocyanidins and phenols to be protected and absorbed intact in the intestinal tract. Made in North America, Cran-Max is backed by FDA-approved qualified health claims. 

Cran-Max® Versus Cranberry Cocktail Juice

Cran-Max has more cranberry content than many other supplements and juices on the market, without any added sugar. It takes about 20 pounds of cranberries to make one pound of Cran-Max concentrate. 

It takes seven glasses of cranberry juice cocktail to provide the equivalent of one 500 mg serving of Cran-Max. One 8-ounce serving of Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail has 23 grams of added sugar, nearly the maximum amount in the RDA’s recommendation for added sugar per day.

Vital UT: A Synergistic Blend without Sugar

Wellness Resources Vital UT contains Cran-Max Cranberry whole fruit concentrate (Vaccinium marocarpon) [min. 36mg proanthocyanidins (PACs)] 500 mg. Vital UT also contains D-mannose, mangosteen powder, and Lactospore Bacillus coagulans for stellar urinary tract support. 

•    D-mannose, a type of prebiotic, supports the natural microbiome and nerve signals in the bladder for urinary tract health and comfort. 
•    Mangosteen provides synergistic antioxidant support with its bioactive xanthines and OPCs.
•    LactoSpore probiotics are stable, hardy spore probiotics. This genre of shelf-stable friendly flora can withstand the digestive process and adhere to and colonize the mucosal lining of the gut, urinary tract, and genital region, crowding out non-beneficial bacteria.

Cranberry muffins, cocktails, and cranberry jellies provide delicious flavors but lack the heavy-duty health support of Cran-Max. Cran-Max in Vital UT is a superior choice for your health!