The Health Benefits of Cranberries and Cranberry Products
Current Cranberry Institute Sponsored Research, 2000-01

The CI, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Cranberry Board, is currently funding 15 research projects on the health benefits of eating cranberries or cranberry products.  Jere Downing, Executive Director, provides leadership for the management and communication of research results.  The Cranberry Institute is also a resource for published reports and general information on topics related to cranberry consumption and human health.  The research projects, listed below, address such topics as cardiovascular health, antioxidant capacity and diabetes.

Quick index

Cranberry and anti-aging
Cranberry and maintaining a healthy heart 
Cranberry's powerful antioxidants
Cranberry and diabetes
Anti-cancer potential of cranberry

Cranberry and anti-aging

• Cranberry polyphenolic consumption ameliorates age-related inflammatory induced losses in memory and learning, Dr. James Joseph, USDA/Tufts University.  Assesses the benefit of cranberry to reduce age-related inflammation impairments to memory and the ability of lab animals to perform balance and coordination tasks.
  
  

• Potential benefits of cranberry consumption against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, Dr. James Joseph, USDA/Tufts University. Provides new insights to the potential of cranberry to protect against development of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
  
  

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Cranberry and heart health

• Assessment of the effects of consumption of cranberry juice on antioxidant status and biochemical indices relating to heart disease and cancer, Dr. Gary Duthie, Rowett Research Institute.  To assess whether daily consumption of cranberry juice by healthy subjects improves antioxidant capacity of plasma, decreases indices of DNA damage, and moderates biochemical markers of susceptibility to coronary heart disease.
  
  

•  Does cranberry juice consumption promote improved blood flow? (Part 1), Dr. Ted Wilson, UW-LaCrosse. One documented effect of red wine and Concord grape juice is improved blood flow to the heart.  This helps prevent heart disease.  Similar results, based on preliminary results by the researcher, are expected from cranberry consumption.
  
  

• Does cranberry juice consumption promote improved blood flow? (Part 2), Dr. Ted Wilson, UW-LaCrosse.  Verify beneficial blood flow effects after a four day period of cranberry juice consumption, as suggested by last year’s trials, collect 4-day consumption data to support the anti-blood clotting observations, study the effect in a population known to be at risk for blood flow problems.
  
  

• Long-term supplementation with high doses of cranberry juice to normal and hypercholesterolemic subjects: effect on heart disease, Dr. Joe Vinson, University of Scranton. Evaluate the high quantity and quality antioxidants in cranberry juice, that provide an increase in plasma antioxidant capacity, when consumed at high doses for a beneficial effect with respect to risk of heart disease.
  
  

• Short-term human study of the antioxidant properties of cranberry products, Dr. Joseph Vinson, Scranton University. Measures the antioxidant effect of cranberry on human blood plasma.  The effect, as documented in red wine, may reduce the risk of heart disease.
  
  

• Effectiveness of cranberries on atherosclerosis, Dr. Joseph Vinson, Scranton University. Results will indicate potential of cranberry to help reduce arterial plaque formation in humans.

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Cranberry antioxidants

• Determination of the bioavailability of carotenoids in cranberries and support of materials aimed to increase cranberry consumption, Dr. Sherry Tanumihardjo, UW-Madison. Determine the bioavailability of the carotenoids in the cranberry by doing a rodent feeding study using dehydrated sweetened cranberries.
  
  

• Evaluation of biologically active components in cranberries (Part 1), Dr. Leslie Plhak, UW-Madison. Screens cranberry fruit and leaf extracts for antioxidant activity, immune-stimulating response and anti-bacterial power.
  
  

• Evaluation of biologically active components in cranberries (Part 2), Dr. Leslie Plhak, UW-Madison.  Evaluate cranberry extracts in preventing oxidative stress in cell cultures, inhibiting LDL-stimulation of macrophage-foam cell conversion, and in detoxification activities.
  
  

• Catalogue of health-promoting components in cranberry, Dr. Elizabeth Pivonka, Produce for Better Health Foundation. Quantifies health-promoting components in cranberry and measures antioxidant capacity of cranberries.
  
  

• Determine quantity and quality of antioxidants in cranberries, Dr. Joseph Vinson, Scranton University. Measures and shows effect of cranberry antioxidant activity on blood chemistry parameters thought to be beneficial for cardiovascular health.
  
  

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Cranberry and diabetes

• Can cranberry supplementation reduce risks for diabetics? Dr. Mary Ellen Camire, University of Maine. This study is expected to demonstrate that cranberry products can improve the health status of diabetics in multiple ways, including reducing blood glucose and fat levels.

Cranberry anticancer properties

• Antioxidant and anticancer activities of cranberry, Dr. Rui Hai Liu, Cornell. Determine the ability of cranberry extract and phytochemicals to inhibit cell proliferation in a colon cancer cell culture model and a liver cancer cell culture model in vitro.