Cranberries and antioxidants

Antioxidants are compounds that prevent cell damage by countering free reactions in the body.

Cranberries are among some of the finest fruits that are most investigated by scientist for their antioxidative behavior. Since the seventeenth century, cranberries have been used for an assortment of medicinal purposes: stomach ailments, liver problems and blood disorders.

Anthocyanins indeed are key antioxidants in cranberries but in some cases flavonoids and proanthocyanidins (PACs) are stronger antioxidants than anthocyanins and ascorbic acid contributes very little to antioxidants content and activity.

Antioxidants found in cranberries are of special importance and contribute greatly to the wellbeing of the body. PACs inhibit the fimbrial adhesion of bacteria, including Escherichia coli, to the urinary tract epithelium. Of the bacterial cannot adhere, they will be washed away with the flow of urine.

Cranberries are phytochemical phenoms that provide five times the antioxidant content of broccoli due to their high concentration of anthocyanidins. These antioxidants have been shown to inhibit the development of atherosclerosis, cancer and other degenerative disease.

Tannins found in cranberries may also stop ulcers by lowering the ability of Helicobacter pylori to settle in the stomach.
Cranberries and antioxidants

Blueberry may keep cancer away

The blueberry is becoming widely recognized for its health benefits. Blubbery is one of the richest source of anthocyanins that are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Inflammation and Parkinson stress are involved in virtually every major killer disease: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes and heart disease.

There is a very strong evidence that the consumption of anthocyanins reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer and other problems related to aging.

Berry anthocyanins anti-carcinogenic properties appear to stem from their ability to affect multiple mechanisms, including inhibition of cancer promoted enzyme and blocking of activation of cancer growth. 

Blueberry phytochemicals inhibit growth and metastatic potential of breast cancer through modulation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway.

Blueberry also found to inhibit colon cancer cell proliferation and induce cell death. It reduce androgen-dependent growth in prostate cancer cells.

To date anticancer mechanisms suggested for blueberry phytochemicals include:
*Induction of enzymes involved in the detoxification of carcinogens
*Promotion of programmed cell death
*Inhibition of enzymes involved in metastasis

A University of Illinois study, found that wild blueberry showed the greatest anticancer activity.
Blueberry may keep cancer away