Cranberries are small bright-red berries packed with antioxidants that provide many health benefits. Their powdered form is used as an ingredient in supplement manufacturing.
Cranberry supplements are typically in pill form. Many manufacturers mix them with other ingredients such as vitamin C and probiotics to enhance their effects.
Benefits
1. Reduce Risk of Urinary Tract Infections
Cranberries contain compounds called proanthocyanidins which prevent E. coli bacteria from sticking to your bladder and urethra. (1)
Since proanthocyanidins prevent bacteria from sticking to tissue, it cannot multiply and cause an infection. As a result, cranberry helps prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Multiple studies have concluded the same results: taking cranberry pills daily for two months significantly reduces frequency of UTIs, especially in women. (2, 3, 4)
However, multiple studies suggest that cranberry supplements are not for everyone, as they have no significant benefits for elderly people.
2. Packed With Powerful Antioxidants
In case you didn’t already know, free radicals harm your body. They are directly linked to chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease. (5, 6)
Cranberries are filled with powerful antioxidants that protect your body against free radicals. In fact, cranberries are one the most antioxidant-rich fruits. (7)
Furthermore, some compounds in cranberry are even more effective at fighting free radicals than vitamin E — one of the most powerful antioxidants in our body. (8)
What’s even more great is that cranberry supplements can pack higher concentration of antioxidants than prepared products such as cranberry jelly or cranberry sauce. (9)
3. Improve Heart Health
Ingesting cranberry daily is directly linked to lower heart disease risk.
This reduction occurs because cranberry increases HDL cholesterol (good type of cholesterol) — which results in reduced inflammation and prevention of cholesterol oxidation. (10)
4. Reduce Risk of Stomach Ulcers
Certain compounds in cranberry remove H. pylori bacterial infections in the stomach — which as a result can reduce risk of stomach ulcers. (11)
5. Improve Teeth and Gum
As we mentioned earlier, proanthocyanidins in cranberry prevent bacteria from sticking to your body tissues. What we didn’t mention was that they also stop bacteria from overgrowing inside your mouth — which helps keep your gum and teeth healthy. (11)
Health Issues Associated With Cranberry Deficiency
Since cranberry is filled with powerful antioxidants, it helps reduce oxidative stress. (12)
Oxidative stress is directly linked to chronic and acute illnesses, including:
- Fatal heart diseases
- Parkinson’s disease
- Emphysema
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Stroke
Antioxidants are crucial for your body to function properly. So, a good way to increase antioxidants is by adding cranberry supplements to your diet.
Daily Recommended Intake
Since different brands contain different amounts, there is no standard intake for cranberry.
However, some studies suggest that 500-1,500 milligram of cranberry powder per day helps prevent urinary tract infections and reduces oxidative stress. (13, 14)
Furthermore, a recent study concludes that taking cranberry containing 36 milligrams of proanthocyanidins is ideal for preventing UTIs. (15)
Are you looking for a reliable manufacturing partner to help you create a perfect cranberry supplement tailored for your customers?
Superior can help with all types and forms of cranberry manufacturing. Our goal is to give your business exactly what it needs to succeed: stellar supplements.
Give us a call today to get one step closer to turning your dream supplement into a reality.