Home Health

Berry good for you

Berry good for you

Cranberries are well-known for their ability to treat urinary infections, but just how they did so has been a mystery till now.

Research from Massachusetts Worcester Polytechnic Institute (www.wpi.edu) has demonstrated how tannins in cranberries interact with E. coli bacteria at a molecular level, creating an ‘energy barrier’ that actually stops the bacteria from getting too close to the urinary tract lining.

Better yet, these compounds are effective against other E. coli-driven infections, including gastroenteritis, kidney infections and tooth decay. To obtain optimum benefits, choose the whole fruit (www.creativegourmet.com.au), which has more fibre and antioxidants than juice. If you do buy juice, opt for a low-sugar variety.

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