A recent clinical trial concluded that regular consumption of a certain amount of daily cranberry can lead to potentially long-term benefits for heart health. Those who consume cranberries show significant improvements in flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), which indicates improved heart and blood vessel function.
Cranberry protects the cardiovascular system
Previous studies have shown cardiovascular benefits of cranberry juice consumption, but there was no research on whether cranberry consumption could have lasting vascular benefits in healthy individuals. A research team then conducted this study on 45 healthy men.
The team divided 45 people into two groups and gave the first group frozen and then powdered cranberries, 9 grams per day for 1 month. Those in the other group received a placebo powder designed to be indistinguishable from cranberry powder.
At the end of the study, they found improvements in FMD measurements two hours after the first consumption of cranberry powder and after one month of consumption. They also observed that specific metabolites found in the blood after cranberry consumption were associated with beneficial effects.
The team states that cranberries are an important fruit for the general public in cardiovascular disease prevention.
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Study co-author Christian Heiss, from the University of Surrey, said: “Our findings provide solid evidence that cranberries can significantly affect vascular health, even in people with low cardiovascular risk. This study also shows that specific metabolites found in the blood after cranberry consumption are associated with beneficial effects.” )
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