Got cranberry juice, unsweetened?
This is interesting, but remember that SUGAR and syrups added to any juice means some good may be lost... sugar FEEDS those bacteria. We have long encouraged cranberry juice to help prevent or treat urinary tract infections. Oral mucosa may benefit also. The question is... how was it used? Did those in the study just drink it normally, or sort of 'swish and swallow', as is done with Nystatin, etc for thrush ... interesting, but still leaves questions...
Cranberry Juice Cuts Cavities
Nov. 23, 2005
(WebMD) Cranberry juice curbs cavities, new research shows.
The juice contains a chemical that blocks cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to teeth, scientists report in Caries Research.
"Something in the cranberry juice disarms the pathogens that cause tooth decay," researcher Hyun (Michel) Koo, DDS, PhD, says in a news release.
Koo is an oral biologist at New York's University of Rochester Medical Center.
How Cranberries Work
The tart cranberry is a staple of the Thanksgiving table. It's also well known for its work against urinary tract infections.
"Scientists believe that one of the main ways that cranberries prevent urinary tract infections is by inhibiting the adherence of pathogens on the surface of the bladder," says Koo. This means preventing bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract and tracking back to cause an infection.
"Perhaps the same is true in the mouth, where bacteria use adhesion molecules to hold on to teeth," he continues.
Basically, Koo's team found that cranberry juice thwarted that adhesion process. The cavity-causing bacteria can't do their dirty work without latching onto teeth.
Sour Note
Before you serve extra helpings of cranberry sauce, remember that the studies only included cranberry juice.
What's more, the juice had no sweeteners in it, unlike mainstream cranberry drinks. Koo's team focused on science, not gourmet flavors.
The scientists plan to isolate cranberry's key anticavity chemical, which may one day be used in toothpastes or mouth rinses, states the news release.
Meanwhile, Koo suggests avoiding cavities with simple steps like brushing your teeth, limiting sugary foods, and getting proper dental care.
Sources: Koo, H. Caries Research, January-February 2006; vol 40. News release, University of Rochester Medical Center.
(WebMD) Cranberry juice curbs cavities, new research shows.
The juice contains a chemical that blocks cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to teeth, scientists report in Caries Research.
"Something in the cranberry juice disarms the pathogens that cause tooth decay," researcher Hyun (Michel) Koo, DDS, PhD, says in a news release.
Koo is an oral biologist at New York's University of Rochester Medical Center.
How Cranberries Work
The tart cranberry is a staple of the Thanksgiving table. It's also well known for its work against urinary tract infections.
"Scientists believe that one of the main ways that cranberries prevent urinary tract infections is by inhibiting the adherence of pathogens on the surface of the bladder," says Koo. This means preventing bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract and tracking back to cause an infection.
"Perhaps the same is true in the mouth, where bacteria use adhesion molecules to hold on to teeth," he continues.
Basically, Koo's team found that cranberry juice thwarted that adhesion process. The cavity-causing bacteria can't do their dirty work without latching onto teeth.
Sour Note
Before you serve extra helpings of cranberry sauce, remember that the studies only included cranberry juice.
What's more, the juice had no sweeteners in it, unlike mainstream cranberry drinks. Koo's team focused on science, not gourmet flavors.
The scientists plan to isolate cranberry's key anticavity chemical, which may one day be used in toothpastes or mouth rinses, states the news release.
Meanwhile, Koo suggests avoiding cavities with simple steps like brushing your teeth, limiting sugary foods, and getting proper dental care.
Sources: Koo, H. Caries Research, January-February 2006; vol 40. News release, University of Rochester Medical Center.
By Miranda Hitti
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
© 2005, WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.
posted by WI Catholic @ 11/27/2005 10:48:00 AM
2 Comments:
That is so interesting! And ironic that you posted this while I'm in the midst of fighting a UTI!
I take Cranberry pills because the juice tends to make me nauseated. And sometimes I can knock out an oncoming UTI with lots of water and cranberry pills, but not this time! UGH This is the worst one I've had in a long, long time. Completele with nausea and pain...blah.
UTI's can be very dangerous, so I hope you are now feeling better after seeing the MD!
I have only been seeing cranberry capsules and pills for the past several years being used more and ordered more often by MD's to prevent UTI's. But the juice was something that we were taught WAY back in nursing school... before you were born, sigh.... lol
God bless!
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