Cranberries help contain infection
Posted on: 31/Oct/2016 4:11:50 PM
New research has found that cranberry extract has the potential to interrupt communication between harmful bacteria thus stopping spread of infections and paving way to developing alternative approaches in controlling infections. The results were published in Scientific Reports.
Speaking about this, the researchers said, Cranberry PACs interrupt the ability for bacteria to communicate with each other, spread and become virulent -- a process known as quorum sensing. This unique anti-adhesive activity is primarily due to a natural compound in the fruit called proanthocyanidins, or PACs. PACs can aid in controlling the virulence or spread of potentially dangerous bacterial infections around the world. The cranberry extract successfully interferes with the chain of events associated with the spread and severity of chronic bacterial infections. In essence, the cranberry extract reduced the severity of the bacterial infection. This means that cranberries could be part of the arsenal used to manage infections and potentially minimise the dependence on antibiotics for the global public.
