Cranberry Juice and Cholesterol

A Novel Strategy for Enhancing "Good" Cholesterol Levels

Nov 5, 2008 Alicia Richardson

Low HDL level is an independent marker for heart disease. New studies show that cranberry juice can be cardioprotective.

Red cranberries (Vaccinum macrocarpon or Vaccinum erythrocarpon) are low growing vines found in acidic bogs throughout the cooler regions of the Northern hemisphere including North America, Asia, and Europe. As a valuable food source, they contain:

• 6 nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water.
• 4 vitamins: Vitamin C, B1, Niacin, and Folate
• 16 minerals: aluminum, cadmium, calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium, sodium, sulfur, and zinc.
• 28 phytochemicals or plant chemicals with potent biologic activities.

According to Ruel, lead researcher at Laval University in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, polyphenolic compounds from cranberries may be responsible for increasing plasma HDL levels in their subjects. Their study was published in the 2007 issue of the British Journal of Nutrition.

In this trial, 30 men with abdominal obesity consumed increasing amounts of low-calorie cranberry juice from 1/2 cup (125 ml) to 1 cup (250 ml) to 2 cups (500 ml) for over 16 weeks. The beverage contained 27% pure juice. The subjects' BMI, waist and hip circumferences, and lipid profiles were checked every 4 weeks. The participants had no family history of heart disease; are non-smokers; not on vitamin or medication to influence serum lipids (blood fats).

Results showed a 7.6% increase in HDL cholesterol and an increase in apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1). ApoA1 is a protein that binds to fats. Its main function is to carry lipids in the blood and other body fluids and high levels of ApoA1 suggest lower risk of heart disease. ApoA1 also activates lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT), an enzyme responsible for new HDL synthesis. In normal plasma, ApoA1 levels range from 90-130 mg/100 ml of blood. The normal HDL range is 0.9 mmol/L - 2.00 mmol/ L of blood.

Investigators also noted a temporary increase in plasma antioxidant capacity, possibly due to cranberry's high "ORAC" value. Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) is a method of determining the antioxidant capacity of different foods. High numbers means greater potency. The subjects also showed "shrinking" waistlines.

Warning:

Blood thinners like Warfarin, Coumadin, and Jantoven may adversely interact with cranberry juice and promote increased bleeding time. Cranberry juice contains flavonoids known to inhibit "cytochromeP450" enzymes. Since warfarin is metabolized by CYP2C9, its combination with cranberry juice may lead to excessive bleeding.

References;

1. Ruel G et al. "Favorable Effects of Low-calorie Cranberry Juice on Plasma HDL Cholesterol Concentrations in Obese Men." Br J Nutrition 2006 Aug.; 96(2):357-64
2. Caron AD et al. "Cholesterol Lowering Effect of Low-calorie cranberry juice in Humans." FASEB J 2005;19 A1009-1010

The copyright of the article Cranberry Juice and Cholesterol in Health Field is owned by Alicia Richardson. Permission to republish Cranberry Juice and Cholesterol in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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