Cranberry juice

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Cranberry juice 'reduces heart disease risk'

 

Researchers have found cranberry juice may combat heart disease by raising levels of "good" cholesterol and antioxidants.

 

A US study suggests that drinking three glasses of cranberry juice a day could reduce heart disease risk by 40%.

 

A group of 19 volunteers with high cholesterol were given between one and three glasses of juice a day over a period of three months.

 

Scientists found that three servings appeared to increase levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by an average of 10%.

 

HDL is known as "good" cholesterol because unlike "bad" low density lipoprotein it protects against heart disease.

 

The increase corresponded to a reduction in heart disease risk of about 40%, based on known epidemiological data.

 

At the same time the researchers found that the amount of antioxidants available to the body increased by up to 121% after two or three glasses of cranberry juice a day.

 

Antioxidants mop up dangerous atomic particles called free radicals and are also known to reduce the risk of heart disease, as well as cancer.

 

Professor Joe Vinson, from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, who led the research, said: "This study gives consumers another reason to consider drinking cranberry juice, which has more health benefits than previously believed."

 

He now plans to test the effect of cranberry juice on volunteers with normal cholesterol levels.

 

 

Story filed: 06:11 Tuesday 25th March 2003