Whether you drink their juice everyday, eat them fresh or dried or use up your Christmas jar of cranberry sauce in your turkey sandwiches, a substantial body of research shows that the unique anti-adhesion properties of the cranberry’s proanthocyanidins, or PACs, can prevent harmful bacteria from sticking to the mouth as well as the stomach and urinary tract. The fact that many flu and cold viruses enter via the mouth area means their antibacterial action provides a defensive barrier with daily consumption. Bacterial protection may actually be more extensive than this.

A preliminary laboratory study has found that components in cranberries can prevent certain type-A and type-B flu viruses from attaching to host cells, where they can go on to cause subsequent infections, such as in the chest. More research is expected in this area, but the indications are that cranberries may help to shorten recovery time and prevent more harmful secondary infections. Cranberries are proven to have a dual health benefit. In addition to fighting bacteria, cranberry PACs also function as powerful antioxidants. With far more PACs per gram than many other fruits, cranberries bolster the body’s defences against free radical damage, which can contribute to many chronic diseases, including heart disease.

Drinking a glass or two of cranberry juice a day can be part of your all-round new year health kick. Ocean Spray cranberry juices, which contain a higher percentage of cranberry juice than supermarket own brands, can help you to:
Build up cold immunity – the vitamin C in cranberry juice provides a nutritional immunity boost, helping to keep you healthy and fit through the cold and flu-prone winter months. Stay heart healthy – a pilot clinical study has found that the cranberry boosts good cholesterol and shields the heart with its unique antioxidant power.

Keep up with your five-a-day – drinking cranberry juice is a quick and effortless way to get one healthy serving of fruit each day. A growing body of research has shown that people who eat more fruit and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Support your new year weight loss mission – Ocean Spray’s Cranberry Classic Light contains less sugar and can help you lose weight as part of a calorie controlled diet. It contains all the antioxidant and anti-adhesion health benefits of cranberry, with half the calories of most juices and alcoholic drinks. A 250ml glass of Ocean Spray’s Cranberry Classic contains just as many bacteria-fighting PACs as 40g of sweetened dried cranberries and 90g of cranberry sauce, so drink to your own health.