by Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., President, Produce for Better Health Foundation (NAPSA)—The connection between cranberries and health is longstanding. Folklore has long held that drinking cranberry juice helps to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). The folklore appears to have becomefact in the early 1990s when a study, published in the Journal of the Ameri- can Medical Association, showed that elderly women who drank 10 ounces of cranberry juice cocktail every day significantly reduced bacteria in the urinary tract. It was once widely thought that cranberries helped maintain urinary track health by acidifying the urine. Rather, scientists \\ have identified a bacteria blocking Elizabeth Pivonka mechanism in cran- berries. In 1998, researchers at Rutgers University identified the specific components as proanthocyanidins. This work supports the “anti-stick” theory of how the proanthocyanidins work to promote urinary tract health. A UTI occurs when bacteria attach to the urinary tract wall and multiply. Researchers believe that proanthocyanidins found in cranberry juice cocktail disable certain harmful bacteria, making it difficult for them to stick to the urinary tract and cause an infection. As the global issue of antibiotic resistance becomes more problematic, drinking cranberry juice cocktail every day may be a simple andeffective way to help to maintain urinary tract health. As with any infection, a healthcare professional should be consulted for proper management. Research supports that a serving of cranberry juice cocktail every day will help maintain urinary tract health. Fresh cranberries, dried cranberries and canned cranberry sauce also provide the “anti-stick” benefit. Here are some creative ways to enjoy cranberries on your wayto 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day: Make yourfavorite tea with hot cranberry juice cocktail instead of water. t Chop 1 package of fresh cranberries, 1 diced orange and % cup toasted nuts in a food processor. Sweeten to taste and enjoy with turkey, chicken or pork. Or heat this relish and serve it over Frenchtoast. Melt a 15-o0z. can of jellied cranberry sauce and % cup chocolate chips over medium heat. Stir until smooth and serve over poachedfruit or low-fat ice cream. Cranberry Vanilla Smoothie 4 ounces Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail with Calcium 3 ouncesvanilla-flavored soy milk % banana,cutinto slices % cup raspberries, fresh or frozen \% cup low-fat vanilla yogurt \% cup crushedice Put all ingredients in a blender. Blend for a few seconds on high speed or until ingredients are thoroughly combined. Pour into a glass. Makes1 serving. Nutrition information per serving: Calories 302; Fat 4g; Protein 8g; Chol. 7mg; Sodium 140mg;Vit. C 51mg;Vit. A 126RE; Vit. E 1mg; Calcium 365mg; Iron Img; Folate 19Ug; Pot. 646mg; Dietary exchange: Milk 1, Fruit 3, Fat 0.5. Find this and other recipes in Ocean Spray’s A Taste of Life, a new book with a fresh approach to health for women. Call 1-800662-3263 to order. For information on cranberries and the new white cranberry juice drinks, visit www.oceanspray.com. For information on the 5 A Dayfor Better Health program, visit www.d5aday.com and www.about produce.com. wane nnn ee PL nnn e nee e eee Note to Editors: Thirty-eighth in a series of monthly 5-A-Day columns.
