Cran Naturelle Shows UTI Benefits

QUEBEC CITYAn independent human clinical trial showed particularly significant anti-adhesion properties of cranberry polyphenols for urinary tract health.

The study involved 20 individuals, 10 men and 10 women, who were selected for their inability to produce anti-adhesion compounds in their urine unless they consumed foods that contain phenolic compounds. These subjects are more at risk of contracting urinary tract infections (UTIs) through the adhesion of E. Coli, already within their bodies, to the linings of the urinary tract.

The volunteers were given special diets that contained no polyphenols which exhibited no anti-adhesion compounds in the urine. The subjects were given 1000 mg of Cran Naturelle (from Fruit d'Or Nutraceuticals) and had their urine tested 24 hours post-consumption.

"The conventional testing methods have all been designed for investigating soluble proanthocyanidins typically contained in cranberry juice powder," Stephen Lukawski, director of sales and marketing for Fruit d'Or Nutraceuticals. "This research has revealed that insoluble proanthocyandin activity in the whole cranberry plays an important role in urological health."

The results showed that 70 percent of the participants had clear anti-adhesion activity in their urine within 24 hours of taking the cranberry supplement.

 "Cran Naturelle is characterized by the presence of insoluble proanthocyanidins," said François Cormier, director of research and development at Fruit d'Or Nutraceuticals. "Before conducting this study, the question we had was what was the metabolic activity of these proanthocyanidins once they were ingested? Would some component be released from this matrix to provide some physiological activity? Results confirmed that  the product, once consumed, elicited production of anti-adhesion compounds in patients urine, which helps to protect against colonization of E.coli.

The next area of scientific investigation will likely focus on revealing the mechanism of action of cranberry insoluble proanthocyanidins and fiber in the intestinal environment, specifically interaction with and impact on gut flora, and to potentially discover prevention of E.coli adhesion or colonization within this biological ecosystem prior to E.coli migration to the urogenital tract.

Cormier added, "We will explore whether or not insoluble proanthocyanidins contained within Cran Naturelle can inhibit invasion of uropathogenic E.coli in the intestines, the bacteria that causes the infection but that arises from intestinal flora. If we can control this invasion in the intestines, we may be able to help provide a much better defense against UTIs."