Nov 14, 2017

$10M committed for cranberry health benefits research

Cranberry grower-owned cooperative Ocean Spray will invest more than $10 million over the next five years into researching health benefits of consuming the tart red berries.

The research will target the cranberry’s antimicrobial benefits.

“With antibiotic resistance on track to kill more people than cancer, the World Health Organization has called on government sectors and society to take action on this serious threat to global public health,” said Randy Papadellis, president and chief executive officer of Ocean Spray. “We want to be sure that Ocean Spray does our part to look at all the components of this one-of-a-kind fruit and how it can contribute to whole-body health.”

In addition to its research commitment, Ocean Spray will launch the Ocean Spray Cranberry Health Institute in 2018.

Besides helping consumers meet their recommended daily intake of fruit, cranberries may reduce the occurrence of certain infections in the urinary tract and stomach. This is increasingly important, as scientists around the world explore alternative strategies to antibiotics, including nutritional approaches to prevent infections.

A release from Ocean Spray quoted Dr. Jennifer Berman, an author, educator and urological surgeon.

“One of the best ways to avoid antibiotic use is by preventing the infections that are no longer responding consistently to them,” Berman said. “Research shows that a glass of cranberry juice daily can reduce symptomatic urinary tract infections. This is simple but powerful information. On its own, it may be a useful strategy to decrease the worldwide use of antibiotics.”

Ocean Spray Cranberries is an agricultural cooperative owned by more than 700 cranberry and grapefruit growers in the United States, Canada and Chile.