Consumption of a low calore cranberry juice cockatil could help lower the risk of chronic diseases including heart disease, diabetes and stroke, say researchers from the Unites States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm-study, performed by USDA researchers in addition to scientists from cranberry juice manufacturer Ocean Spray – examined how consumption of the polyphenol rich cranberry juice affected cardiometabolic risk factors over an eight week period. Writing in the Journal of Nutrition, the team revelaed that the low calorie cranberry juice can inmprove several risk factors of cardiovascular disease in adults – including circulating fasting serum triglycerides, C-reactive protein, and glucose, insulin resistance, and diastolic blood pressure. “These findings suggest that polyphenols help to protect our bodies, and maybe adept at keeping a large number of ailments at bay,” said study co-author Christina Khoo, PhD, director of research sciences at Ocean Spray. “Among the commonly consumed fruits in our diets, cranberries boast some of the highest levels of polyphenols – more than apples, blueberries, grapes or cherries.” The research team noted 10% lower risk of heart disease and 15% lower risk of stroke.
