Phytochemicals of Cranberries and Cranberry Products: Characterization, Potential Health Effects, and Processing Stability

Abstract

Emerging evidence is elucidating how non-nutrient phytochemicals underlie the health promotion afforded by fruits and vegetables. This review focuses on Vaccinium macrocarpon, the American cranberry, compiling a comprehensive list of its known phytochemical components, and detailing their prevalence in cranberry fruit and its products. Flavonoids, especially colored anthocyanins, abundant flavonols, and unique proanthocyanidins, have attracted major research attention. Other notable active components include phenolic acids, benzoates, hydroxycinnamic acids, terpenes and organic acids. Health effects of cranberries, cranberry products, and isolated cranberry components in humans and animals, as well as in vitro, are debated. Evidence for protection from several bacterial pathogens, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and inflammation is compelling, while neuroprotection and anti-viral activity also have begun to draw new consideration. Emerging bioavailability data is considered and potential molecular mechanisms are evaluated, linking phytochemicals to health effects through their biochemical properties and reactions. Finally, the effects of processing and storage on cranberry phytochemicals is discussed, with a focus on identifying research gaps and novel means to preserve their natural, health-promoting components.

Keywords:

• anthocyanins
• proanthocyanidins
• flavonols
• phenols
• urinary tract infections
• cancer
• inflammation
• absorption

Notes

¹ Odds ratios were calculated from comparison of regression curves relating various dietary fators to UTI incidence for subjects with previous UTIs compared to paired sunjects without previous UTIs. For specific fruit comparisons, an OR of 1 was the risk assigned to subjects who never consumed the fruit.

*denotes samples hydroyzed prior to analysis;

**denotes increase from basal levels;

***plasma collected after overnight fasting.

*Results from urine analyses on final day of treatment; urinary concentrations expressed relative to creatinine to account for variation in urinary volume; reported as difference between treatment and placebo levels. These could not be converted to absolute concentrations because urinary volumes were not available.