Health Benefits Of Cranberries (But: You'd Better Watch Out)

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Today’s 30-Second Summary

If you don’t have time to read the whole email today, here are some key takeaways:

• Cranberries—even more than most berries—are packed full of very healthy phytochemicals that have an array of powerful health benefits.

  • However, sugary drinks and jellies remain unhealthy!

  • Additionally, you might want to be careful about cranberry consumption if you are taking warfarin, or have certain kidney problems (data is mixed in this latter case—we present the various sides in today’s main feature).

• Doesn’t it feel a bit brutal sometimes when the dentist is scraping off plaque?

  • Today’s sponsor, LIVFRESH, have developed a gel that safely dissolves plaque without harming the teeth or gums (this is such an impressive breakthrough that we included a link to the actual science in the sponsor section; check it out!)

Read on to learn about these things and more…

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💊 MAIN FEATURE

Health Benefits Of Cranberries (But: You'd Better Watch Out)

We’re going to keep this short today, because “eat berries” is probably something you know already, but there are some things you should be aware of!

The benefits

Cranberries, even more than most berries, are full of polyphenols and flavonoids that do “those three things that usually come together”: antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory properties, and anti-cancer properties

Unsurprisingly, this also means they’re good for the immune system and thus quite a boon in flu season:

Consumption of cranberry polyphenols enhances human γδ-T cell proliferation and reduces the number of symptoms associated with colds and influenza: a randomized, placebo-controlled intervention study

They’re also good for heart health:

The effects of cranberry on cardiovascular metabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis 

Perhaps the most popular reason people take cranberry supplements, though, is their effectiveness at prevention of urinary tract infections:

Cranberry-containing products for prevention of urinary tract infections in susceptible populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials 

Indeed, their effectiveness is such that researchers have considered them a putative alternative to antibiotics, particularly in individuals with recurrent UTIs:

Can Cranberries Contribute to Reduce the Incidence of Urinary Tract Infections? A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of Clinical Trials 

Is it safe?

Cranberries are generally considered a very healthful food. However, there are two known possible exceptions:

If you are taking warfarin, it is possible that cranberry consumption may cause additional anti-clotting effects that you don’t want.

If you are at increased risk of kidney stones, the science is currently unclear as to whether this will help or hinder:

• Influence of cranberry juice on the urinary risk factors for calcium oxalate kidney stone formation ← this one concluded “Cranberry juice has antilithogenic properties and, as such, deserves consideration as a conservative therapeutic protocol in managing calcium oxalate urolithiasis”

• Dietary supplementation with cranberry concentrate tablets may increase the risk of nephrolithiasis ← this one, as you can see, concluded the opposite

• Safety of Cranberry: Evaluation of Evidence of Kidney Stone Formation and Botanical Drug-Interactions ← this one acknowledges “contradictory data regarding the role of cranberry in kidney stone formation”

Where can I get some?

You can probably buy fresh, frozen, or dried cranberries from wherever you normally do your grocery shopping.

However, if you prefer to take it in supplement form, then here’s an example product on Amazon 😎

Enjoy!

❤️ OUR SPONSORS MAKE THIS PUBLICATION POSSIBLE

Dissolve plaque, without harming teeth/gums

LIVFRESH make some bold claims:

• ❝We have made the first breakthrough in the dental industry since 1914.❞

• ❝LIVFRESH performs 250% better at removing plaque than a market leader❞

The first claim is about using molecular nanotechnology instead of abrasion, to remove plaque. The claim is worded a little strongly, but it genuinely is a major breakthrough.

The second claim... We love randomized clinical trials! So we looked it up, and found it:

Effects of a Dental Gel Over 6 Months on Periodontal Health in Subjects with Stage II and III (Mild and Moderate) Periodontitis

Now, the sample size was small (33), but the results were overwhelmingly positive. And the test group had a worse gingival index than control, before starting—and much better afterwards:

In other words, the competition was stacked against the product, and it still won clear. With this in mind, we're very happy to recommend LIVFRESH's edathamil*-based dental gel!

*That's their patented formula that breaks down plaque on a molecular level, without damaging teeth.

It comes in multiple flavors, so you get two links today:

Peppermint Dental Gel | Wintergreen Dental Gel

If you're unsure which to go for, we recommend the peppermint, as it has fewer ingredients, and is a true gel rather than a foaming gel.

PS: 10almonds subscribers can use code DENTAL20 for 20% off at checkout 😎

Please do visit our sponsors—they help keep 10almonds free

🌎 AROUND THE WEB

What’s happening in the health world…

• Overfed and undernourished: what is malnutrition and nutrient deficiency?

• Improving brain-interfacing electrode arrays with shape-shifting approach

• Overeating at Christmas can cause weight gain—but that doesn't necessarily mean it's permanent

• Why IBD is so hard to treat—and how scientists are making progress

• HIV drugs might help prevent multiple sclerosis, large new study suggests

• Could ADHD be diagnosed genetically?

• New study shows that wood heaters are responsible for dozens of avoidable deaths in the ACT each year

More to come tomorrow!

Wishing a merry Christmas to all who are celebrating, and a great start-of-the-week to everyone else,

The 10almonds Team