Cranberries proven to boost gut health, research suggests

(NaturalHealth365)  Food scientists increasingly explore cranberries’ role in gut health and maintaining a balanced gut microbiome.  Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently found that a specific indigestible carbohydrate in cranberries can nourish and stimulate the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.  Cranberries also exhibit unique metabolic effects in the gut, further promoting overall gut health.

A new study published in NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes (2024) reinforces these findings.  Short-term supplementation with cranberry extract modulated gut microbiota in humans, inducing a bifidogenic effect.  Researchers observed an increase in butyrate-producing bacteria, which contribute to gut and metabolic health.

Special compound in cranberries supports prebiotic activity in the gut microbiome

Food scientists have been paying special attention to prebiotics of late.  Prebiotics refer to molecules that can be consumed but are not digested.  They also promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the gut microbiome.

The foods we eat not only bring a certain level of nutritional benefit; they also either help or hinder the function of our gut microbiome.  It’s worth noting that these bacteria outnumber our bodies’ cells by a substantial amount.

Many plant cell walls cannot be digested, including the special sugars located in the cellular walls of the cranberry called xyloglucans.  However, these xyloglucans find their way into the intestines and gut microbiome.  These ‘beneficial bacteria’ then break them down to create various health-supporting compounds and molecules.

A healthy gut microbiome is crucial to immune system vitality

The study published in NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes involved 28 human participants.  It demonstrated that after just four days of cranberry extract supplementation, there was a significant increase in the abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria, such as Clostridium and Anaerobutyricum.  These bacteria produce butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid essential for maintaining gut integrity and supporting metabolic health.

The study also revealed that the cranberry extract altered the balance of short-chain fatty acids in the gut, with a decrease in acetate and an increase in butyrate, signifying a shift towards a healthier gut environment.  Additionally, participants with microbiomes characterized by Prevotella experienced an increase in Faecalibacterium, a beneficial microbe known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

In the University of Massachusetts Amherst study, researchers extracted and purified xyloglucan from cranberries.  This sugar was then used as the sole carbohydrate to feed bifidobacteria, which are beneficial bacteria naturally found in the human gut.  These bacteria were placed in a controlled, oxygen-free (anaerobic) laboratory environment to study how they responded.  Results showed that bifidobacteria thrived on this cranberry-derived sugar, highlighting its potential role in promoting a healthy gut microbiome.

The researchers found that some of the bifidobacteria could consume xyloglucans and exhibit a special, atypical metabolism when doing so.  They produce formic acid and less lactic acid than what is typically secreted by similar compounds.

Ultimately, this kind of research brings hope that this carbohydrate found in cranberries could eventually become a valuable food additive or supplement.  Remember, when the gut microbiome is ‘out-of-whack,’ it can lead to chronic inflammation and disease.

So, obviously, we want to eat as many foods as we can (each day) to support our gut health.

Pre- and probiotics could hold the key to overall gut health

Although some research indicates a trend toward focusing on prebiotics instead of probiotics for gut health, I wouldn’t count out the value of probiotics too quickly – especially in the age of antibiotics.

Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria introduced into the gut, while prebiotics are compounds already present that nourish and support the growth of these good bacteria.  Prebiotics play a key role in producing essential compounds in our bodies, breaking down substances we can’t digest, protecting against harmful pathogens, and assisting other beneficial microbes in maintaining overall health.

Researchers are already planning future studies to explore the activity of cranberry xyloglucans with other beneficial bacterial strains.  We’ll probably see similar (positive) results.

Sources for this article include:

NIH.gov
Eurekalert.org

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