Cranberry extracts have shown promising effects in improving intestinal microbiota and preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, according to a study by Université Laval and the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF). Led by Yves Desjardins, professor at the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, the research highlighted significant benefits observed after just four days of cranberry extract consumption.
Known for their high polyphenol content, particularly tannins, cranberries are also rich in oligosaccharides, tiny fibres believed to contribute to their bioactivity. The study demonstrated that these compounds in cranberry extract could stimulate the genus Bifidobacterium, which is known to reduce the risk of metabolic diseases. Jacob Lessard-Lord, a postdoctoral fellow at INAF, noted that cranberry extract effectively boosted these beneficial bacteria even at a dosage nearly 20 times lower than typical dietary fibre intake.
Furthermore, cranberry extracts enhanced the presence of Akkermansia muciniphila, a bacterium crucial for intestinal mucosa health. This enhancement is significant as it helps reduce inflammation and strengthens the intestinal barrier, which protects against the harmful effects of a Western diet. Yves Desjardins explained that a compromised intestinal barrier allows harmful substances like lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from gut bacteria to enter the body, leading to chronic inflammation and metabolic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
The study involved approximately forty participants from INAF who consumed a cranberry supplement twice daily, equivalent to 60 grams of fresh cranberries. Plasma, urine, and stool samples collected before and after the four-day trial indicated positive effects on the participants’ microbiota and inflammatory markers. The initial success in human trials followed promising results in the SHIME in vitro system, which models various regions of the intestine.
Looking ahead, the research team aims to investigate the long-term effects of cranberry extracts and explore individual variations in microbiota response. Jacob Lessard-Lord expressed optimism about the immediate benefits observed and looks forward to further understanding how different microbiota signatures interact with cranberry extracts.
Incorporating cranberry extracts into a balanced diet has the potential to modify inflammatory pathways and improve the prognosis of chronic diseases. By stimulating beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia muciniphila and Bifidobacterium, cranberry extracts promote a healthier gut microbiota environment. Thus, they offer a promising avenue for enhancing intestinal barrier function and mitigating the risks associated with metabolic diseases. Future research will shed light on personalised responses to these extracts, paving the way for targeted dietary disease prevention and management interventions.
More information: Jacob Lessard-Lord et al, Short term supplementation with cranberry extract modulates gut microbiota in human and displays a bifidogenic effect, npj Biofilms and Microbiomes. DOI: 10.1038/s41522-024-00493-w
Journal information: npj Biofilms and Microbiomes Provided by Laval University
