Cranberry Sauce May Be Healthy Treat

Compounds in cranberries may be able to protect against E. coli bacteria, — which cause a number of human health problems, including gastroenteritis, kidney infections and tooth decay — say researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts.  Among their findings:

• Chemical changes caused by cranberry juice create an energy barrier that prevents bacteria from getting close to the urinary tract lining.

• Cranberry juice causes compression of tiny tendrils on the surface of the type of E. coli that causes the most serious types of UTIs. Compression of these tendrils reduces the bacteria’s ability to attach to the urinary tract lining.

• E. coli grown in cranberry juice or in PACs can’t form biofilms, which contain high concentrations of bacteria and are required for infections to develop.

So, today, have an extra helping of cranberries with your well-cooked turkey.