Cranberry Extract Fights Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, New Research Finds Out

Cranberry Extract Fights Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, New Research Finds Out
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New research found that the bioactive cranberry extract composition makes the human become more receptive to smaller quantities of antibiotics. The study, issued in the journal Advanced Science, documented the bacteria when administered antibiotics and cranberry extract​, and discovered that the microorganisms don’t turn into antibiotic-resistant bacteria or so-called superbugs.

Professor Nathalie Tufenkji and her team from McGill University stated that they want to reduce the quantities of antibiotics needed in human and veterinary medicine as one of the components of many efforts to combat antibiotic intransigence.

Because of the commonly believed theory that drinking cranberry juice is helpful when one is battling with urinary tract infections, professor Tufenkji’s team wanted to discover more about the cranberry’s molecular characteristics by treating different pathogens with cranberry extract. The bacteria chosen for this research were those guilty for urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and gastroenteritis, namely Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli.​

Cranberry Extract Fights Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Professor Tufenkiji said that typically when the bacteria gets treated with an antibiotic in the lab, the pathogen ultimately gains resistance over some time. The team then treated the pathogen with an antibiotic and the cranberry extract at the same time and observed that the bacteria hadn’t acquired resistance. The research team was quite surprised by this, and they noted that this is a great opportunity.

Observations showed that the cranberry extract grows bacterial responsiveness to antibiotics by acting in two particular ways. First, it makes the bacterial molecule wall more receptive to the medicine, and second, it meddles with the system utilized by the bacteria to push out the antibiotic. As a result, the antibiotic permeates without much difficulty, and the pathogen has a difficult time disposing of it, which gives a reason for the drug being effective in smaller doses.

Professor Éric Déziel, from the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, said that the process is produced by molecules known as ‘proanthocyanidins​.’ He also noted that there are many different types of proanthocyanidins​, and they may cooperate to produce this result. The scientists will have to conduct more research to conclude which ones are the most active in coaction with the antibiotic.


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Anna is an avid blogger with an educational background in medicine and mental health. She is a generalist with many other interests including nutrition, women's health, astronomy and photography. In her free time from work and writing, Anna enjoys nature walks, reading, and listening to jazz and classical music.

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