CRANBERRY JUICE IMPROVES GOOD CHOLESTEROL

(October 2004) Research shows that cranberry juice may be just as good as red wine and grape juice for improving heart health. Scientists say that cranberry juice not only helps fight urinary tract infections, but might have a positive effect on the heart as well.

A recent 12-week study, looked at 30 men, aged 18 to 70 who were slightly overweight, had an elevated LDL level (bad cholesterol), and were not taking medication. After the participants consumed a glass of a light cranberry cocktail, their HDL (good cholesterol) cholesterol rose by 8 per cent. Dr. Charles Couillard, lead researcher of the study at Laval University in Quebec City, suggested that drinking a daily glass of light cranberry juice will increase the good cholesterol found in the blood. "Now, drinking a glass of cranberry juice on a daily basis is certainly a good nutritional habit to adopt, but to maximize the benefits of drinking cranberry juice, you will have to get more active and also eat less fat," says Dr. Couillard.

This study was presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Society’s Annual Congress in Calgary, Alberta.

For more information, please go to www.nutraingredients.com