Cranberry Juice Inhibits Plaque-causing Bacteria

According to a report in the Journal of the American Dental Association, cranberry juice inhibits plaque-causing bacteria from adhering to one another, thus significantly reducing the risk of gum disease.

The study found that when bacteria was submerged in concentrated cranberry juice it did not join to form plaque.

“The cranberry’s anti-adhesion ability is well documented in many previous laboratory and clinical studies, especially as it relates to urinary tract health,” says Ervin I. Weiss, DDS, the lead researcher in the study. “Now, for the first time we have evidence that the cranberry’s anti-adhesion capability could have oral health implications.”

Unfortunately, commercial cranberry juices and cocktails contain a good amount of added sugars to make the drink more palatable to most drinkers. In fact, there is usually enough added sweeteners to counteract any of the cranberry’s beneficial effects.