Scientists have noted the benefits of cranberry juice for dental health
Nutrition affects not only the general condition of the body, but also the health of the teeth. Some products contain substances that can affect bacteria in the oral cavity, which are involved in the formation of plaque and the production of acids that damage the enamel. Scientists have tested how different types of cranberry juice affect the activity of these bacteria in children and adults. The results of the experiment and why it is too early to consider cranberry juice as a means of preventing caries are described in the Izvestia article.
Unsweetened cranberry juice slowed plaque growth
Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago studied the effect of cranberry juice on plaque in 22 people: 14 children and eight adults. Participants were offered unsweetened and 100% natural cranberry juice, a drink with a juice content of 27% and added sugar, or water. Plaque samples were collected before drinking and 30 minutes after. The work was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
The results showed that after consuming natural unsweetened juice, the re-growth of bacteria in plaque samples decreased by an average of 43.93% in adults and by 33.04% in children. In addition, acid production decreased in both groups. A drink with added sugar and water did not show a comparable statistically significant effect.
Kristin Wu, Professor of pediatric Dentistry and author of the study
It was important to conduct these trials with people and use products available on the market. Most studies of cranberry juice have been conducted using an extract prepared in the laboratory. In addition, there have been few studies involving children.
How cranberries affect bacteria
The interest in cranberries is related to the proanthocyanidins contained in them, plant compounds that can prevent certain bacteria from attaching to cells and surfaces. The researchers decided to test whether these substances could affect plaque bacteria that use sugars to produce acids.
Acids reduce the pH level in plaque and contribute to the demineralization of enamel. Therefore, reducing acid production may be important for dental health. In the experiment, after exposure to natural cranberry juice, the bacteria in the plaque samples produced less acids than before consumption.
Kristin Wu
Most people consider cranberry juice to be too sour, tart, and sweet, and therefore believe that it cannot positively affect oral health. This study showed the opposite: cranberry juice affected the re-growth of plaque and acid production, which may counteract some of the effects of sugar exposure.
The results need to be checked
The authors emphasized that the study was small and assessed the short-term effect. The researchers studied changes in bacterial activity in the plaque samples, rather than the incidence of caries in the participants. Therefore, the results do not prove that drinking cranberry juice prevents the disease.
In addition, the effect was observed precisely after drinking unsweetened natural juice. A drink with added sugar has not demonstrated a comparable significant effect on bacterial growth and acid production.
Kristin Wu
Due to the small sample size and short testing period, additional experiments are needed to confirm these results.
The researchers believe that further work will help assess the potential of food products in maintaining oral health. In the meantime, the data obtained should be considered preliminary: larger and longer studies are needed to draw conclusions about the prevention of caries.
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