In The News: More Interesting Info From The Cranberry Institute and Great Holiday Tips!

Check out this awesome info just sent to me from the Cranberry Institute, including some exciting research and delicious holiday recipes!

The Latest in Cranberries and Health

New Research Demonstrates Cranberries’ Antimicrobial Properties, Assisting in Global Fight Against Antibiotic Resistance

From a public health standpoint, it is of the utmost importance to continue to expand strategies for combating pathogen resistance. It appears that cranberries hold promise in this effort. For centuries, cranberries have been reported as a remedy for urinary tract infections. Yet, while individuals praised the fruit for its natural cure, science did not fully understand the mechanics of the process. In recent years, scholarship confirmed their anti-microbial properties, demonstrating that a specific type of cranberry phytochemicals known as proanthocyanidins (cPACs) hinder bacterial activity by preventing their adhesion and motility. Now, in a new study published in Scientific Reports, researchers show that cPACs also abolish the production of virulence factors, or the molecules that create disease. The study reports that cPACs inhibit the bacteria’s ability to communicate with one another, and therefore prevent them from causing infection. This research has significant implications, since understanding the multimodal effects of cranberries is extremely useful in combating bacterial infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Inhibiting bacterial communication is a promising strategy to combat infections that antibiotics cannot cure. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that the bacteria did not develop resistance to the cPACs, as it might with antibiotics. As antibiotic resistance remains a global health concern, the potential of cranberries continues to encourage researchers. 

• Cranberry-derived proanthocyanidins impair virulence and inhibit quorum sensing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Vimal B. Maisuria, Yossef Lopez-de Los Santos, Nathalie Tufenkji, Eric Déziel – Scientific Reports

RESOURCE REMINDER! 

Cranberry Health Research Library 

Browse the selections by year to find the most recent publications: http://cranberryinstitute.org/doclib/doclib_search.cgi

USDA-Reviewed Cranberry Health Research Review 

If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the USDA-reviewed cranberry nutrition and health review published in the Cranberry Health Research Library on CranberryInstitute.org.  

Have a Fresh Cranberry Friendsgiving!

It’s that time of year again, when the trendiest fall holiday is kicking off and cranberry-filled celebrations are full swing – Friendsgiving 2016 is here! As you may remember from last year, Friendsgiving is the new holiday trend all about celebrating and giving thanks with your closest friends, either on Thanksgiving, or during the weeks before or after. And this year, the Cranberry Friendsgiving Photo Contest has returned as well, with even more categories and prizes!

This is your opportunity to show off your cranberry creativity – remember to post your party photos featuring your unique cranberry dishes or décor (yes, you heard us, cranberry décor!) on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or Twitter with #FriendsgivingCranberryContest and submit them at CranberryFriendsgiving.com. Please visit the contest website CranberryFriendsgiving.com and enter your own cranberry dish by December 19 for a chance to win!

• Last year, a few you inspired us with a few of your own unique Friendsgiving recipes perfect for impressing friends – check out some of the most creative recipes from Friendsgiving 2015 below. We are excited to see what you come up with this year! 
  • Sweet and Savory Alternative to Stuffing by Diane Boyd of Cape Fear Nutrition
  • Oat Cranberry Pilaf with Pistachios by Sharon Palmer, The Plant-Based Dietitian
  • Brown Rice with Cranberry Ginger Sauce by Tawnie Kroll of Kroll’s Korner
  • Mini Turkey Meatballs with Curried Cranberry Sauce by Anne Danahy of Craving Something Healthy

Fresh Cranberries Take Center Stage this Holiday Season

Don’t often cook with fresh cranberries? What exactly is cranberry décor? Have no fear – the all new Guide to Entertaining with Fresh Cranberriesis here to help! Check out this guide for awesome seasonal recipes using fresh cranberries and some fun ways to make cranberries a part of your tablescape and holiday décor this year. Take a sneak peek at one of our crowd-pleasing favorites below:

Cranberry Cilantro Salsa

With These Tips, You’ll Never Have Leftover Cranberries Again!

·         Most fresh cranberry recipes work just as well with frozen cranberries! Fresh cranberry season is almost over, so head to your local market to buy a few bags for now – and few for the freezer! 

·         Cranberry ice cubes make functional décor! Place 1-2 cranberries into each ice cube mold space on an ice cube tray, fill with water and freeze until solid. The berry-filled ice cubes make for visually-stunning drinks.

·         Get saucy! Fresh cranberries can be made into jam or sauce – then refrigerated or frozen so you’ll always have a quick cranberry spread on hand.

#LoveCranberries Every Day

As a dietitian, you know there are so many reasons to love cranberries. This harvest season, we encourage you to share your love of cranberries on your favorite social channels with our latest infographic – A Daily Reason to Love Cranberries!

We challenge you to share a cranberry a day this fall. Check out the full infographic, and share a post for each day of the week – which you can find here: Daily Reasons to #LoveCranberries. 

Cranberry Institute
P.O. Box 497
Carver, MA 02330

www.cranberryinstitute.org