Cranberries can reduce gingival inflammation

A study published in the journal Nutrition Research finds that cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) can help reduce gingival inflammation. The study’s researchers, who were from Poznan University of Life Sciences and Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poland, suggest that cranberries consumed as a functional beverage can be used as a safe natural treatment for gingivitis.

• The Polish researchers looked at the effects of drinking cranberry functional beverage for eight weeks on gingival inflammation in a randomized controlled study.
• For the study, they recruited 50 participants with gingivitis and divided them into two groups: a treatment group and a control group.
• Participants in the treatment group received 750 milliliters (ml) of cranberry functional beverage every day for eight weeks, while those in the control group received the 750 ml of water.
• Before the intervention, all participants underwent nonsurgical periodontal therapy.
• All patients underwent nonsurgical PT prior to the intervention.
• Before and after the treatment, the researchers measured gingival and bleeding on probing indices of inflammation, plaque, and approximal plaque indices of dental plaque deposition, saliva and serum total antioxidant status, serum malondialdehyde level (MDA), and interleukin 1-beta level (IL-1beta).
• The researchers determined the risk of tooth decay through Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp. counts in supragingival dental plaque.
• The results of the study revealed that participants who received cranberry treatment experienced more pronounced changes in gingival and plaque indices compared to the control group.
• However, there were no changes in serum or saliva TAS, IL-1beta, and MDA in both groups.
• In addition, the number of S. mutans decreased in the cranberry treatment group.

From these findings, the researchers conclude that drinking cranberry functional beverage reduces gingival inflammation safely without posing a risk of tooth decay.

To read more studies on foods that support oral health, visit FoodIsMedicine.com.

Journal Reference:

Wo?niewicz M. Nowaczyk PM, Kurha?ska-Flisykowska A, Wyganowska-?wi?tkowska M, Lasik-Kurdy? M, Walkowiak J, Bajerska J. CONSUMPTION OF CRANBERRY FUNCTIONAL BEVERAGE REDUCES GINGIVAL INDEX AND PLAQUE INDEX IN PATIENTS WITH GINGIVITIS. Nutrition Research. October 2018; 58: 36-45. DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2018.06.011