Cranberries could play a role in the fight against bacteria, according to the results of new research.
When treated with molecules derived from cranberries, pathogenic bacteria become more sensitive to lower doses of antibiotics.
The researchers also state that the bacteria don’t develop resistance to the antibiotics.
They were looking into the issue due to the popular belief that drinking cranberry juice is helpful against urinary tract infections.
They sought to find out more about the berry’s molecular properties by treating various bacteria with a cranberry extract.
The bacteria selected for study were those responsible for urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and gastro-enteritis (Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli).
Nathalie Tufenkji, lead author of the study, said: “Normally when we treat bacteria with an antibiotic in the lab, the bacteria eventually acquire resistance over time.
“But when we simultaneously treated the bacteria with an antibiotic and the cranberry extract, no resistance developed.
“We were very surprised by this, and we see it as an important opportunity.”
Image credit | iStock
