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Cranberries may be key defense vs. superbugs

Cranberries may be key defense vs. superbugs

Research explores how flavonols in cranberries repel bacteria.

By Shara Rutberg, New Hope Network

Researchers have used super-high resolute atomic force microscopes to reveal how a compound in cranberries helps block bacterial infections and may be key to developing strategies to protect us against superbugs.

“With the emergence of new superbugs that are resistant to current antibiotics, our hope is to better understand the mechanisms of bacterial infection so we can identify potential new antibiotic drug targets,” Terri Camesano, PhD, professor of chemical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and co-author of the study, said in a release.

Drug-resistant bacteria infect at least two million Americans every year, according to the CDC. To infect people, the bacteria first must be able to stick to their host and gather in a big enough crowd to form a biofilm. In researching how cranberry juice helps prevent urinary tract infections, scientists at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth found that the flavonols in cranberries slash the sticking ability of E. coli. The flavonols reduced the bacteria’s ability to adhere “to almost zero,” says Camesano in a video clip about the research. This effect could be key to developing alternative antibacterial treatments, the authors wrote in an article about the research published in the journal Food & Function.

They concluded: “These compounds should be further explored, both individually and in combination for their antimicrobial properties against various bacterial diseases [to] give us a therapeutic edge against ‘superbugs.'”

A.J. Ali

A.J. Ali, "The Wellness Motivator!" is an award-winning writer, producer, actor, host, voice over artist, emcee and creative visionary. He is the Founder and Executive Producer of EclipseVSC since 1999. A.J. is currently producing and hosting the multimedia wellness entity "Wellness 101" with a vision of helping to change the focus of healthcare in America from sickness to wellness (www.wellness101life.com). To launch the Wellness 101 brand, A.J. did the impossible. Starting with only $500, he traveled through all 50 states in 101 days June 16 through September 24, 2014 -- starting in Melbourne Beach, FL and ending up on a sun soaked beach in Hawaii after changing lives in all 50 states. His "True Champion's 30-Day Challenge" book is transforming lives nationwide (www.TrueChampions30DayChallenge.com). Now, Wellness 101 is taking human transformation to another level through holistic wellness. A.J. has more than 30 years experience in sports and entertainment as an athlete, artist and social entrepreneur. He has founded and owned two pro soccer teams and has spearheaded hundreds of successful projects. A.J. created and starred in the TV show "Good Fellas of Baltimore" on Fox in 2011, which raised more than $250,000 for charities in Baltimore and inspired fans to join the cast to help people in need. As an on-air talent and voice over artist, his enthusiastic love of people makes him believable and inspirational. As a wellness speaker and emcee, he is inspiring. An accomplished writer with a conversational style, his work is transformative. His 2007 song "Through the Darkness, Into the Light," compilation music CD "Survivor Celebration" and Survivor Celebration campaign helping cancer survivors won the coveted Hollywood FAME Award for National Community Service. As a philanthropist and entrepreneur, A.J. has raised more than $25 million for charities. He teaches his charity event success methods through a workshop called "MAKE IT RAIN." He is proud to be a U.S. Air Force Veteran (83-87). His mantra is "LOVE is the answer." He is an avid golfer.

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