Cranberry Juice Shows Promise in Reducing Dental Plaque and Acid Production, Preliminary Study Suggests
New research published in the journal Scientific Reports indicates that 100 percent cranberry juice may help slow the growth of dental plaque and reduce the production of acids that contribute to cavities. The small, preliminary study involved 22 participants (eight adults and 14 children) who rinsed with either unsweetened 100 percent cranberry juice, cranberry juice cocktail, or water. Researchers found that those who used pure cranberry juice experienced slower plaque regrowth and less acid production in their dental plaque. According to Christine D. Wu, PhD, lead study author and professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, cranberry juice contains a polyphenol chemical compound called proanthocyanidin. Julie Meyerson, DMD, a New York City dentist, explains that these compounds may interfere with the processes involved in plaque formation, such as bacteria like Streptococcus mutans producing sticky substances that help them attach to teeth. The findings suggest that cranberry polyphenols could make...
