QUEBEC, CANADA—Fruit d'Or Nutraceuticals’ organic cranberry ingredient CranNaturelle can thwart uropathogenic bacteria to help relieve urinary discomfort, according to a new study conducted at Rutgers University’s Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension.

Researchers gave two 500 mg capsules of Cran Naturelle plus 300 mg of TransportC-PLUS to 20 healthy volunteers; the researchers then measured the ex vivo uropathogenic bacterial anti-adhesion activity in the participants' urine in a 24-hour timeframe.  

The researchers found no anti-adhesion activity prior to consuming the supplements. After consumption, they found 80 percent of the participants had a positive response to the cranberry. The percentage of observed urinary anti-adhesion activity (from three to 24 hours post-consumption), yielded a 16.5-percent overall response; at 12 hours, there was a 32.5-percent response, which was the peak activity period. All women tested had a response in at least one of the time periods, with an overall response of 13.3-percent, while 60 percent of the men responded in at least one time period with an overall response of 14.1 percent. These data are based on soluble PACs (proanthocyanidins) that can be measured and tested in the bioassays used in the study.  

The study also showed that the addition of TransportC-PLUS did not increase the anti-adhesion effects. However, Stephen Lukawski, director of business development for Fruit d'Or Nutraceuticals, said the vitamin C shows no interference with the cranberry, yet in this matrix still provides its own known antioxidant benefits, which adds further appeal to consumers.  

"This study is very important for brand marketers and consumers, who, at first signs of urinary discomfort, can now count on relief of symptoms and comfort in as little as 12 hours," Lukawski said. “It is also important to note that these results cannot nor should not be translated for other cranberry ingredients; this study and its results showed that Cran Naturelle exerts this quick and powerful response." 

Last month, Fruit d’Or hosted its first annual cranberry harvest tour for brand marketers.