Cranberries have long been prized in the nation. In many maternity clinics in Finland still suggest to use the mint juice cranberries candidiasis of the oral cavity in children.
Thinking of this, doctor of dentistry Pirjo Pennanen (Pirjo Pärnänen) decided to study the properties of bilberry, blueberry, cranberry, lemon, raspberry and black currant. It is known that the berries and fruits contain a lot of antioxidants. Antioxidants — chemical compounds derived by man from the food, but the body is able to produce them yourself. It is believed that antioxidants are important to fight many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, and also have a beneficial effect in the processes associated with aging and childbirth.
The cranberries also contain anthocyanins — healthy flavonoids, which give the berry red color and affect blood clotting. In addition, cranberries have lots of compounds that prevent inflammation.
In laboratory studies Parnanen revealed that cranberries have proven most effective in combating the bacteria that cause tooth decay, and fungi of the genus candida that cause candidiasis. Tooth decay is most often caused by bacteria of the species streptococcus mutans. According Parnanen, lingonberries contain not only the acidity, which reduces the growth of fungus. Similar results were achieved in one Thai study, which proved that the phenols contained in cranberries, prevent bacteria growth that causes gingivitis.
Nerd of Sinikka Piippo (Sinikka Piippo) notes: in several experiments it was proved that quercetin contained in cranberries and other berries, lowers blood pressure, prevents inflammation and rising blood sugar levels.
The Finnish innovation Fund Sitra has made a selection of the results of the Finnish studies on the effect of cranberries. The research says a lot about the positive effects of cranberry and cowberry with infections of the urinary tract. In the report of the Fund, Sitra reported that the properties of cranberries should be studied in more detail.
Reducing inflammation of the oral cavity is a very important topic. Inflammation of the oral cavity, e.g. periodontal disease, increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and other inflammations in the body. Besides bacteria the oral cavity reproduce well in a humid environment.
Based on existing studies, Pirjo Pennanen began to develop products based on cranberries. In 2017, she received a patent for a mouthwash based on cranberries. She has studied the effectiveness of this drug with a small group of patients. In experiment took part 30 people. They used Parnanen rinse twice a day during the week.
Rinsing was done on the basis of cranberries after removal from the berries sugar and enhance the effect of beneficial compounds such as anthocyanins.
From the oral cavity samples were taken of the bacteria before the experiment, after rinsing and after a while after rinsing. As was revealed by the results of the experiment, the bacteria streptococcus mutans that cause tooth decay, and fungi type candida has become smaller. In turn, the number of useful lactobacilli increased.
Causes of mouth cancer is unknown, but it sure is exacerbated by sugars. Therefore, the risk of oral cancer increases due to poor care of teeth. Other risk factors are tobacco, alcohol and wounds — for example, from poorly fitted dentures.
Pirie Parnanen involved in large-scale study of oral cancer conducted by the Professor of the University of Helsinki Tuula Fat (Tuula Salo). The study in the laboratory is studied and the effect of rinsing on the basis of the cranberries.
Parnanen studies have shown that rinsing with cranberries is a good way to restore balance of microflora of the oral cavity. The advantage of cranberries is that it is perceived by the body as food and bacteria do not develop immunity to it. Otherwise the situation is, for example, chlorhexidine, which is used to treat severe inflammation in the oral cavity. Chlorhexidine kills many bacteria, and it can be used only a couple of weeks. In addition, it damages the teeth.
“According to my hypothesis, rinse with cranberries reduces the overall level of inflammation in the oral cavity,” says Pennanen.
The results of the study were published in the American scientific dental journal. In addition, later Parnanen planned to conduct a double-blind study patented rinse with Greek study group.
During his scientific work botanist Sinikka Pirjo within the University and outside of University lectures on the effects of berries on human health. According to her, the lignans reduce the risk of cancer associated with hormonal changes, such as breast cancer. Lignans — a group of phenolic compounds in the type of flavonoids.
Thanks lignana blood there are more enterolactone. In people with low blood levels of enterolactone the risk of, for example, breast cancer and coronary heart disease is generally higher.
According to Piippo, the berries are often found in General phenolic compounds. In addition to the cranberries a lot of them, for example, the black currant, elderberry, BlackBerry, cloudberry and sea buckthorn.
Lactic acid bacteria in a Finnish study in detail. They protect the intestines and restore the microflora of the oral cavity. During treatment antibiotic bacterial balance changes, since antibiotics kill bacteria, and bacteria immune to antibiotics, on the contrary, begin to develop. This may lead to candidiasis or the appearance of some superbugs.
