What do you think is the biggest global health challenge? I think many of you would say it is the lack of a cure for cancer or the epidemic of cardiovascular disease…
Actually the global health problem is antibiotic resistance.
Every year, 700,000 people die from infections caused by microbes that have become resistant to drugs. Moreover, scientists predict that in 10 years more than 10 million people a year will become victims of antibiotic resistance.
I did not write this article to upset you, certainly not on a holiday as wonderful as Thanksgiving. On the contrary, I have good news for you: the solution to antibiotic resistance may be right on your holiday table!
I'm talking about the traditional side dish to America's favorite turkey – cranberries.
New research shows that cranberry molecules make bacteria more sensitive to antibiotics, and reveals a dual mechanism for this process.
The scientists chose to study bacteria that cause urinary tract infections, pneumonia and gastroenteritis, including Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli.
The researchers applied cranberry extract to bacterial cultures and saw that cranberry molecules made these cultures more sensitive to antibiotics through 2 main mechanisms:
- First, the cranberry extract altered the permeability of the bacterial membrane to the antibiotic.
- Second, the cranberry extract disrupted the mechanism by which bacteria normally develop resistance to drugs.
Now researchers believe the use of cranberries could help combat the spread of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. According to them, this berry is a simple and "very promising" means of increasing the effectiveness of antibiotics.
But let's get back to the holiday…
I do think the above info is a solid reason to fully enjoy this product on your Thanksgiving table. Especially since cranberries not only help reduce antibiotic resistance, but also have many other health benefits: they are anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants; improve circulation, boost immunity; protect against cancer; provide digestive and urinary health…
Thanksgiving is all about family gatherings, fall decor, and of course, lots of delicious and healthy dishes.
Among them is traditional cranberry sauce, which is very easy to prepare and is a must-have dish on my family's holiday menu. Its sweetish flavor perfectly complements the tenderness of meat and gives it fruity notes. I use both fresh and dried cranberries as a base for the sauce. However, dried cranberries should be soaked in water or juice before cooking. Next, I cook the fruit with orange zest, salt, sugar and spices such as nutmeg or vanilla.
You guys, how do you prepare the cranberry sauce? Have you got a favorite recipe? Do you agree with me that cranberry sauce magically makes everything it touches a little more delicious?
The point I'd like to make towards the end is that if you only eat cranberries at the holidays, you're missing out on a lot of the essential health benefits these berries have.
Being one of the healthiest foods, I recommend you enjoy them not just at the holidays, but all year round.
Make Thanksgiving live up to your expectations, with your loved ones by your side and a table full of flavors and tasty treats.