Vital Signs · medicine

Filed by Dr. Iris Vale

Cranberry juice may offer an unexpected benefit beyond its reputation for helping prevent urinary tract infections: protecting teeth from decay. Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago discovered that pure, unsweetened cranberry juice slowed the regrowth of dental plaque bacteria and reduced their production of acids that damage tooth enamel. The secret may lie in naturally occurring compounds called proanthocyanidins, which interfere with harmful bacteria.