Cranberries Curb Stroke Damage
 (HealthDay, 9/8/03)

Catherine C. Neto, of the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, and associates, attempted to duplicate what happens during an ischemic stroke by cultivating rat brain cells, then depriving them of oxygen and glucose. The scientists also exposed another group of brain cells to hydrogen peroxide to simulate what happens on the resumption of blood flow to the brain, at which time additional damage to brain cells typically occurs. When the investigators exposed the rat cells to varied concentrations of cranberry extract, those receiving the strongest concentration had a 50% reduction in cell death, suggesting that the high levels of antioxidants in the berries may protect against free radical damage.