Tart and tartar Although cranberries are typically touted for promoting bladder health, a new study indicates that . Researchers found that applying a solution containing 25 percent unsweetened cranberry juice for one minute two times per day significantly reduced plaque formation and growth. It also caused the bacteria involved in the plaque to produce less acid, meaning that the cranberry juice could also protect tooth enamel. The amount the researchers used is similar to the concentrations found in commercially available cranberry juice. But most of the brands you'll find on your local supermarket shelves contain added sugar or high fructose corn syrup, which would cancel out any of the benefits you might be getting from the unsweetened part of the juice. You're much better off with plain cranberry juice, which you can find in most health food stores. If the plain version is too tart for you, try sweetening it with all-natural stevia or lo-han.
In plain sight
Q: Could nutritional factors be an underlying cause of poor eyesight? JVW: Yes! Since the 1980s, I have found poor stomach function and/or other digestive problems in nearly all of my patients who have macular degeneration, the leading cause of legal blindness in those over age 55. As we age, all of our body functions slow down. And by age 60, about half of us have a digestive system that is so sluggish it prevents our cells from receiving enough nutrition. That's why I always recommend checking the stomach and the rest of the digestive system whenever a person has any problem that just won't go away.
What is...plaque?
Plaque is a soft, sticky coating of bacteria that forms on and between teeth and near the gum line. Teeth that are coated with plaque invite dental decay, cavity formation, and periodontal disease. Sugars from food can combine with the plaque and form acids, which attack tooth enamel and cause tooth decay. Proper brushing, regular flossing, and dental cleanings reduce plaque buildup and lessen the chance for cavities to form. If the plaque isn't removed, it turns into tartar, a hard, cement-like substance that can only be removed by a professional cleaning.
Sources:
"Influence of Cranberry Juice on Glucan-Mediated Processes Involved in Streptococcus mutans Biofilm Development," Caries Research 2006; 40(1): 20-27
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