Research published in Phytomedicine (Vol. 14, Issue 1:23–30) suggests that cranberries may have antiviral properties in addition to their more widely recognized antibacterial effects.
In this experimental study, cranberry juice was shown to protect against bacteriophage T2 and bacteriophage T4. The researchers also reported that a 20% cranberry juice solution prevented simian rotavirus SA-11 from binding to the surface of host cells, a critical first step in viral infection.
Cranberries are best known for their ability to interfere with bacterial adhesion, particularly Escherichia coli, to the lining of the bladder and urinary tract. This anti-adhesion effect is the basis for the long-standing use of unsweetened cranberry juice as a supportive measure for reducing the risk of recurrent urinary tract infections.
The findings from this study suggest that cranberry compounds may also interfere with viral attachment to cells, extending interest in cranberries beyond bacterial infections. While these results are based on laboratory models and do not establish clinical effectiveness, they highlight additional biological activities of cranberry constituents that warrant further investigation.
