High PAC Content Cranberry Juice May Help Reduce Risk of H. Pylori Infection

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection occurs when H. pylori bacteria infect the stomach. Most people with H. pylori infection never have any signs or symptoms, but for some it can cause ulcers in the lining of the stomach. A recent study has found that consuming high-PAC (proanthocyanidin) content cranberry juice may help reduce the risk of infection from H. pylori.

Participants in the study included 522 adults who were H. pylori positive at the beginning of the study. They took part in one of the following four interventions for 8 weeks:

1. 240 mL of cranberry juice containing 23 mg PAC daily (low-PAC group)
2. 240 mL of cranberry juice containing 44 mg PAC daily (medium-PAC group);
3. 480 mL of cranberry juice containing 88 mg PAC daily (high-PAC group);
4. Placebo group.

The researchers used C-urea breath testing to evaluate H. pylori infection at baseline, week 2, and week 8. Participants who tested negative at the end of the study period were retested 45 days later.

Participants in the high-PAC group saw a 20% decrease in H. pylori infection rates compared to the other three groups. The researchers also found that participants in the high-PAC group saw a significant trend towards H. pylori negativity from week 2 to week 8. In addition, 75% of participants who tested negative at the end of the study period were still negative 45 days later.

The study was conducted by researchers from Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute. It was published online ahead of print on August 11, 2020 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.