Cranberry, a source of Omega-3s for the skin

Cranberry: great source of Omega 3, for beautiful, glowing skin

Cranberry is a fruit rich in omega-3, the "allied" fatty acids of health. The ability of omega-3s to maintain healthy skin has allowedcranberry seed oil to become increasingly important in the skin cosmetics market.

Cranberry: all-round wellness

The cranberry is part of a genus of shrubs long known for the beneficial effects exerted on ^health1.

One of its close relatives is the better-known bilberry, with which various properties have been associated:

• antibacterial
• antioxidants
• anti-inflammatory
• anti-cancer
• anti-cholesterol
• anti-obesity

The most studied substances found in these fruits are flavonoids and polyphenols, molecules that can effectively fight oxidation. However, these antioxidants are not the only valuable health nutrients contained in blueberries. In fact, these fruits are also rich in fatty acids: omega-6 and omega-3,present in approximately the same ^amounts2.

Balance between Omega-3 and Omega-6: how important is it?

A proper balance between Omega-3 and Omega-6 between 1:1 and 4:1 is essential to keep the body healthy. In both cases these are essential fatty acids: cells cannot do without them, but they are unable to produce them themselves so must obtain them from food. The Western diet is characterized by increasingly high levels of Omega-6s: this does not allow maintaining an optimal ratio between them and Omega-3s and thus harnessing 100 percent of all the benefits of Omega-3s. The best known of these concern the heart and arteries. The earliest indications of the protective action of these nutrients concern precisely the health of the cardiovascular system. In fact, around the 1970s it was discovered that a diet rich in fish containing Omega-3 significantly reduced the incidence of cardiovascular disease. Researchers have since discovered more and more new properties:

• Controlling blood lipid levels (including "bad" cholesterol);
• importance to the development and well-being of the nervous system;
• Benefits for joints, eyes and skin.

Omega-3s from the cranberry

All sources of Omega-3 are not the same:

• Omega-3s from animals, such as mackerel, tuna and salmon, contain EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid);
• Omega-3s from vegetables, such as cranberry, contain ALA (alpha-linolenic acid).

The latter is typical of plants and cannot be used as such by cells: it must first be converted to EPA and DHA, the forms of Omega-3 best used by the body because they reduce inflammatory phenomena and the risk of developing chronic diseases. Plant sources of Omega-3, including cranberries, have been shown to exert beneficial health effects. All that is needed is for the body to be able to convert ALA to EPA and DHA.

Moisturizing skin: the primary purpose of cranberry oil

Skin hydration is the main task ofcranberry seed oil. The combination of its components also helps to relieve and counteract various skin disorders and irritations:

• itching
• eczemas
• psoriasis
• acne

There are currently blueberry lotions, balms and creams on the market for:

• lips
• abdomen
• body
• face
• hair

Source

Johnson BJ, Lin B, Bongard JE, "Genus vaccinium: medicine, cosmetics, and coatings," Recent Pat Biotechnol. 2010 Jun;4(2):112-24 2. Parry J, Su L, Luther M, Zhou K, Yurawecz MP, Whittaker P, Yu L, "Fatty acid composition and antioxidant properties of cold-pressed marionberry, boysenberry, red raspberry, and blueberry seed oils," J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Feb 9;53(3):566-73