Cranberry

Buy cranberry: cranberry extract in capsules and powder

Cranberry, also known in Dutch as the American cranberry or large cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), is a small, bright red berry that grows naturally in North America. The berry is known in the kitchen, but is also widely used as a dietary supplement, usually as a concentrated extract. Cranberry naturally contains plant compounds such as proanthocyanidins (PACs). In our range, you will find cranberry as a standardized extract in capsules and in powder form, among other things in combination with D-mannose.

What is cranberry?

Cranberry is the English name for the cranberry, a small, tart, bright red berry from a low-growing creeper in the heather family. The berry naturally contains various plant compounds, including proanthocyanidins (PACs), a type of polyphenol that is used as a benchmark for cranberry extracts. Because fresh cranberries are very tart, cranberry for supplements is usually processed into a standardized extract. The label states how much cranberry extract a product provides per serving and often the PAC content.

Where does cranberry come from?

The cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) comes from North America, where the berry is grown on a large scale in wet, boggy fields that are often flooded at harvest so that the floating berries can be easily collected. There is also a smaller cranberry native to Europe (Vaccinium oxycoccos), but the American species is mainly used for supplements. After harvest, the berries are processed into juice, powder, or a concentrated extract. The origin and type of extract are often listed on the packaging.

Cranberry and proanthocyanidins (PACs)

The plant compounds cranberry is best known for are proanthocyanidins, usually abbreviated as PACs. Cranberry extracts are therefore often standardized to a certain PAC content, for example 6%, so that you can compare products with each other based on the amount of these plant compounds. A standardized PAC content means that a fixed amount of these plant compounds is provided per serving. In addition to PACs, cranberry naturally also contains other polyphenols and vitamin C. On the label, you will usually find the PAC content and the amount of extract per serving.

Cranberry combined with D-mannose

Cranberry is regularly combined with D-mannose in supplements, a simple sugar that naturally occurs in small amounts in fruit. This combination is offered as a standalone product, often in powder form. In addition, you will find cranberry as a pure, standardized extract in capsules. Which form is right for you depends on your preference: a combination product with D-mannose or a single cranberry extract. In our range, you will find both options, so you can choose based on your personal preferences.

How much cranberry per day?

No official recommended daily amount has been established for cranberry. The dosage per product varies and is stated on the packaging, expressed in milligrams of extract per capsule or grams of powder per serving. For standardized extracts, the PAC content is also considered. Follow the directions for use of the specific supplement and do not exceed the recommended dosage without advice. If you are taking blood thinners, taking medication, pregnant or breastfeeding, or in case of doubt, it is wise to consult a doctor beforehand.

Buy cranberry: what to look for?

When choosing a cranberry supplement, there are a few practical points to consider. Look at the amount of cranberry extract per serving and at the PAC content, which is often used as a benchmark. Decide whether you are looking for a pure cranberry extract in capsules or a combination with D-mannose in powder form. Pay attention to the origin, purity, and price per daily serving. Cranberry is a plant-based berry extract; for related products, also view our Herbs & Plants collection.