Cranberry Extract 6% Proanthocyanidins | 365 capsules | Vit4ever

Cranberry 25:1 extract by Vit4ever

Cranberry has been known for years as a popular supplement, but what exactly is in such a capsule varies considerably by brand. This product from Vit4ever contains cranberry extract in a 25:1 concentration, supplemented with vitamin C. Two capsules per day provide 1000 mg of cranberry extract, with a fixed amount of proanthocyanidins. Convenient for those who prefer taking a clearly dosed capsule rather than drinking a glass of cranberry juice every day, especially if you are on the go or don't feel like preparing juice all the time.

What a 25:1 extract actually means

With a 25:1 extract, 25 kilos of fresh cranberries have been reduced to 1 kilo of extract powder. That ratio says something about the concentration level. That is why the percentage of proanthocyanidins is also stated on the label: 6%. Proanthocyanidins, often abbreviated as PACs, are a group of plant substances that are naturally found in the skin of the cranberry and are responsible for part of the characteristic tart taste. Per daily dose of 2 capsules, that comes down to 60 mg of proanthocyanidins, so 30 mg per capsule. What many people do not know: not every cranberry extract on the market states this percentage, which means that as a buyer you often cannot compare what you are actually getting. With this product, that percentage is fixed and can be found on the label, so you know exactly what is in each capsule instead of relying on a vague indication without further specification.

Why cranberry and vitamin C are often found together

Cranberry extract is almost always combined with vitamin C in supplements, and that is no coincidence. Both substances are naturally present in the fruit itself, cranberries naturally contain a considerable amount of vitamin C. Vit4ever chooses to add another 80 mg of vitamin C per daily dose, which is equal to 100% of the reference intake (the amount the EU uses as a daily guideline). Vitamin C contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system and contributes to the protection of cells against oxidative stress. It also contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to a normal energy-yielding metabolism, the process by which your body converts nutrients into usable energy. In addition, vitamin C contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system.

How the capsule is constructed

The capsule shell consists of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, a plant-based raw material that serves as an alternative to the traditional gelatin capsule. The difference is that gelatin is of animal origin, usually obtained from the bones or skin of cattle or pigs, while HPMC is completely plant-based and produced from cellulose plants. Therefore, this capsule is suitable for those who eat vegetarian or vegan, without having to compromise on the dosage or composition of the extract itself. The rest of the contents consists of the cranberry extract itself and L-ascorbic acid, the chemical name for the added vitamin C. No unnecessary additives, no flavorings or colorings, just the two ingredients packaged in a capsule that you take with a glass of water.

Cranberry extract in practice

With 365 capsules in the package and a daily dose of 2 pieces, you end up with about 182 daily doses. That is well over half a year with one package, without having to reorder halfway through. Buying cranberry juice and drinking it daily quickly costs more effort: you have to get it into the house, store it refrigerated, and it does not last long after opening. In addition, the sugar levels in juices from the supermarket vary greatly, and much of that juice is diluted with other fruit juices to make the taste less sour. A capsule with a fixed standardized percentage of PACs and a fixed amount of vitamin C at least gives you clarity about what you are getting, day in day out, without the sugar and the volume of juice.