New findings reveal that fall's favourite berry, the cranberry, boosts good cholesterol and shields the heart with its unique antioxidant power. For years, red wine and grape juice have been touted as heart health drinks. But, now scientists are discovering that cranberry juice may also be good for the heart, according to recent clinical study results revealed at the Canadian Cardiovascular Society's Annual Congress in Calgary, Alberta.

Conducted at Laval University, in Quebec City, the study indicates that light cranberry cocktail improves circulation by increasing the level of HDL (good cholesterol) by 8% and by acting as a powerful antioxidant. The 12-week study, looked at 30 men, aged 18 to 70 who were slightly overweight, had an elevated LDL (bad cholesterol) level, were not taking medication and were given Ocean Spray^¨ Light Cranberry Cocktail.

"We have shown that by consuming daily doses of cranberry cocktail, you will be able to raise your HDL cholesterol, that is the level of good cholesterol in your blood," says Dr. Charles Couillard, the lead researcher of the study and member of the Institute of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods of Laval University. "For Canadian men with elevated cholesterol levels, it will have no impact on the total concentration of cholesterol in circulation, but by raising HDL, it is a sign that the arteries are clearing up of the levels of accumulated cholesterol."

According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, it is estimated that 1 in 4 Canadians suffer from cardiovascular disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in Canada. In addition, cardiovascular disease accounts for the death of more Canadians than any other disease - over 79,000 deaths in 1998, the last year for which Statistics Canada has data. The Heart & Stroke Foundation recommends a well-balanced, heart healthy diet and regular exercise to prevent cardiovascular disease.

"The best way to prevent chronic diseases is to adopt an active lifestyle, as well as better nutritional habits," says Dr. Couillard. "Now, drinking a glass of cranberry juice on a daily basis is certainly a good nutritional habit to adopt, but to maximize the benefits of drinking cranberry juice, you will have to get more active and also eat less fat.

With more antioxidants per gram than most other fruit, cranberries bolster the body's defenses against free radical damage.