Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 3, 2026

Isolation, Characterization and Functional Examination of the Gingival Immune Cell Network
Published on: February 16, 2016
Consumption of cranberry functional beverage reduces gingival index and plaque index in patients with gingivitis
Małgorzata Woźniewicz1, Paulina M Nowaczyk1, Anna Kurhańska-Flisykowska2
1Institute of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland.
Abstract:
Periodontal disease is highly prevalent worldwide, and consumption of certain foods, such as fruits, seem to improve the effectiveness of periodontal therapy (PT) due to their antiadhesive, immunomodulatory, and antioxidative properties. We hypothesized that the cranberry functional beverage (CFB) consumed for eight weeks improves gingival inflammation indices via inhibition of dental plaque, and alterations in antioxidant status, and systemic inflammation in patients with gingivitis. In this two-arm randomized controlled study, fifty participants were divided into an experimental group (CFB), administered daily with 750 ml CFB, or a control group administered the same amount of water. All patients underwent nonsurgical PT prior to the intervention. Gingival (GI) and bleeding on probing (BoP) indices of inflammation, plaque (PI) and approximal plaque (API) indices of dental plaque deposition, saliva and serum total antioxidant status (TAS), serum malonylodialdehyde level (MDA), and interleukin 1-beta level (IL-1beta) were measured pre- and postintervention. A risk of caries development was determined by Streptococcus mutans (SM) and Lactobacillus spp. (LAB) counts in supragingival dental plaque. Changes in GI and PI but not BoP and API were significantly more pronounced in the CFB group compared to the control group. Serum or saliva TAS, IL-1beta, and MDA did not differ between groups. The number of SM reduced in CFB, but not in the control group. We demonstrated that the consumption of CFB improves gingival and plaque indices without posing a risk of caries development. Thus CFB can be recommended as a safe adjunct for nonsurgical PT in patients with gingivitis.
Related Concept Videos
Reducing Line Loss
With a step-up transformer at the source, the voltage is increased, thereby reducing the current in the transmission lines since power loss in...
Methods of reducing fever
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
Role of Reduced Coenzymes NADH and FADH₂
Redox Titration: Other Oxidizing and Reducing Agents
Reduced Mass Coordinates: Isolated Two-body Problem

