The Cranberry fruit possesses a group of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. These are thought to possess antibacterial actions and have been shown to help maintain the health of the bladder and urinary tract and reduce susceptibility to recurrent infections in those areas. Cranberry supplements also have the added benefit of avoiding sugar commonly found in cranberry juice drinks, sugar helps to feed a bacterial infection rather than reduce it. Research is currently looking at the use of cranberry in preventing other bacterial infections such as Helicobacter Pylori, the main cause of gastritis and peptic ulcers.