Raisins help fight gum and tooth diseases

ATLANTA, Jun 07, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Scientists say they've discovered another reason for people to eat raisins: they fight oral bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.

The lead author of the study, Christine Wu, a professor and dean of research at the University of Illinois' College of Dentistry in Chicago, said laboratory analyses show some phytochemicals -- compounds found in some plants -- suppressed the growth of oral bacteria associated with cavities and gum disease.

Wu and her co-workers performed routine chemical analyses to determine the phytochemicals that inhibit the growth of two species of oral bacteria. The compounds were effective against the bacteria at concentrations ranging from about 200 to 1,000 micrograms per milliliter.

The California Raisin Marketing Board noted Wu said the findings counter a longstanding public perception that raisins promote cavities.

"Raisins are perceived as sweet and sticky, and any food that contains sugar and is sticky is assumed to cause cavities," Wu said. "But our study suggests the contrary. Phytochemicals in raisins may benefit oral health by fighting bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Moreover, raisins contain mainly fructose and glucose, not sucrose, the main culprit in oral disease."

The data were presented Tuesday in Atlanta during the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.