Itzhak Ofek of Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine in Israel, who has studied the cranberry for 20 years, says cranberry juice exhibits anti-viral properties against the flu, can prevent cavities and lessens the reoccurrence of gastric ulcers.

However, research published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, suggests that the healing power of cranberries may apply only to women.

Cranberries have a molecule known as non-dialyzable material, or NDM, that seems to coat some bodily surfaces with Teflon-like efficiency, preventing infection-causing agents from taking root.

Ofek and Dr. Haim Shmuely of Beilinson Hospital and Tel Aviv University found cranberry also inhibits two-thirds of the "unhealthy" bacteria that clings to gastric cells, which lead to ulcers.

Ofek's recommends women drink two glasses a day of cranberry juice to treat certain infections, but since "there is still so much we don't know about cranberries, I would suggest that men also drink two glasses a day."