Cranberry

Cranberries are among the fruits and vegetables richest in health-promoting antioxidants, which protect our cells from free-radical damage.

The disease-fighting antioxidants found in cranberries outrank many other fruits and vegetables, including strawberries, spinach, broccoli, and red grapes. Cranberries, which are sold fresh, frozen, and dried, are commonly used in products like juices, sauces, jellies, baked goods, and teas.

Researchers believe that cranberries contain substances that prevent infection-causing bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls, and that they are also an excellent source of many important vitamins and nutrients, including vitamin C, manganese, and fiber. As you’re about to see, the health benefits of cranberries are incredible to say the least!

Nutrition Facts of Cranberries:

Relatively speaking, cranberries include an astounding collection of phytonutrients, all for a low amount of calories and sugar, plus almost no fat or sodium. Many of these phytonutrients offer anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer health benefits.

 Cranberries contain:

• An extremely high score of “antioxidant capacity”, even beating out other “superfoods” like strawberries in terms of the number of specific antioxidants like Proanthocyanidin
• Only 46 calories per cup of fresh berries
• Balanced levels of electrolytes including potassium and sodium
• Low score on the glycemic index

A one cup serving of cranberries provides the following percentage of daily value:

• 24% Vitamin C
• 18% dietary fiber
• 20% manganese
• 8% of Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol)
• 7% copper
• 6% of Vitamin K
• 6% pantothenic acid        
   

Proven Cranberry Benefits 

Ready to learn more about this super fruit? Here is a list of the top 6 health benefits of cranberries according to medical research and then we will discuss how to use cranberries to take your health to the next level!

1. Prevents and Treats Urinary Tract Infections: 

The cranberry is perhaps best known for its role in preventing UTIs, especially for those with recurrent infections. The high level of proanthocyanidins (PACs) in cranberries helps reduce the adhesion of certain bacteria to the urinary tract walls, in turn fighting off infections.

2. Cardiovascular Disease:

 Some evidence suggests that the polyphenols in cranberries may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by preventing platelet build-up and reducing blood pressure via anti-inflammatory mechanisms.⁴

3. Prevents Cancers:

Research has shown that cancer-preventive substances found in cranberries are helpful in preventing breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancers.

4. Improves Immune Function:

According to some studies, cranberry extract, which seems to be equivalent to eating whole, raw cranberries, can improve multiple aspects of immune function, and it can lower the frequency of cold and flu symptoms.

5. Benefits The Digestive Tract:

Cranberries are believed to have cleansing, anti-diarrheal, anti-septic, and diuretic detoxifying properties. They help the body to eliminate toxins and build up, plus they aid in relieving water retention and bloating. Our digestive system goes beyond just our intestines and stomach- it is actually made up of our entire mouth, gums, and colon too.