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The Health Benefits Of Cranberries

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Cranberries, which used to surface mainly during the holidays, have become increasingly popular in recent years, as more and more people have come to understand the extraordinary health benefits the little red berries contain. Cranberries were undoubtedly served at the first Thanksgiving because Native Americans were among the first to discover their flavor and health-giving properties.

The cranberry is a small, red berry that grows on low-hanging vines in temperate zones throughout the United States. It is a member of the same family of plants as bilberry and blueberry. Cranberries are available throughout most of the winter and they can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to four weeks. Before using, sort and rinse cranberries under running water. They can be cooked on your stovetop in a matter of minutes and used in sauces, relishes, muffins, marinades and teas. Fresh cranberries can be frozen up to a year.

Although they have traditionally been used to prevent and treat urinary tract infections and kidney stones, recent research has found that cranberries and cranberry products may help protect against numerous health problems, including cancer and heart disease. Cranberries contain significant amounts of antioxidants and other phytonutrients. Antioxidants are believed to counteract the negative effects of free radicals.

Cranberry supplements are made from the dried and ground up berries but typically don’t have fiber so they are easily absorbed by the body. They contain concentrated amounts of the extracts that inhibit bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall.

Other health benefits of cranberries include:

Reduced risk of problems in the GI tract

The same properties of cranberries that keep bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract have been shown to help prevent bacteria from causing GI disturbances.

Reduced risk of tooth decay

Laboratory studies have suggested that cranberries may keep certain oral bacteria from attaching to teeth and gum surfaces. Less bacteria could potentially keep gums healthy and slow the development of gum disease.

Reduced LDL cholesterol levels

Some studies have shown that cranberries can raise HDL (good) cholesterol and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Blood Clot Prevention

Experimental evidence suggests cranberries may act to reduce the formation of blood clots.

There are a variety of ways to get the cranberry’s anti-adhesion benefits. One eight-ounce glass of cranberry juice cocktail contains the same level of nutrients as a 1/4 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries, a 1/3 cup of sweetened, dried cranberries, or a 1/3 cup of cranberry sauce. In addition, while cranberry packs a nutritious punch, drinking one 8-ounce serving of 100% cranberry juice, or eating 1/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries counts as half your daily requirements for fruit.