Benefits of the cranberry:
- Cranberries are high in vitamin C, and have antioxidant and antibacterial effects in the body.
- Cranberries are a rich source of the flavonoid quercetin which can inhibit the development of both breast and colon cancers.
- Preliminary studies show that drinking cranberry juice is good for the health of the heart.
- Research indicates that cranberries are an excellent source of antioxidants which may protect against cancer, heart disease and other diseases.
- Found to decrease production of cavity and plaque producing bacteria in your mouth.
- Also found to reduce the bacteria associated with peptic stomach ulcers.
- In clinical studies, cranberries have been shown to help maintain a healthy urinary tract.
- Cranberries are especially beneficial to the eyes (they significantly improve symptoms of cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy).
- Cranberries contain natural chemicals that act as antibacterial agents and preventing E. Coli which is the bacteria largely responsible for urinary tract infections, from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract.
- The chemicals in cranberry juice flush the E. Coli from the body during urination thus it is not able to cause an infection.
- Cranberries contain quinic acid which prevents calcium and specific phosphate chemicals from binding together. These two binding together is what forms kidney stones thus preventing kidney stones.
But, don't forget that...the health benefits of cranberries are almost totally depleted when generous amounts of sugar are added. Thus the cranberry cannot provide you with its full phytonutrient benefits when there has been lots of sugar added.
Fun Facts:
- Sex and the City made the red juice of cranberries popular in the 90's with their favorite cranberry cocktail, the Cosmopolitan.
- The estimated value of cranberries grown in the United States is several hundred million dollars.
- Native Americans treated a variety of illnesses, including bladder infections, with cranberry preparations.
- Cranberries are sometimes called "bounceberries" because they bounce when ripe
sources: www.care2.com
