Cranberry Nutrition | Health Benefits

Natural Food Energy | 17 impressive cranberry Nutrition health benefits. Know more about cranberry fruit health benefits and nutrition facts, for a healthy life. These tart, tangy berries are high in antioxidant vitamin C, making them great immunity-boosters.

Cranberry Fruit

Native North Americans first introduced Europeans to cranberries to help them to combat scurvy, and it became recognized that the acidity of cranberries increases the natural acidity of urine, thus preventing bacteria from thriving.

One of the natural-health success stories of the past few years, cranberries have proved their value in preventing urinary tract infections, such as cystitis. The powerful ingredient is a flavonoid called proanthocyanidins, which is more abundant in cranberries than in most other fruits.

Proanthocyanidins prevent bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract wall and prevent infections of the stomach in the same way. Other compounds in this berry have been found to inhibit plaque­-causing bacteria in the mouth, which causes tooth decay and gum disease. Cranberries can also combat kidney stone formation.

A valuable source of antioxidant vitamin C, cranberries are also rich in beta-carotene and folic acid, enabling them to help to ward off colds, flu and many other diseases, including some cancers. Many people now eat cranberries every day, as the first line of defense.

If you have difficulty finding the fresh berries, buy dried cranberries, juice or extract instead. For maximum benefit, drink a glass of unsweet­ened cranberry juice or take 800mg of cranberry extract daily.

Cranberry Nutrition

Cranberry-Nutrition-Health-Benefits

Cranberry Nutrition | Vitamins B5, C, K, beta-carotene, folic acid; calcium, iron, magnesium, Manganese; phosphorus, potassium, selenium; ellagic acid, FLAVONOIDS, TANNINS; FIBRE; CARBOHYDRATE

17 Health Benefits Of Cranberry

  1. ANTI-BACTERIAL
  2. ANTIVIRAL
  3. ANTIOXIDANT
  4. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
  5. ANTI-AGING
  6. ANTI-CANCER
  7. DETOXIFYING
  8. BLOOD-SUGAR BALANCING
  9. ENERGY-BOOSTING
  10. GOOD FOR THE BRAIN
  11. GOOD FOR HAIR, TEETH, AND NAILS
  12. GOOD FOR THE SKIN
  13. GOOD FOR THE EYES
  14. GOOD FOR THE HEART
  15. GOOD FOR THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
  16. GOOD FOR THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
  17. GOOD FOR THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Easy Cranberry Recipes

CRANBERRY AND BANANA SMOOTHIE

  • 300ml / 10 ½ fl oz / 1 ¼ cups unsweetened cranberry juice
  • 350ml/ 10 ½ fl oz/ 1 ¼ cups white grape juice
  • 2 bananas, chopped
  • 10 strawberries, hulled
  • 400g / 14oz / 1 ⅔ cups plain bio-yogurt or soy yogurt
  • 3 tbsp clear honey

Put all the ingredients in a blender and whizz until smooth. Drink immediately.

CRANBERRY-ORANGE RELISH

  • 300g / 12oz / 2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen
  • 1 orange, unpeeled, cut into eighths and deseeded
  • 1 apple, unpeeled, cut into eighths and cored
  • 75g / 2 ½ 0z/ ⅓ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp ground ginger

Blend the fruit in a food processor. Stir in the sugar and ginger, and transfer to a glass jar. Cover with a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Use when needed.

CRANBERRY SAUCE

  • 115g / 4oz / ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 250ml/ 9fl oz/ 1 cup cranberry or orange juice
  • 2.5cm/ 1in piece root ginger, peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp red wine (optional)
  • 2 tbsp clear honey

Place the cranberries and juice in a pan and soak for 30 minutes. Bring to the boil, add the ginger and wine, if using, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring. Mix in the honey and serve with meat or a nut roast.

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