The Health Benefits of Cranberries
Cranberries may help to combat heart disease and cancer.
Studies find that there are many more health benefits to eating cranberries that anyone previously supposed.
Cranberries are an under appreciated fruit. Research has validated the old adage that drinking cranberry juice will reduce or eliminate instances of urinary tract infection, but other, more recent studies have also linked the lowly cranberry with increased benefits in fighting heart disease and cancer.
The Benefits of Cranberries in Combating Urinary Tract Infection
The proanthocyanidins in cranberries can inhibit bacteria from attaching to the wall of the urinary tract. This limits their ability to produce colonies and spread infection. Of course, your mother wouldn't be surprised by this news. She already knows that it's important to drink lots of cranberry juice if you are prone to urinary tract ailments.
Cranberries and Heart Disease
Because they contain flavonoids, studies reported by WebMD Medical News suggest that cranberries can be a weapon in the war against atherosclerosis, or what they used to call "hardening of the arteries". Flavonoids help reduce the amount of bad cholesterol clogging the walls of your arteries while increasing the level of good cholesterol in your system.
Cranberries and Cancer
Research at the University of Western Ontario cites increased ingestion of cranberries as a factor in inhibiting the development of breast cancer cells in animals. Although preliminary, this exciting research shows that diet changes can have an impact on our health and aid in fight disease.
Other Health Benefits of Cranberries
The good news doesn't stop there. Cranberries have also been associated with decreased production of cavity and plaque producing bacteria in your mouth, and in reducing the bacteria associated with peptic stomach ulcers.
Cranberries are in Many Food Products
Eating more cranberries can be easy and inexpensive. Cranberries, in one incarnation or another, have become more popular in recent years, growing from their isolated use as a festive holiday relish to a year round beverage, flavoring, and treat.
If you are inspired to reconsider your beverage choices in favor of cranberry juice, try the new lower sugar added varieties. Cranberries are popping up all over your grocery store, so look for them as an ingredient in your muffin mixes, marinades, and dressings as well as the familiar canned varieties. Don't forget the dried cranberries available in your produce department, either. Portable, natural, and nutritious, dried cranberries (with no sugar added) are a great snack or lunch box choice.
Cranberries, or bounceberries, are available fresh through most of the winter, and can be cooked on your stovetop in a matter of minutes. The resulting sauce can be used as a healthy and flavorful accompaniment to pork, turkey, or any game animal. If you want to cut back on sugar, replace some of the sugar in your fresh cranberry recipe with a temperature resistant sugar substitute like Splenda.
Add more cranberries to your diet and take advantage of the health benefits associated with this colorful fruit. The cranberryinstitute.org has an excellent research section with an extensive bibliography if you want additional information about cranberries and your health.
