Cranberries Anyone?

Cranberries are a delicious side to any meal. They are especially good with roast turkey or chicken and are often included with holiday meals, but now you don’t have to wait until a holiday to have some. You can more readily find frozen cranberries at your grocery store than in years previous.

A recipe for Vitamin C Rich Cranberry Sauce is included in this blog. See below.

Here is why you should include Cranberries in your diet more often.

Besides tasting good when prepared properly, cranberries are good for mouth health. You would think that because they are tart-tasting and that you usually have to add a small amount of sugar to make them palatable, they would increase the acidity in your mouth, but that is not the case. They have properties that can actually lessen the amount of acid in your mouth and stop it from remaining on your teeth. Cranberries prevent bacteria from forming in your mouth, which helps reduce cavities, gum disease, tooth decay, and even oral cancer. But don’t stop flossing and brushing!

Antioxidants contained in Cranberries include:

• Anthocyanins are said to have anti-inflammatory effects and also be instrumental in preventing cancer.
• Cyanidins give the fruits their high color. They help decrease blood glucose levels without interfering with muscle protein synthesis.
• Myricetin is a flavonoid that is a strong anti-oxidant with anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Peonidin is an antioxidant with prebiotic activity.
• Proanthocyanidins are an amazing ingredient that keeps bacteria from sticking to cell walls. This can be very beneficial throughout the body as well as for oral health.
• Quercetin is often used to treat cancer, allergic reactions, inflammation, arthritis, and cardiovascular disorders. This flavonoid also plays an important role in “platelet aggregation and the peroxidation of lipids and enhances the biogenesis of mitochondria.”
• Ursolic acid is found in the cranberry peels and helps reduce inflammation.

Vitamins and Minerals included in Cranberries:

• vitamin A
• B-Complex vitamins
• vitamin C
• vitamin E
• vitamin K
• Minerals
• Calcium
• Copper
• Iron
• Manganese
• Potassium

More benefits to eating Cranberries on a regular basis.

Cranberries improve gut health by reducing bile acids and help keep the good bacteria working properly in your digestive system. Recent findings say eating cranberries may be able to stop a harmful bacteria called Heliobacter pylori and prevent ulcers.

Cranberries can help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) since the proanthocyanidins in cranberries inhibit bacteria from attaching to the walls of the bladder.

Cranberries reduce common bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Listeria monocytogenes and may also help destroy viruses.

Cranberries are good for heart health, lowering blood pressure and improving cholesterol.

The Vitamin C in Cranberries is important for skin health.

How to eat more Cranberries.

You can eat cranberries raw, but they are so tart that most people won’t want to. You can buy ready-made cranberry sauce, but watch the sugar content. Dried cranberries are tasty but have less vitamins. Cranberry juice is a good alternative, but it can be less effective than eating the entire cranberry. Remember, the peels contain an important antioxidant called Ursolic acid.

Cranberry Compote Sauce with Oranges—Whole oranges reduce the amount of sugar or sweetener needed, and orange peels contain great goodness in themselves.