What you should know about Cranberry.
What is a cranberry?
Cranberries are a beloved part of Thanksgiving celebrations, available in various forms such as cranberry sauce, beverages, and dried cranberries used in different baked goods. They originate from the northern regions of North America, including the northern parts of the United States and Canada. Oftenly called a “Superfood” food that is good for health, due to their high nutritional content and antioxidant properties. A half-cup of cranberries contains only 25 calories.
The nutrients in cranberries have been linked to a reduced risk of urinary tract infections, prevention of certain types of cancer, improvement of immune function, and lowering blood pressure.
Concluding fact of cranberry
Cranberries are popular and beneficial to the body in many ways. They are low in calories and rich in vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin K. Additionally, cranberries contain proanthocyanidins (PACs), antioxidants that may help prevent diseases. Since cranberries are a good source of vitamin K, individuals with blood clotting disorders should consult their doctors before consuming cranberries.
The benefits you’ll get
In the past, Native Americans used cranberries for treating urinary tract infections, kidney diseases, stimulating appetite, stomach complaints, digestive issues, blood disorders, and preventing scurvy. The following are some health benefits associated with cranberries:
- Urinary Tract Disease
Cranberries are widely recognized for their role in preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs), especially for individuals prone to recurrent infections. The high levels of proanthocyanidins (PACs) in cranberries play a key role in preventing bacterial adherence to the walls of the urinary tract. By doing so, PACs in cranberries contribute to the prevention of infections.
However, researchers at Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine found that while cranberry capsules can achieve this effect, cranberry juice may not have the same effect. This is because a very high concentration of cranberry is needed to prevent bacterial adherence effectively, and cranberry juice may not contain a sufficiently high level of PACs to achieve this. (Dr. Timothy Bone, PhD, Deputy Dean of Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine) - Heart and vein disease
There is some evidence suggesting that polyphenols in cranberries may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by preventing the formation of blood clots and lowering blood pressure through anti-inflammatory mechanisms - Cancer
There’s a study shows that the nutrients in cranberries can helps reducing the growth of tumor that is beneficial to Prostate, Liver, Breast, Ovarian and Colorectal cancer - Dential health
Proanthocyanidins in cranberries also contribute benefits to oral health. Research from the Center for Oral Biology and Eastman Department of Dentistry at the University of Rochester Medical Center indicates that cranberries may help prevent the adhesion of bacteria to teeth. This suggests that cranberries could be beneficial in preventing gum disease.
Nutrients of cranberry
A half cup or 55 grams of chopped cranberries
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- Energy 25 Cal
- Protien 0.25 g
- Fat 0.07 g
- Carbohydrate 6.6 Grams including Sugar 2.35 g
- Fiber 2 g
- Calcium: 5 milligrams (mg))
- Iron: 12 milligrams
- Magnesium: 3.5 milligrams
- Phosphorus: 6 milligrams
- Potassium: 44 milligrams
- Sodium: 1 milligram
- Zinc: 0.05 milligrams
- Vitamin C: 7.7 milligrams
- Folate: 0.5 micrograms
- Vitamin A: 35 International Units (IU)
- Vitamin E: 0.72 milligrams
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- Vitamin K: 2.75 micrograms
In addition to these, cranberries also contain B-vitamins such as Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, and Vitamin B6.
Caution
Individuals taking warfarin or Coumadin should be cautious about suddenly increasing their intake of cranberries because cranberries have an anti-clotting effect that may counteract the effects of these medications. However, this information is still conflicting in the available evidence.
Cranberry products may lead to an increased excretion of oxalate in the urine, potentially promoting the formation of kidney stones. Individuals with a history of kidney stones should discuss their cranberry consumption with their healthcare provider before increasing their intake.