Cranberries: Why You Should Have This Tarty Berry As You Grow

Blogs17 Sep 2024

Deep red, tiny and delicious, cranberries are vibrant fruits that are loved by all. They have a unique tart taste and are often found in juices, sauces, and confectionary items and their dried versions are present in cereal bars, chocolates and cheeses too. These berries are rich in antioxidants and are native to North America. Typically harvested from September to December, cranberries have been historically used to eat, as a dye and even as medicine by the Native North American people.

Cranberries' excellent nutrition and divine taste have been translated worldwide, and these berries are now popular in India as well. But are they worth adding to your diet? We’ll discuss all the advantages of cranberry and more in this article, so let’s get started.

Nutritional Value of Cranberries

The American Cranberry contains a host of nutrients and phytochemicals that can be linked to several health benefits. Cranberries contain antioxidants, especially Vitamin C and flavonoids. They also contain Vitamin E, K, Manganese and dietary fibre in significant amounts while being low in fat and calories. They also contain the simplest form of sugar, glucose, which is the natural fuel of the body. Dried cranberries tend to be sweeter but have a similar nutritional profile as well.

Health Benefits of Cranberries

Now that we know the amazing amount of nutrition cranberries hold, let’s understand some of the main cranberry juice benefits. Here are the top advantages of cranberry:

1. Urinary Tract Health

Urinary tract infections are typically treated with antibiotics; however, this can sometimes cause antibiotic resistance in the body. Cranberries can be a type of management technique for Urinary tract infections (UTIs). These berries contain polyphenols and other complex compounds that have antimicrobial properties that can effectively prevent urinary infections.

2. Heart Health

Studies done on cranberries have found positive links between the consumption of these berries and better cardiovascular health. These berries may lower bad cholesterol and improve good cholesterol and lipid profiles which can boost cardiovascular health. These berries have also been linked to reducing blood pressure and decreasing the risk of diabetes, however, more studies, particularly human studies, are required to establish this connection.

3. Digestive Health

Due to their high fibre content, cranberries promote digestive health. They may help prevent constipation and maintain a healthy digestive tract. Additionally, cranberries help introduce good bacteria in the digestive system and reduce the bad bacteria in the colon which can improve overall digestive health.

4. Reduces inflammation

The high amounts of antioxidants in cranberries can help reduce inflammation in the body. They also help lower the risk of chronic conditions, so it’s good to have a healthy serving of cranberries often.

How to Incorporate Cranberries into Your Diet

Now that you know all the advantages of dried cranberries, let’s discuss how to add more of them into your routine:

• A sweet addition to your breakfasts: Add a couple of dried cranberries to your morning bowl of oatmeal or cereal. You can also simply mix them in a bowl of Greek yoghurt for an easy breakfast filled with goodness and nutrition.
• Blend into smoothies: Making a smoothie for breakfast or a filling snack between meals? Add a few cranberries to it for a delicious taste and some extra nutrition.
• Trail Mix: If you make trail mixes at home by combining healthy nuts and seeds, then you can add some dried cranberries to these mixes for a great on-the-go snacking option that is healthy, sweet and nourishing too.

Conclusion

Cranberries are quintessentially red, tarty berries that are grown in North America. They are popular all over the world and contain a host of important nutrients. They are bursting with Vitamin C, flavonoids, fibre, Vitamin E, K, Manganese etc. All of these nutrients and phytochemicals help give us many cranberry juice benefits such as supporting heart health, digestive health, reducing inflammation, fighting urinary tract infections etc. You can add cranberries in many ways. Some examples are using them with oatmeal, cereal or Greek yoghurt, adding them to trail mixes and so on. So if you’re looking for wholesome and refreshing additions to your regular meals and snacks, be sure to add a touch of cranberries to your diet!

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