For a healthy diet, we need to eat different fruits and veggies to get all the vitamins and minerals our body needs. Cranberries are a fruit that’s good for our health and offers some health perks. Cranberries are from North America, but you can find cranberry juice and supplements all around the world.
Here are six good things about eating cranberries that you should be aware of.
Cranberries have 15+ beneficial vitamins and minerals.
Cranberries are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. For a healthy body, we need vitamins and minerals every day.
Cranberries have vitamins A, B-1, B-3, B-6, C, E, and K. They also contain protein, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, sodium, and phosphorous. They’re famous for the antioxidant called proanthocyanidins (PACs). Antioxidants are vital as they fight harmful cells in the body.
They can help prevent the development of certain long-term illnesses.
Cranberries have essential elements for a healthy body, and some studies suggest they might help slow down chronic diseases. In 2016, experiments on cancer cells showed that cranberry compounds could slow or kill these cells.
While human tests are limited, there’s hope that cranberries can be a helpful part of treatment. Cranberries may also delay age-related issues like memory loss and skin aging.
Eating cranberries can decrease blood pressure.
Cranberries have polyphenols that may lower systolic blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. Studies suggest cranberry supplements can help maintain good cholesterol and increase HDL levels.
One study with 78 overweight people who drank low-calorie cranberry beverages daily found improvements in blood sugar control and higher HDL levels for all.
Cranberries contain elements that can help improve immune function.
Cranberries help protect your immune system and support your gut. Their antioxidants help remove unwanted cells that enter our bodies from food.
When we digest food, the body produces molecules called free radicals. Antioxidants help the body get rid of these molecules and protect cells from harmful bacteria. Cranberries are rich in vitamin C, which boosts the immune system to fight off illnesses like colds.
Cranberries can help with allergies.
For allergies, we often use antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs. Cranberries have something called quercetin, which might lower inflammation. If allergies cause inflammation in your body, eating cranberries could help lessen future allergic reactions.
They are known for lowering the risk of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).
Cranberries come from North America, and Native Americans used to eat them to help with bladder and kidney problems.
The main antioxidant, proanthocyanidins (PACs), in cranberries stops some bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls, which lowers the chance of getting a UTI. But you need a lot of this antioxidant. So, drinking cranberry juice might not work as well as taking a cranberry capsule.
This also works for oral health because PACs can reduce bacteria from sticking to your teeth.
