Cranberry fruit – The Most Wonderful Fruit
Now more than ever, our health is threatened. Every day we hear new disease has been discovered, people became prone to many more bacteria, viruses, etc., and an overall advice is always given- try to keep yourselves healthy! Also, we are advised to eat this and that, drink a lot of water and freshly made juices, take all the vitamins and minerals, exercise… If one would stick to all those rules, he would barely have time to do anything else. But, this doesn’t mean that we have to give it up.
There is a thing, beneficial for almost everything, and it won’t take you more than few minutes a day. This is – cranberry, so called “super-fruit” or “wonder-berries”, because of their nutrient content and all the benefits.
Cranberries have a long history of medicinal use. Native Americans, on whose territory it is found, used it for the treatments of bladder and kidney disease centuries ago. We all know they are good for us, at least because they are fruits. They help us purify our bodies; they are full of antioxidants, flavonoides, a lot of vitamins, such as: C, Ca, Mg, P, K, Na, A, and K. Also they are full of beta carotene. But, despite all this, they are known for their low caloric value, which is 46 kcal per 100 grams.
They can be eaten fresh, as a juice, sauce, and as a sweetened dried fruit. If you freeze them at your homes, I need to warn you that they can be kept up to 9 months, after that period their valuable ingredients are lost.
They are good for our cardiovascular system, immune system, and as anti-cancer agents. A recent study, carried out by researchers of Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, showed that chemicals present in cranberries, called proanthocyanidins (PACs), prevent infection-causing bacteria (e.g. E.coli) from attaching to the cells of urinary tract. Also, they do well to our mouth, bones, and stomach.
So, instead of thinking of several different products, it is easier to make yourselves a cup of nice cranberry tea or juice, or even to eat them dried. They look good, they taste good and, above all, they do you good!
