Best Benefits of Cranberries and Cranberry Juice

I am a big fan of cranberries and cranberry juice and just like blueberry juice, it is something I enjoy all year round. Cranberries, which are high in nutrients and anti-oxidants, are considered a 'super food'. The juice, made from whole cranberries, is dark red and has a tart taste.It is usually diluted with water before drinking. I always dilute it with water. It strengthens the immune system and is great for the overall health. 

Cranberries grow on evergreen dwarf shrubs or vines up to two meters long. The plants have slender, wiry stems and small, evergreen leaves. The flowers are dark pink and pollinated by bees. The cranberry fruit is an edible berry with an acidic taste. It is light green at first and then turns red as it ripens. It grows naturally in the U.S. and Canada. Native Americans used raw cranberries to dress wounds. Cranberries also grow in northern and central Europe and Chile. They are now a major commercial crop and are commonly used to make juice, sauce, jam and sweetened dried cranberries. Cranberries are also sold fresh. 

Best Benefits of Cranberries and Cranberry Juice 

Cranberries and cranberry juice are very rich in antioxidants, vitamin C and salycylic acid. They also contain proteins, carbohydrates and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, zinc and other vitamins, such as B6, E and K. Cranberry juice only contains 45 calories in a cup. Cranberry juice is famous for its ability to prevent urinary tract infections. It makes the urine more acidic, which makes it difficult for the infection-causing bacteria to survive. Cranberry juice contains proanthocyanidins, which prevent bacteria from binding itself to the cells on the wall of the bladder. However, it is not a cure for urinary tract infections once they start. 

The flavenoids in cranberries have antioxidant properties and are believed to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, or narrowing of the arteries, caused by fat, calcium and cholesterol building up in the blood. This condition blocks the flow of oxygen-rich blood around the body and could lead to a heart attack or stroke. 

Cranberries and cranberry juice are high in fiber, which is essential for good digestion and intestinal health, which, in turn, prevents many diseases. Because they are also rich in flavenoids, they prevent peptic ulcers by inhibiting the growth of bacteria that attacks the protective layer of the stomach and duodenum. Cranberries contain calcium, which strengthens the bones and teeth and lowers the risk of osteoporosis. The proanthocyanidines contribute to the prevention of tooth cavities because they stop harmful bacteria from sticking to the teeth. If consuming the juice, it is important to buy pure, natural juice and avoid some of the commercial cranberry juices which are high in sugar and acidity. Cranberries can also destroy the bacteria that causes bad breath. 

The antioxidants in cranberries give protection against colds, sore throats, respiratory and ear infections. They have anti-inflammatory properties and protect the lungs from the effects of influenza and flu infections. Even though I prefer cold drinks in summer and hot drinks in winter, cranberry juice is an all-year-round drink for me to keep the colds away. 

 Cranberries and cranberry juice contain polyphenolic compounds. These are believed to inhibit the development and spreading of tumors. Another benefit of the proanthocyanidines they contain is that they help stop the growth of cancer cells. Properties in cranberries can also prevent the multiplication of breast cancer cells as well as blood clots. 

Sailors once carried cranberries on board ships to avoid scurvy because of their high levels of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that blocks free radical damage and enhances the immune system. The body needs vitamin C to make collagen, essential for the healthy functioning of tissues. 

Regular consumption of cranberries and cranberry juice contributes to a youthful appearance and a glowing skin. The antioxidants and phytonutrients, naturally occurring plant chemicals that give protection from free radicals, help ward off the signs of ageing, such as wrinkles, redness and discoloration of the skin. 

Cranberry juice acts as a skin toner. It contains enzymes which exfoliate dead skin. Its acidity is beneficial for oily skin and its antiseptic properties help in cases of acne. 

Cranberries contain organic acids, which have an emulsifying effect on fat deposits, so they can play a part in facilitating weight loss. The vitamins A and C in cranberries encourage the growth of healthy hair. Vitamin C is necessary to treat damaged hair. Regular consumption of cranberries helps prevent alopecia and psoriasis. They have antifungal and antiseptic qualities, which prevent dandruff and other scalp disorders. 

Cranberries have been effective against yeast infections, which are caused by an overgrowth of yeast in the body. Fresh cranberry juice removes excess yeast and other fungi from the body.

 How to Use Cranberries and Cranberry Juice

Cranberries are very popular for their many uses. They appear in sauces and jams. They can be added to breakfast cereals and smoothies and are used in baking recipes, such as muffins. Dried cranberries add extra taste to a mix of nuts and seeds. Cranberry extracts have been used on people who suffer from urinary incontinence to deodorize the urine. It is possible to use cranberry juice topically. It can be applied to the scalp and left for a while before washing the hair to assist in alleviating scalp conditions. if mixed with water and poured over the hair after washing, it will highlight and bring a shine to dark or red shades of hair color. It can be mixed with honey and applied to the skin and left for a while before washing off, to act as a toner. 

Risks of Cranberries and Cranberry Juice

The most important thing to remember about cranberry products, especially the juice or the extract, is to consume them in moderation. Excessive consumption could have negative effects. Cranberry juice is famous for its ability to prevent urinary infections but it should be avoided in cases of interstitial cystitis, which is a painful bladder condition in which the lining of the bladder is damaged and the urine comes into contact with sensitive tissue. Cranberry juice can aggravate this. Excessive consumption of cranberry products could cause an upset stomach and elevated blood sugar levels, so people with stomach problems or diabetes need to take care. Tooth enamel could be eroded by too much cranberry juice or extract. Consult a health practitioner before using cranberry products if on medication as they can interfere with some medications, especially heart medicine. People with a history of kidney stones should be careful before using cranberry products as they increase urine oxalate excretions. 

 How to Store Cranberries and Cranberry Juice

If buying cranberry juice, purchase pure organic juice to be sure that it is free from added preservatives, coloring and flavor. It is best bought in a dark glass bottle and kept in the fridge after opening.
 If purchasing fresh cranberries, select ones that are firm and plump. Avoid ones that are dull-colored and wrinkled or have whitish spots.Cranberries can be stored for about three weeks in the fridge in plastic refridgeration bags or in a covered container, including the one they came in. They can also be stored in the freezer in the original packaging or in an airtight container or freezer bags. They can easily be kept for a year like this.