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Cranberry Benefits
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Cranberry benefits are well-known to most people as being quite potent in fighting urinary tract infection or UTI. However, cranberries are increasingly related to a host of health benefits that extend far beyond their traditional UTI bailiwick.
The cranberry fruit has a round shape, a deep red color, a glossy texture, and a taste that is highly tart and often overpowering its sweetness. Cranberry comes from creeping vines that usually reaches up to a length of 7 feet, with thin, sinewy stems bearing diminutive evergreen leaves. The stems of the cranberry plant are not densely wooded, while the flowers of the plant have a pink color. |
 The cranberry crop most widely cultivated today is a native of the Americas . This was believed to have originated in the sandy bogs of the Northeastern areas of the United States and Canada . There are also several species of cranberries that grow wild in Europe and Asia but it is the American variety that is most well-known throughout the world.
Cranberry sauce has traditionally been added to meat dishes in the United States. This tradition dates back to the days of the Pilgrims when they used the sauce from the fruit to complement their Thanksgiving banquet that consisted mostly of wild turkey. Cranberry sauces may have had their beginnings with the Native American tribes who were already using the fruit for food and dye purposes. That tradition lives to the present times and sales of cranberry fruit, juice and sauces in the United States have been associated with the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays .
However, the cranberry fruit is believed to retain its maximum nutrient content and its maximum taste when it is enjoyed fresh and not prepared in a cooked recipe.
The following are the health food nutrients abundant in cranberry:
In addition, the cranberry is similarly replete with phytochemicals and antioxidants that impart beneficial effects to those who consume it. These include phenolic acids, proanthocyanins, anthocyanins, flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin), tannins, and triterpenoids.
It is believed that the deeper the red color of the cranberry fruit, the greater is the concentration of its beneficial anthocyanin compounds.
The proanthocyanin content of cranberry is believed to be the primary reason for its vaunted anti-UTI properties. Scientists have said that its unique structure makes it difficult for bacteria (i.e. e coli) to latch on the urinary tract.
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The following are the cranberry benefits attributed to this health food:
Cranberry is known to fight urinary tract infection. Cranberry may help lower bad cholesterol levels and boost good cholesterol levels in the body, thus potentially enhancing cardiovascular health. Cranberry may help fight free radical damage, thus helping lower the risk for certain cancers. Cranberry may help fight bacteria and viruses due to its abundant vitamin C content. Cranberry may help enhance the health of the digestive tract. Cranberry may help fight scurvy. Cranberry may help fight inflammation.
Caution in consuming cranberry fruit is recommended for people who are taking the coagulant medication warfarin. There is evidence for possible adverse reaction between warfarin and the fruit. Those who are suffering from hyperacidity may also wish to consult with their physicians before consuming this fruit. Finally, individuals with kidney stones may also want to consult with their physicians before consuming cranberries as these contain small amounts of oxalates that may aggravate existing condition.
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