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Health Benefits of Cranberries

Posted Feb 18 2010 3:05pm

Cranberries, known for their deep red colour and tart taste, are rich in nutrients. Cranberries are revered for their nutritional properties, including being a rich source of antioxidants, dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K and manganese.

The medicinal properties have been known just as long as its culinary use. Cranberries have long been recognized for their antibiotic effects. More famously, cranberries are the food of choice when one suffers from common yeast or urinary tract infections.

Whether cranberries are enjoyed fresh, dried, frozen or in fresh juice form, cranberries defiantly offer a nutritional punch.

My Health Food Quick Notes
Treat and Prevent Urinary Tract Infections
Reduce Risk of Kidney Stone Formation
Lower LDL Cholesterol
Raise HDL Cholesterol
Improve Gastro-Intestinal Health
May Help Prevent Cancer

Protection against Urinary Tract Infection

Cranberries are the go- to food when one wants to relieve the symptoms of a urinary tract infection. Many scientific studies have shown that cranberries are indeed effective in decreasing the risk of urinary tract infections. Evidence suggests that cranberry juice is also effective in treating and preventing urinary tract infections. Its effectiveness arises due to the presence of proanthocyanidins, which prevent pathogens from adhering to the urinary tract.

It is the presence of proanthocyanidins in cranberries that also helps reduce the risk of kidney stone formation as well as helps prevent tooth decay. Quinic acid, which is also found in cranberries, also helps reduce the formation of kidney stones.

Reduce the Risk of Ulcers and Other Gastro-Intestinal Problems

Both scientific evidence and traditional medicinal practice confirm that the intake of cranberries or cranberry juice may help prevent gastric ulcers. This is because cranberries may help eliminate the presence of Helicobacter pylori bacterium, the leading bacterium which causes gastric ulcers.

Help Lower Cholesterol Levels

Cranberries and cranberry juice contain polyphenols, flavonoids and antioxidants that help lower total cholesterol levels and significantly reduce LDL cholesterol. Furthermore, the consumption of cranberries may also help boost HDL cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol. Cranberries also contain compounds that may help increase the health of blood vessels. All these factors reduce the risks of atherosclerosis and protect against heart disease and strokes.

Antioxidant Protection

Cranberries have an abundant amount of antioxidants. Many studies have indicated that the antioxidant levels of cranberries are far superior than many commonly consumed fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants help protect against damage at the cellular level, thereby protecting the body from many harmful conditions such as heart disease, cancers, stroke, arthritis and more.

Cranberry’s Phytonutrients Help Shut Down Human Breast Cancer Cells

Current research suggests that cranberries may help protect against breast cancer. Cranberries may act to stop the growth of breast cancer cells. More research is currently being conducted on this topic.

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