The benefits of cranberries for the body

Often, folk medicine refers to the beneficial properties of cranberries. It can be found in any form: fresh, frozen, dried or dried. We will take a closer look at the benefits and harms of cranberries, as well as learn recipes for creating medicines.

What is this berry

Cranberry (from the Latin oxycoccos) means "sour berry". Another name is berry-crane, because when opening, the flowers of the plant resemble the neck of this bird. Cranberry grows as an evergreen shrub, on flexible stems. Its berries are small red fruits with a spherical, ovoid or ellipsoidal shape. A culture grows in a swamp and bears fruit with a diameter of 16 mm.

Just one bush can produce hundreds of useful berries. They can be harvested even in November. The berry is rich in antioxidants and other beneficial substances. This is why cranberries are valued. Its beneficial properties are due to its unique composition.

Composition and calorie content of cranberries

Despite its sour taste, the crane berry is very popular. This is a natural medicine that has a positive effect not only on the entire state of the body, but can also affect the whole system or a specific organ. The berry brings benefits to absolutely everyone.

Nutritional value (100 g):

• proteins - 390 mg;
• water - 8700 mg;
• fats - 130 mg: saturated fat - 11 mg, monounsaturated - 18 mg, polyunsaturated - 55 mg;
• carbohydrates - 12,200 mg: sugars - 4040 mg, dietary fiber - 4600 mg.

The calorie content of a healthy berry is 46 kcal or 191 kJ per 100 g of product. Cranberries are rich in vitamins and other elements. They are listed in the table below:

What are cranberries useful for?

As you can see from the table, the crane berry is useful because it has a huge content of vitamin C. It is a powerful antioxidant that can treat cold symptoms, improves skin condition, heals wounds, and lowers cholesterol. It is even recommended to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. The daily norm is 60 to 100 mg per day. Eating just 100 grams of cranberries can provide 25% of your daily requirement for vitamin C.

It also contains a lot of potassium, which regulates the water, water-salt and acid-base balance. It is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses, it is needed for protein synthesis and the processing of glucose into glycogen. Potassium has a positive effect on intestinal activity. But, that's not all the health benefits of cranberries.

It can take a long time to list the useful properties, but we will focus on the main ones:

• prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections;
• reducing inflammation due to the large amount of beneficial antioxidants;
• prevention of cancer;
• strengthening immunity due to the content of vitamin C;
• positive effect on the digestive tract;
• reducing the risk of heart disease;
• dysentery treatment;
• cleansing the skin;
• elimination of boils, acne and acne;
• prevention of dental problems;
• positive effect on the kidneys and bladder;
• accelerating weight loss with diets;
• content in the composition of anthocyanins, quercetin, benzoic acid, epicatechins.

Only this suggests that the berry-crane is a universal product with useful properties. If you include it in the diet, you can reduce the risk of various types of diseases and improve the condition of the body.

For women

The benefits of cranberries for women are versatile. Not only does it have the above positive effects, but it is also able to improve the condition of the skin, hair and emphasize beauty. It's all about the content of useful vitamins that regulate the production of female hormones, and also help to better absorb iodine.

If you use the berry-crane, you can reduce menstrual pain, as well as calm the nervous system. Losing weight is an ongoing process that women adhere to. Healthy berry helps to solve problems with excess weight, removes toxins and cholesterol, as well as excess fluid from the body. Helps relieve swelling. Benefit in its property to slow down the aging process. The skin stays healthy for longer, wrinkles are smoothed out, and hair does not fall out and has a natural shine.

For men

Vitamins C, E and the group of B vitamins, improve the condition of blood vessels, make them more elastic. This is the prevention of stroke and heart attack. And the presence of organic acids in the composition of the useful berry-crane helps to reduce inflammation of the genitourinary system. Eating berries will help prevent male diseases such as prostate adenoma.

Cranberry juice improves the quality of the semen and also has a positive effect on potency. The juice cleanses the respiratory tract, restoring water balance.

Can a child be given cranberries

Cranberries are not prohibited for children, but, on the contrary, are recommended due to their beneficial properties. The berry is allowed to be introduced into the diet after the child has started eating vegetables and cereals. Already at 8 months, a child can be given cranberry juice if he feeds on breast milk, and at 6 months with artificial feeding.

Twice a week will be enough for the child. Fresh berries are best given at the age of three. You can make mashed potatoes by boiling them and rubbing them through a sieve.

The norm at the age of one to three years is 15 g. The product is introduced into the diet gradually, 0.5 tsp. fruit drink or puree.

Cranberries during pregnancy and breastfeeding

The list of useful properties that the berry has on pregnant women:

• removes toxins, normalizes the balance of water and salt in the body, which improves the condition in case of toxicosis;
• juice eliminates edema caused by fluid retention;
• during pregnancy, the body spends twice as much nutrients and vitamins, so a woman needs to consume more of them;
• berries serve as the prevention of anemia;
• keeps teeth healthy;
• it helps to normalize the condition of the veins and improves blood flow, preventing the development of varicose veins;
• It is a safe and natural cold remedy that reduces fever and inflammation.

It is recommended to give cranberries to a nursing mother, as it improves immunity, acts as a sedative. In addition, this useful berry removes accumulated allergens, and itself is hypoallergenic.

Medicinal properties of cranberries and folk recipes

The beneficial properties of the berry made it indispensable in folk medicine. To fight common diseases, you need to know the recipes and methods for taking cranberries.

To improve immunity

To improve the body's defenses, you need:

• take a glass or a handful of cranberries;
• pour boiling water over it, 0.5 l will be enough;
• insist in a thermos;
• use as a tea after straining.

To enhance the effect, honey is added to the tea. He will sweeten the drink. Another way is cranberries, mashed with sugar. It can be prepared in advance and put in the refrigerator. If necessary, pour a few spoons into a glass, add hot water and use as tea.

For colds and flu

At the first symptoms (fever, runny nose), you need to immediately take a healthy cranberry. Alternatively, drink juices and infusions from berries, or use pure. Cranberry tincture is good for prevention:

• take a glass of berries;
• crush them;
• transfer to a saucepan and pour 1 liter of boiling water;
• put on the stove and wait for a boil.

It remains to insist it a little and use 1 glass 2-3 times a day during the symptoms of the disease.

With hypertension

Does cranberry raise or lower blood pressure? It lowers it, therefore it is recommended for hypertension. If the pressure is high, then it is recommended to use cranberry juice or fruit drink.

Prescription for lowering pressure:

• Grind 1 kg of healthy cranberries in a blender;
• do the same with a glass of garlic;
• mix and pour honey (0.5 l).

Take the resulting useful cranberry medicine in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening, 1 spoonful.

With diabetes mellitus

Due to its beneficial properties, cranberries are recommended for people with diabetes. It does not cause an increase in blood glucose in type 1 disease. With type 2, cranberries not only do no harm, they will become useful. It regulates the work of the pancreas, which is responsible for the production of insulin. It also maintains optimal sugar levels.

You can use the product regularly, in amounts up to 100 g. A medicinal drink is also made:

• make mashed potatoes from 3 tablespoons of healthy berries;
• pour hot water over everything, but not boiling water, about 60 ℃.

Take the medicine 4 times a day, 2 tbsp. l.

With cystitis

Since cranberry reduces inflammation of the urinary tract, it is simply irreplaceable for cystitis. It has a diuretic and antiseptic effect.

The substances contained in the berry prevent bacteria from adhering to the wall of the bladder. To get rid of cystitis and reduce pain, it is enough to drink 2 glasses of crane berry juice per day.

For joint diseases

The presence of quercetin in cranberries has made it an excellent remedy for joint pain. It reduces them and fights disease. Berries remove toxic substances, strengthen blood vessels, dissolve accumulated salts and accelerate tissue repair.

Recipe:

• Rinse 1 kg of cranberries;
• chop and add 200 g of garlic (chopped);
• stir and refrigerate for half a day;
• at the end add honey, 0.5 l and mix.

Consume twice a day, 30 g after meals.

With gout

Medicinal mixtures and cranberry juice will help fight this disease. To make fruit drink, you need:

• rinse with 150 g of cranberries;
• rub through a fine sieve to get a puree;
• strain the mixture;
• pour the cake with 2-3 glasses of water and put on fire;
• gradually, while stirring, add sugar to taste.

It can be consumed throughout the day. The Gout Healing Blend is made with garlic, honey and cranberries as in the previous recipe.

With liver diseases

If you mince lemon, cranberries and garlic and then mix with honey, you get an excellent liver cleanser. Two teaspoons are eaten in the morning and evening for a month.

Cranberry face masks

The benefits of cranberries for the face are also invaluable. It is actively used in cosmetology. There are recipes for home use.

Toning mask:

• grind 2 tbsp. l. mashed cranberries;
• mix with 1 tbsp. l. honey and 1 tbsp. l. olive oil;
• apply on clean skin and leave for 15 minutes;
• remove the mixture with massaging movements and wash with warm water.

It smoothes small wrinkles, makes the skin firm and refreshed.And to remove shine and grease from the skin, the following mask is prepared:

• chopped oatmeal is mixed with cranberry juice;
• 65 g of sugar and olive oil are added to the composition;
• stir and wipe your face.

To cleanse the skin, apply the pulp of the beak to the face. It is better to steam and wash the berries. Soak a piece of cloth in warm water and cover your face. It is important that the juice does not enter the eyes, otherwise there will be irritation. The mask lasts for 5 minutes. Washed off with warm water.

Acne mask:

• cranberry juice is mixed with honey;
• orange peel powder is added;
• everything is mixed up;
• a useful composition is applied to the face and lasts for 20 minutes.

To enhance the effect on the skin, it is recommended to include cranberries in the diet.

What can be made from cranberries

In addition to the drinks, which we will consider below, various dishes can be prepared from cranberries. They are useful as they provide the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals. Here are just a few examples of cranberry dishes:

• cranberries with oatmeal - a source of beneficial antioxidants;
• cranberry pies, muffins, cakes and other pastries;
• cranberry sauce - perfect with meat;
• cranberry salad is a source of vitamins, besides, it is low-calorie and useful for weight loss;
• cranberries in sugar - a simple and quick dessert.

There can be even more of these dishes, as the berry brings its own flavor to each of them.

Cranberry juice

The most popular berry drink. We examined his recipe above, but what are the benefits and harms of cranberry juice? It is a tonic drink rich in vitamins and minerals. It is actively recommended by urologists, gastroenterologists and gynecologists.

Morse has a strong diuretic effect, relieves inflammation, improves the effect of antibiotics, improves sleep, does not remove potassium from the body, stimulates appetite. Here is a list of only the main useful properties.

Cranberry jam

To make the jam, you have to boil the cranberries. Will it lose its properties? Yes, but not all. During cooking, the number of required elements decreases.

Therefore, it is better to use it fresh, in the form of juice or fruit drink.

Cranberry Kissel

If you cook it correctly, then all the beneficial properties of the berry will be preserved. And since jelly is a viscous jelly-like substance, it is very useful for the stomach. Kissel envelops the walls and improves the digestive tract.

The benefits of frozen and dried cranberries

When frozen, cranberries do not lose their properties, so this is the best way to store them. There is one caveat. It is recommended to defrost it at room temperature, then the beneficial properties will not be lost. Frozen cranberries:

• improves memory;
• has an antitumor effect;
• improves the work of the digestive tract, if the acidity is low;
• reduces fever, fights colds.

In dried form, the berry practically does not differ from fresh and is also very useful. It is able to activate mental activity, strengthen immunity, has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. An excellent antioxidant. The berry makes blood vessels more elastic, can improve blood flow and remove cholesterol. In dried form, it is used for sleep disorders, playing the role of sleeping pills.

It should be noted that there is also dried cranberries. It differs from dried cooking process. The benefits of dried cranberries are the same as those of fresh berries.

Useful properties of cranberry leaves

A decoction is made from the leaves for external use. These are lotions that help remove salt from the body. The broth is good for gargling and rinsing the nose.

Crane berry leaf tea is very popular. It is tasty, has a strong aroma and has a positive effect. The drink saves from headaches and heartburn. To make tea, pour boiling water over a spoonful of sheets.

Collection and storage of cranberries

Only fresh berries need to be picked.They have all the useful properties and will be stored for a long time. The color of the berries is dark red, intense. It is elastic to the touch, the fruits are round, without damage. You can buy dried cranberries at any store.

In the refrigerator, it is stored for no more than 20 days. Frozen as much as you like. Spread the cranberries on a flat leaf and place them in the freezer. After thawing, the berries will be soft and must be eaten immediately.

Cranberry harm and contraindications

Since the berry is acidic, it can cause stomach and liver problems. It should not be used for stomach and duodenal ulcers, gastritis and some liver diseases. Also, do not abuse the product, as this will cause organ failure.

You can not take the berry-crane with Warfarin (Coumadin). It enhances its effect on the body, causing increased bleeding. In addition, if you consume large quantities of berries, stones can form in the kidneys.

Conclusion

These are the benefits and harms of cranberries for the human body. It is not for nothing that it is so appreciated, doctors and nutritionists recommend including the berry in the diet.