How are cranberries beneficial for a woman’s body?

Composition and calorie content of cranberries

Cranberries are a source of phytonutrients. There are no fats in the berry, so it is a low-calorie product. The calorie content of cranberries is only 46 kcal, and the product has a low glycemic index. When eaten, cranberries have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects on the human body.

Calories 46 Kcal

• Fat:
  0.1 g
• Proteins:
  0.4 g
• Carbohydrates:
  12.2 g
• Water:
  87.1 g
• Ash:
  0.2 g
• Fiber:
  4.6 g

Other important connections:

• Phytosterols

  — 5.4 mg (9.8% of RDA)

  Read also:  Bracken fern. To eat or not to eat?
• Purines

  — 6 mg (5% of RDA)

• Oxalic acid

  — 6 mg (1.5% of RDA)

Full chemical composition ➤

In addition to vitamins and minerals, cranberries contain:

• Antioxidants.

  There are so many of them in the berry that it leaves behind such “superfoods” as blueberries and strawberries. Cranberries are richest in proanthocyanidins.

• Electrolytes.

  The balance of potassium and sodium in the berry is optimal.

• Sahara.

  Cranberries are a source of glucose, sucrose, fructose and high molecular weight carbohydrates, which are represented by dietary fiber and pectin. These substances are perfectly absorbed, help maintain metabolic processes and charge the body with energy.

• Organic acids:

  tartaric, oxalic, chlorogenic, quinic, ursolic, benzoic, succinic, oleic, keto-butyric, ketoglutaric. All of them take part in metabolic processes and are responsible for the exchange of proteins and fats in the body. Some acids help speed up metabolism, while others strengthen cell walls. Eating cranberries can stop inflammatory processes in the body and reduce blood sugar levels. Most organic acids have bactericidal properties. Cranberries are well stored, this is possible thanks to the benzoic acid that is part of it.

• Flavonoids:

  betaine and quercetin. These substances help strengthen the vascular wall, normalize blood viscosity, and have antioxidant properties.

• Other substances.

  Cranberries contain catechins, leukoanthocyanidins, and glycosidic compounds. They also have antioxidant properties, help protect the liver and blood vessels from negative factors, and normalize metabolic processes in the body. The berries contain tannins. They have an astringent, enveloping and anti-inflammatory effect.

Cranberries are a source of valuable antioxidants, the most useful of which are:

• Anthocyanins.

  These antioxidants are destructive to free radicals. In medicine, they are used to combat obesity, to lower blood cholesterol levels, as well as to treat and prevent breast cancer.

• Quercetin.

  It has pronounced anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce the intensity of the allergic reaction. In medicine, it is used to reduce joint pain, as well as to strengthen the walls of blood vessels.

• Benzoic acid.

  It has pronounced antioxidant properties and can destroy bacteria and viruses. With the help of this component contained in cranberries, you can cope with urinary tract infections and get rid of acne.

• Epicatechins.

  These phytonutrients are found in green tea and red wine. They help prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease and reduce the risks of cardiovascular pathologies.

  Read also:  Medicinal properties and contraindications of ferula

Beneficial properties of cranberries

Cranberries help support immunity. Eating it allows you to charge the body with energy and increase overall performance.

Benefits of berries for the human body:

• Prevention of cancer.
• Strengthening blood vessels.
• Stimulates brain function, increases mental activity.
• Normalization of the heart muscle.
• Improves digestion, stimulates appetite.
• Getting rid of viral infections, alleviating the symptoms of the disease.
• Acceleration of tissue regeneration. A person will heal faster from abrasions, burns, cuts and other injuries.

To appreciate the benefits of cranberries, you need to take a closer look at all the effects it has on the body.

Urinary tract infections

Cranberry juice is the best natural antibiotic that helps treat various urinary tract infections. It contains proanthocyanidins, which slow down the pathological activity of microbes and prevent them from increasing in number. Bacteria lose their ability to attach to the walls of the bladder and uterus. It is enough to drink a glass of juice a day to prevent the development of cystitis.

You won't be able to fight urinary tract infections with store-bought cranberry juice concentrate. This drink will help you get rid of thirst, but nothing more. This information is provided by Dr. Timoney Boone, Ph.D., associate dean of the Texas A&M Medical Science Center in Houston.

Maintaining Cardiovascular Health

Cranberries are a source of flavonoids, which help the body fight atherosclerosis and help strengthen the vascular wall.

It has been proven that blood vessels are damaged when cholesterol is deposited in them. Its level in the body increases when eating foods rich in unhealthy fats. Atherosclerosis is the main cause of heart attack and stroke.

Cranberries lower blood cholesterol levels. In addition, the berries have a sedative effect and are useful for people who experience mental overload.

Help your kidneys and bladder

Cranberries contain citric acid, so eating them helps prevent the formation of kidney stones. In general, berries improve the health of the urinary system.

Preventing dental problems

Scientists from the University of Paris conducted experiments that found that cranberries are good for teeth and gums. People who consume this berry are less likely to suffer from periodontitis, gingivitis, stomatitis and other oral diseases.

Cranberry helps prevent cancer

Cancer is a fatal disease. A tumor can develop in the body of any person. To minimize the risks of this terrible disease, you need to include cranberries in your diet. Studies have found that berries help fight 17 types of cancer. This is possible due to the content of polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties. They destroy young cancer cells. There is evidence that cranberries help improve human immunity.

Cranberries help fight common infections

Cranberries should be eaten in case of infectious diseases.

It helps improve overall well-being, as it has the following properties:

• Decreased body temperature.
• Reducing the intensity of inflammation.
• Destruction of viral flora.
• Strengthening the immune system.
• Relieving irritation from the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.

To enhance the healing effect of eating cranberries, you need to drink enough liquid. You can prepare fruit drinks based on these healthy berries.

Cranberry gives you flawless and youthful skin

Cranberries contain antioxidants that fight toxins and radicals. Their presence in the body leads to early aging and aging of the skin.

Hydroxylysine and hydroxyproline contained in cranberries are beneficial for the skin. These substances stimulate the production of collagen, the skin’s main assistant in the fight against aging. In general, epidermal cells begin to renew themselves faster.

Cranberry improves immunity

Some researchers claim that cranberry extract helps strengthen the immune system and also reduce the risk of contracting colds. Proanthocyanidins contained in cranberries stimulate the immune system.

It has long been proven that the condition of the intestines directly affects the state of human immunity. Therefore, it is important to maintain the health of the digestive tract as a whole to avoid reducing the body's defenses.

Cranberries help improve intestinal microflora. Eating berries helps destroy harmful microbes and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.

Cranberry is a universal berry, as it combines 3 substances: risoatannol, pterostilbene, resveratrol. By interacting with each other, they are able to resist various diseases.

Improved digestion

Cranberries are good for the digestive tract, as they stimulate the production of pancreatic and stomach juices. The berries can be consumed by people with duodenal ulcers and colitis.

Cranberries are recommended to be included in the menu for patients suffering from hemorrhoids, as they have an anti-inflammatory effect. People who regularly consume cranberries are less likely to suffer from bloating and flatulence.

Contraindications and side effects

Irrational and excessive consumption of cranberries is fraught with side effects, especially for people with contraindications.

Details are in the table:

Use of cranberries in cooking

Cranberries are used in cooking to make desserts, they are added to baked goods, and they are used to prepare sauces for meat and other dishes. Cranberries have found use in the alcohol industry. It is added to vodka to give it a pleasant aroma, and a tincture is made from it.

Cranberry cookies

. To prepare it you will need dried cranberries. The cookies turn out incredibly crispy and tasty. The recipe is for 40 pieces.

Ingredients:

• Dried cranberries – 100 g.
• Oatmeal – 100 g.
• Butter – 200 g.
• Sugar – 75 g,
• Milk – 6 tbsp. l.
• Wheat flour – 300 g.
• Egg yolks – 2 pcs.
• A pinch of salt.

How to cook:

• Mix flour, oatmeal, sugar, milk, yolks, salt, butter and cranberries. Knead the dough until it becomes homogeneous and smooth. Divide it into 2 parts and put it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• The finished dough is cut into thin slices and placed on a baking sheet covered with parchment.
• Bake cookies at 180 degrees for 10 minutes.

Cranberry sauce for meat

. To make the sauce tasty, you need to use fresh cranberries that are dark red in color. Although you can also use frozen berries. Unripe cranberries are not suitable as they will make the sauce bitter. The finished dressing can be stored in the refrigerator in a glass container for 14 days.

Ingredients:

• Cranberries – 150 g.
• Sugar – 2 tbsp. l.
• Drinking water – 3 tbsp. l.
• A pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Cloves – 2 pcs.
• Lemon – 1 pc.
• Orange – 1 pc.

Preparation:

• Place the cranberries in a thick-bottomed pan, add sugar and add water. Bring the berries to a boil and boil for 5 minutes.
• The orange and lemon are washed and dried, the zest is peeled off and the juice is squeezed out. To prepare the recipe you will need 2 teaspoons of lemon and 3 tablespoons of orange juice.
• Add nutmeg, citrus zest, cloves, cinnamon to the cranberry broth and boil for another 5 minutes.
• Americans, when preparing such a sauce, be sure to add a pinch of Jamaican allspice to it.
• Add orange and lemon juice to the sauce and cook for another 5 minutes.
• Remove the dish from the heat, pour into a glass container and cool.
• To thicken the sauce, dilute starch in orange juice and pour it into the finished dish after it has cooled.
• The sauce can be used with pieces of berries, or it can be passed through a sieve.

Dessert Cranberry Orange Bread

. The bread turns out very tasty; it can be used instead of a cake during tea drinking. This confectionery product is liked not only by children, but also by adults. It can be eaten at breakfast, smeared with butter or soft cheese.

Ingredients:

• Brown sugar - 1 cup,
• Flour – 2 cups.
• Butter – 4 tbsp. l.
• Cranberries – 1 cup.
• Baking powder – 6 g.
• Chicken egg – 1 pc.
• Soda – 0.5 tsp.
• Salt – a pinch.
• Milk – 3/4 cup.
• Corn starch – 1 tsp.

Preparation:

• Mix all dry ingredients in a suitable container.
• In another container combine milk, egg, warm butter. Beat the resulting mixture with a whisk.
• Knead the dough, add cranberries sprinkled with starch.
• Grease the baking pan with butter or line it with parchment and fill it with dough. The top of the bread is sprinkled with brown sugar.
• Bake it in the oven for 75 minutes at 180°C.

The use of cranberries in cosmetology

Cranberry extract and juice are used in cosmetology. In diluted form, it is used to combat acne and ulcers, to prevent scarring and to reduce the intensity of allergic rashes. It helps to improve hair health.

Effects that can be obtained by using cranberries:

• The skin will become lighter.
• The oval of the face will tighten.
• Skin elasticity will increase.
• Dermal cells are filled with vitamins.
• Oily sheen, areas of hyperkeratosis and inflammation will disappear.

Recipe for making a cranberry mask against wrinkles

. Cranberries are used to make masks that rejuvenate the skin.

Ingredients:

• Frozen berries – 8 g.
• Cream – 8 g.
• Retinol – 2 ml.

Preparation:

• The berries are crushed using a mortar.
• The cream is mixed with retinol and mint cranberries.
• Apply the mask to the skin, excluding the area around the lips.
• After 15 minutes, remove the mask and wipe your face with jojoba oil.

Strengthening nails

. Cranberry helps restore even severely damaged nail plates. Berry juice or fresh berries are rubbed into them for 20 minutes. The procedure should be carried out 2-3 times a week.

Frozen cranberry scrub.

Using a scrub made from frozen berries helps improve your complexion and get rid of wrinkles. The skin is tightened, the pores are narrowed. Cranberry reduces stretch marks and makes the dermis lighter.

Ingredients:

• Frozen berries – 100 g.
• Coconut or olive oil – 1 tsp.
• Cane sugar – 2 tbsp. l.

Preparation:

• Cranberries are passed through a meat grinder.
• Mix the berry mass with olive oil and add cane sugar to the mask.
• The resulting paste is applied to the face, neck and décolleté. You can use a mask for body care.

It is best to carry out the procedure in the evening. This will allow the skin to recover and absorb vitamins better. After the scrub is washed off with water, the skin is dried and a rich cream is applied to it.

Decoction for external use

For skin diseases, dermatitis, rashes, and non-healing wounds, it is recommended to use compresses using cranberry decoction. The procedures have no contraindications, but it is better to first make sure that there is no irritation if the skin is hypersensitive.

To test, drop the prepared liquid on your wrist, rub into the dermal tissue, wait an hour and a half. If there are no alarming signs (rashes, itching, burning) then begin treatment.

Preparing the product will not cause any particular difficulties - just pour boiling water (200 ml) over the berries (50 grams), mashed with a fork, bring to a boil, immediately remove, and leave. After filtering, soak a soft cloth with warm liquid and place a compress on the problem area. Leave for half an hour.

Article for you:

The best herbal decoctions for facial care according to traditional medicine recipes

Repeat the procedures daily. The duration of the course is one and a half weeks. Allowed to be combined with medications prescribed by a specialist.

The only warning is that you should not use a herbal decoction or pharmaceutical medicine at the same time - observe intervals of 2-3 hours.

Use of cranberries for medicinal purposes

Drinking cranberry juice and fresh berries helps prevent the development of cancer of the prostate, mammary glands, and female reproductive system. If you regularly rinse your mouth with diluted cranberry juice, you can whiten tooth enamel and prevent the development of caries.

Under pressure.

To reduce blood pressure levels, it is useful to drink a cranberry-based drink.

Ingredients:

• Fresh cranberries – 300 g.
• Sugar – 100 g.
• Water – 250 ml.

How to cook:

• Cranberries are crushed using a blender and poured into a glass container.
• Add sugar and water to the berries.
• Stirring the resulting mixture, bring it to a boil.
• Strain the drink through a sieve.
• The syrup is diluted with boiling water and drunk instead of tea. For a glass of hot water, 2-3 teaspoons of syrup is enough.

For diabetes

. Cranberries help lower blood sugar levels, so fruit drinks with berries are useful for people with diabetes.

Ingredients:

• Cranberries – 300 g.
• Clean water – 1.5 l.
• Fructose – 75 g.

How to cook:

• The berries are crushed with a wooden mortar.
• The released juice is squeezed out.
• The cake is poured with water and boiled.
• Infuse it for 5 minutes, then filter.
• Fructose is added to the juice and mixed thoroughly.
• Take one glass of juice 3 times a day before meals.

For joint disease

. Cranberries help relieve joint pain, reduce inflammation, and make you feel better. To do this, it is recommended to use an ointment based on these berries.

Ingredients:

• Fresh cranberries – 100 g.
• Vaseline – 50 g.
• Lanolin – 50 g.

How to cook:

• The cranberries are ground.
• Add lanolin and petroleum jelly to the berry mass.
• The finished ointment is stored in the refrigerator.
• It is applied to sore joints, wrapped in film and insulated with a scarf.

Cold treatment

For severe cough, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the throat, chest pain, and fever, it is recommended to use a decoction at home made from a combination of cranberry leaves and fruits.

If you are not allergic to bee products, add honey to the healing drink - the combination of useful components will speed up recovery and increase immunity. Step by step recipe:

1. Finely chop the washed leaves (25 g), combine with grated fruits (30 g).
2. Pour boiled water (300 ml) over the plant mass.
3. Simmer for a quarter of an hour (use a water bath).
4. Wrap the container in a towel and wait half an hour.
5. After straining, add honey (20 g) and stir.

Article for you:

Oak decoction: recipes, indications for use, how to take for treatment

When you have a cold, drink in small portions - 50-80 ml throughout the day. The duration of treatment is a week; if the intensity of the cough and discomfort on the mucous membranes does not disappear, stop drinking the tasty drink, consult a doctor, and undergo a course of drug therapy.

Storing cranberries

In order for cranberries to be stored better, you need to follow the following recommendations:

• You need to pick berries from mid-October until the first snow. You can use a special hand harvester, but to preserve the integrity of the berries, it is best to collect them by hand.
• Fresh cranberries can be stored for 10 days in a cool place or 14 days in the refrigerator.
• Fresh berries are shiny, elastic, and have a bright red color. If the cranberries have shriveled, turned brown, or faded, then they have been stored for a long time. You need to pay attention to this when purchasing.
• If you wash the collected cranberries in cool water, put them in jars and pour cooled boiling water over them, they will not lose their quality throughout the year. You need to keep the jars in the refrigerator.
• Cranberries can not only be frozen, but also dried. It can be stored in the freezer for about a year, and dried for 3 years.