Cranberry, a fruit native to North America, packs a number of benefits and antioxidant phytonutrients. This berry is known for its tasty flavor and treatment of urinary tract infections. No matter you want to excite your taste buds or eat something great for your health and skin, cranberries should be on your list.
Cranberries belong to the subgenus Oxycoccus of the genus Vaccinium. They grow on low-growing shrubs or vines up to 2 meters long and 5 to 20cm in height. They are initially green when they are in their initial stage but when they ripe, they turn to red.
In this article, we will take you through all the major benefits of cranberries for your skin and health along with other important information regarding them so whenever you eat them, you know what a gem you are actually eating. Let’s get started with their brief history first.
History
Cranberries for the first time appeared to be used by the people in North America for preparing energy bar-like food known as “pemmican” that was consumed by fur traders for its healthy and nutritious properties. Different ancient tribes gave various names to cranberry including “ibimi”, which meant sour/bitter. The word “cranberry” was given to this fruit by the European colonizers of North America because the flowers of their plant were shaped like the head and neck of sandhill crane that led to the term “crane-berry”, which was later shortened to “cranberry”.
For the first time in history, cranberries were commercially cultivated in the United States in 1816 when captain Henry Hall (a revolutionary war veteran) came across a cranberry shrub on Cape Cod. He then became the first person to cultivate cranberries successfully.
Nutrition Facts
Half cup (55 grams) of cranberries contains:
- 25 calories
- 0.25g of protein
- 0.07g of fat
- 6.6g of carbohydrates
- 2.35g of sugar
- 2g of fiber
- 5mg of calcium
- 0.12g of iron
- 3.5g of magnesium
- 44mg of potassium
- 6mg of phosphorous
- 1mg of sodium
- 0.05mg of Zinc
- 7.7mg of vitamin C
- 35 IU of vitamin A
- 0.72mg of vitamin E
- 2.75mcg of vitamin K
Uses of Cranberries
- Cranberries due to their tartness can be used as a replacement for vinegar or lemon in a fresh green salad. Add your favorite greens in a bowl, toss a little olive oil and top them over with a handful of raw cranberries.
- For a more versatile flavor and balancing cranberries’ tartness, mix them with a number of other fruits such as pineapples, apples, oranges or pears. You can then further top that fruit salad with maple syrup or honey for enhanced flavor.
- Make yourself a healthy morning smoothie by placing 1/3 cup of cranberries, 1 large peeled orange, ½ cup of frozen raspberries or strawberries, and 1 peeled frozen banana in a blender. Blend the ingredients together until smooth to enjoy a refreshing morning start.
- If you are a cereal lover, you can get some extra nutrition by sprinkling a handful of dried unsweetened cranberries over a bowl of oatmeal, barley, or any cold cereal.
- Uses for beauty and health abound including sc
Benefits for health
Boosts Heart Health
Cranberries due to their heart-healthy properties can prevent triggering of two enzymes that cause different heart diseases. Consumption of cranberries also showed the blocking of a pro-inflammatory molecule that is also known as TNF-alpha. Have a cup of cranberries every day to increase blood flow and experience a positive dilation of blood vessels.
Treats Urinary Tract Infections
Cranberries are well-known for treating urinary tract infections with the help antioxidants proanthocyanidins present in them that prevent certain bacteria from attaching to the walls of the urinary tract.
In the same way, the consumption of cranberries on a consistent basis can also help prevent various infections. There are some supplements available (mentioned below in the products section) to help cure these infections.
Improves Dental Health
Bacteria are the number one cause of a number of diseases and killing them means preventing yourself from those diseases. The same properties or phytonutrients present in cranberries that help prevent urinary tract infection can improve your dental health by preventing the bacteria from sticking to your gums or teeth. Consumption of cranberries can also reduce the inflammation around the gums.
The risk of periodontal disease can also be cured with the help of cranberries if you use them regularly.
Prevent Kidney and Bladder Problems
Stones can grow in your kidneys due to several reasons, which can be prevented with the help of citric acid and other important nutrients available in cranberries. If you have bladder complications, then the same properties that prevent kidney problems can clear off bladder complications.
Protect from the Common Cold and Viral Flu Virus
Not just cranberries, but their juice is also known for treating a lot of problems. If you are having a common cold or viral flu virus, you can drink cranberry juice to take advantage of vitamin C and other antioxidant properties and protect yourself from these diseases.
Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Cranberries can prevent platelet build-up and reduce blood pressure with the help of polyphenols and anti-inflammatory properties that may also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease or CVD.
Help Lose Weight
Fiber-rich foods enable you to stay full for a longer period of time and hence making you less hungry. Cranberries pack 16 percent of the recommended daily amount of fiber in them. Fiber helps your digestive tract to keep things moving, which prevents your body from bloating.
If you are working hard to get some extra fat off your body then adding cranberries to your daily diet will double the benefits.
Remember to follow a healthy diet and do not just depend on berries or any single fruit to lose weight.
Help Reduce Lung Inflammation
Eating cranberries or drinking its juice can reduce inflammation and strengthen your immune system so it can withstand and combat against different kind of infections and viruses. Cranberries contain an enzyme known as nondialyzable material or NDM that help keep the viruses away from your healthy cells.
Benefits for Skin
Cranberries do not just provide a number of benefits to your health but they also work wonders on your skin because of the high concentration of antioxidants, vitamins B3 and B5, etc. present in them. These properties of cranberries lead to healthy skin that is perfectly moisturized and has a good complexion.
Here are some benefits of cranberries for the skin:
Anti-aging
No one gets immortality but you can keep your skin look younger by eating something natural that is filled with a lot of antioxidants, such as cranberries. Eating cranberries on a regular basis can quickly flush out all the toxins and free radicals from your body to keep your skin naturally moisturized and hydrated, which in return help in preventing wrinkles and fine lines.
Flawless Skin
As we already know that cranberries help in slowing down the aging process, they also make your skin look flawless. No matter you opt for raw cranberries or go for its juice, you will get copious amounts of benefits in both the cases. Cranberry juice is rich in vitamin C and has components like hydroxylysine, hydroxyproline, and amino acids that are essential for our body to generate collagen.
Cranberry juice or cranberry itself is the best option to consume if you live in cold areas where your skin is prone to harsh winds that can lead to a number of skin problems.
If you want something great for your skin that is made with healthy ingredients including cranberry then you can use MyChelle Fruit Enzyme Scrub. It is a blend of cranberry juice and other healthy ingredients that makes this scrub a great solution for clarifying and protecting your skin.
Eliminate Oil From The Skin
Oily skin doesn’t just look unpleasant but is also prone to acne. If you are looking for a long-term solution then you must give a try to cranberry or its juice. Due to its antiseptic and antioxidant properties, it works great in treating acne.
You can also make a homemade face mask to get rid of those ugly-looking pimples. All you need is powdered orange peel, a teaspoon of honey, and cranberry juice. Mix all the ingredients together nicely and then apply the mask on your face, put it on for at least 20 minutes and then wash it off. Do it on a regular basis to see a positive difference in your skin.
Side Effects of Cranberries
- People who use blood-thinning medications should not consume cranberries in an abundant amount as they can cause problems
- Cranberries enhance the anti-clotting effect, which can lead to increased bleeding in case of cuts or injury
- Before increasing the intake of cranberries, people with a history of kidney stones should concern their healthcare provider
Conclusion
Cranberries providing a wide range of benefits for health and skin. Explore all of the great possibilities of this amazing berry to see how you can incorporate the cranberry into your health and beauty regiment.