Cranberries can be found growing on evergreen dwarf shrubs along tropical rainforest areas in Northern America. They are highly acidic and contain powerful antioxidant properties that are known to fight off infections, diseases, and even help prevent cancer. It's no wonder that the magical little berries have been dubbed as superfruits!
Cranberries can be prepared in a wide variety of ways. They can be spread as a tasty jam, eaten in candied form, processed into juice, and have long been a staple of Thanksgiving dinners. You can grab a handful of dried cranberries for the perfect healthy snack on the go. They can be added to breakfast cereals, yogurts, trail mixes, and can even give a vegetable salad a zesty, flavorful taste.
Now that you're a bit more familiar with the tiny red berries, it's time to delve a bit further into the many health benefits they possess!
1) Prevents Urinary Tract Infections
Did you know that a simple glass of cranberry juice can prevent urinary tract infections from occurring? The Proanthocyanidins found inside the cranberry juice stops bacteria from attaching to cells of the bladder walls. Cranberry juice also helps flush toxins out of the body through urination. The bacteria never get a chance to multiply on the bladder walls due to the high acidity levels of the juice. Make sure you buy the unsweetened brands at your local supermarket.
2) Boosts The Immune System
The powerful antioxidants and phytochemicals found within the berries protect cells from free radicals and help strengthen your immune system. Cranberry juice also increases HDL (good cholesterol) in the body, while reducing the LDL (bad cholesterol).
3) Fights Cancer
The proanthocyanidin found in cranberries helps stop cancer cells from spreading throughout the body. Cranberry juice contains phenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, which are used to combat micro tumors that can invade blood cells, The anti-carcinogenic properties of the juice also help to prevent breast cancer.
4) Contains Anti-Tumor Properties
Polyphenolic compounds in cranberries have been found to contain anti-tumor properties. The salicylic acid of the dark red juice reduces swelling and blood clots, which can eventually form into tumors. The strong polyphenol properties encourage T-cell production along the intestine and reproductive tracts.
5) Improves Cardiovascular Health
A cup of cranberry juice can limit the chances of cardiovascular disease developing. The supercharged antioxidants also prevent atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of the arteries due to the accumulation of fatty plaques and cholesterol. The flavonoids found in cranberry juice help promote healthy blood flow throughout the body.
6) Helps Reduce Inflammation
Cranberry juice is loaded with many anti-inflammatory properties, including vitamin C, which helps limit inflammation and thrombosis. These anti-inflammatory properties ensure that viruses never stick around your blood cells for long.
7) Soothes Heartburn and Peptic Ulcers
The acidity of cranberry juice can help kill the helicobacter pylori bacteria that causes peptic ulcers and heartburn problems, which we wrote about in-depth here. People suffering from gastric disorders have turned to cranberry juice as a soothing relief for treating acid reflux issues.
8) Fights Off Yeast Infection
Yeast infections occur when there is an overgrowth of a type of yeast called Candida in the human body. The infections are common among pregnant women, or people suffering from diabetes. Cranberry juice kills the bacteria that plagues the urinary tract and flushes out the yeast.
9) Prevents Tooth Decay
Brushing and flossing are two vital components for preventing tooth decay, but a few cranberries can also benefit your teeth. Cranberries inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, which causes plaque formation and leads to cavities. Cranberries can even freshen your breath! Avoid the sugary brands, and go for the organic variety instead.
10) Prevents Kidney Stones from Forming
Cranberry juice reduces the amount of magnesium, citrate, oxalate, and calcium found in urine. The polyphenolic properties help fight off kidney infections, urinary tract infections and prevent bacteria from attaching to the membranes of the kidneys. Consult with your physician beforehand if you suffer from any renal diseases.
11) A Natural Acne Treatment
Cranberry juice contains an acne-fighting compound called resveratrol, and antiseptic properties that help ensure nice clean skin. As an added bonus, you can even make a mask out of cranberry juice, and here's how to do it:
• Mix a little cranberry juice with orange peel powder and a teaspoon of honey.
• Mix well until a paste develops.
• Apply the cranberry juice mask all over your face, and allow it to sit for 20 minutes before washing it off.
12) Prevents Scurvy
Sailors used to carry cranberries aboard their vessels to prevent scurvy at sea. Vitamin C deficiency is the leading cause of scurvy, but you won't have to worry about that problem with cranberries. The tiny red berries are extremely high in vitamin C, which is used to produce collagen to ensure healthy regulation of tissues in your immune system.
13) Helps You Lose Weight
Start your morning off with a delicious glass of natural cranberry juice. Cranberry juice plays a significant role in promoting good cholesterol levels in the body. Cranberries are full of essential nutrients and vitamins, both critical factors in maintaining a healthy diet. The high acidity prevents those annoying hunger pangs as well.
14) Softens Up the Skin
Cranberry juice helps promote healthy collagen production thanks to the high levels of vitamin C. Collagen joins together with keratin to strengthen the skin. The function of collagen is to help blood vessels beneath the skin carry oxygen. In turn, the collagen then softens up the skin, giving it that bright radiant glow, and a youthful appearance.
15) Promotes Healthy Hair Growth
Vitamins A and C help promote the growth of strong healthy hair. The essential nutrients found in vitamin C help repair damaged hair follicles. Just make sure you rinse thoroughly after.
16) Contains Anti-Aging Properties
Cranberry juice can help slow down the aging process by destroying free radicals. Free radicals are responsible for causing the formation of wrinkles on the skin. The super-powerful antioxidants found in cranberry juice promote healthy skin cells and get rid of any unwanted blemishes and redness.
17) Fights Common Infections
Are you suffering from a terrible cold? A glass of nature's wonder berries can help with that! Cranberry juice helps soothe a sore throat and combats infections. Cranberry juice inhibits the bacterial structures of the Haemophilus influenza, which causes painful ear and respiratory infections in children as well.
18) Can Be Used as a Natural Skin Toner
Cranberries are very acidic, so they are a useful treatment for oily skin. The cranberry juice mask mentioned earlier can help give your skin a lighter tone if used on a regular basis. It's important to use natural cranberry juice when preparing the mask.
19) Prevents Psoriasis and Alopecia
Nutritional deficiencies can lead to such scalp diseases as hair loss or psoriasis. The vitamin C found in the cranberry juice is used to treat a variety of hair disorders, including alopecia or male pattern baldness. A cup of cranberry juice may be poured over the scalp to prevent dandruff and psoriasis from occurring.
20) A Natural Hair Color
A natural cranberry tonic can be made to highlight your hair. Actress Nicole Kidman says that she keeps her thick red hair radiant by pouring a cup of cranberry juice over her head after shampooing. The directions for the natural hair color are as follows:
• Mix a cup of natural cranberry juice with 1/4 cup of water.
• Use the cranberry shampoo after washing your hair.
• Let the cranberry shampoo sit between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the type of hair you have. 30 minutes for lighter strawberry hair and up to an hour for darker colors.
• Rinse your hair out thoroughly.
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