Cranberry bitter with sourness has multiple beneficial properties. For good reason, its fruits are used in most recipes for the treatment of many diseases. This berry is a real box of vitamins and nutrients.
Material Content:
Cranberries: composition, calories
100 grams of fresh cranberry fruit contains 26 calories.
This is a relatively small indicator (the apple that is so revered by diet lovers contains 35 calories per 100 g of product).
Also 100 g of red berries include:
- carbohydrates - 3.7 g;
- proteins - 0.5 g;
- fats 0.2 g;
- dietary fiber - 3.3 g;
- acids (quinic, benzoic, citric, malic, etc.);
- water;
- ash;
- glucose;
- fructose.
Additionally, it contains micro and macro elements:
- vitamins of group B, C, E, P, K;
- beta carotene;
- biotin;
- potassium, silicon, calcium;
- boron, sodium, phosphorus;
- vanadium, manganese;
- cobalt, rubidium, molybdenum.
Useful properties for the human body
The healing properties of cranberries are extremely wide and varied:
- Antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect. It is especially good to use cranberries in the complex treatment of viral diseases, since it enhances the effect of antibiotics.
- Strengthening the immune system. Having a positive effect on immunity, cranberries are relevant not only in the treatment of diseases caused by viral infections, but also in the prevention of the latter. Using cranberries every day, a person significantly reduces the possibility of colds.
- Lowering cholesterol in the blood. Cranberry consumption is recommended for people with vascular pathologies, pressure surges, heart diseases.
- Strengthening the nervous system. This effect is achieved due to the high content of vitamin B and potassium in cranberries.
- Improving the digestive tract. Berries eliminate heartburn, increase appetite, improve digestion.
- Solving the problems of the genitourinary system. Berry is often used as an adjunct in the fight against cystitis and many other diseases of this type.
- Prevention of dental diseases. Since ancient times, cranberries have been used to treat a dangerous dental disease - scurvy. The berry has not lost its relevance to this day - it is considered an excellent tool for the prevention of caries and gum disease.
- Prevents the development of cancer cells. It is proved that the systematic consumption of cranberries reduces the risk of developing cancer of the breast, prostate, lung, large intestine.
Useful properties for women
Women who care about their health and beauty should definitely pay attention to this bitter berry.
Read also: Pa bruise in the kidneys - symptoms in women
The systematic use of cranberries has a positive effect on the female body:
- Improves the health of hair and nails. Frequent inclusion of the product in the diet eliminates split ends of the hair, makes nails strong and strong, without burrs.
- Helps to lose weight. Berry components contribute to the breakdown of fats, therefore, cranberries can be included in the diet menu of losing weight.
It is interesting! Cranberry juice is served in some restaurants as a complement to greasy dishes. Such a drink will help precipitate heavy food, not allowing it to cause stomach discomfort.
- Struggles with the problems of the genitourinary system. Cystitis and urolithiasis are frequent companions of women. Fresh cranberry berries will help eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of these pathologies.
What are the benefits for men?
Bright red berry is also useful for the stronger sex. In particular, cranberries can help combat the unpleasant symptoms of prostatitis. The healing effect is achieved due to the presence of special enzymes in the plant. They prevent the development of infections of the bladder, thereby preventing the development of diseases of the genitourinary system.
If there are problems with male strength, experts recommend drinking 300 ml of fresh cranberry juice once a day.
Useful properties during pregnancy
Expectant mothers are very sensitive to their unborn baby: they take tests, drink vitamins, and follow a diet. In this regard, cranberries can easily replace vitamin complexes, because it contains many useful substances.
The main advantages of using cranberries during pregnancy:
- The berry saturates the body of the mother and fetus with microelements and vitamins.
- Increases immunity, reduces the risk of contracting infectious diseases.
- Relieves edema of the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy, normalizes blood pressure.
Tip. It is not worth future mother to introduce fresh berries into the diet. But all kinds of cranberry fruit drinks and jelly will be very useful in this period. Cranberries with honey mixed in the composition of the fruit drink will become a mild diuretic.
In some cases, cranberries can act as an allergen. For this reason, the expectant mother should discuss the admissibility of taking this berry during the period of bearing the baby with a doctor.
Attention! It is strictly forbidden to use cranberries for pregnant women suffering from allergic manifestations, as well as gastritis, stomach ulcers or enterocolitis.
Benefits for children
Cranberry berry can rightfully be considered the best friend of children.
Its benefits to the child's body are as follows:
- Relieves heat, enhances perspiration.
- Strengthens the children's body, saturates it with vitamins and nutrients.
- It is considered a powerful expectorant and antiseptic.
- It removes toxic substances and radionuclides from the body.
- Helps with dysbiosis.
- Prevents the development of caries and periodontal disease.
- It copes with the symptoms of dermatitis, eczema and other skin diseases.
Tip. It is not recommended to give cranberries to babies under 1 year old. For children from 1 to 3 years old, the berry can be consumed in the fight against colds. In addition, it can be used as raw material for the preparation of delicious mousses and fruit drinks for children.
Dried, dried, frozen cranberries - which is healthier?
You can enter in the diet not only fresh berries.
No less tasty and useful product will be the fruits in this processing:
- Dried cranberries. An excellent option for storing sour berries is drying in the sun. They can be evenly spread out on a flat surface or strung on a thread like beads. Cranberries must be dried in a sunny, ventilated area. Another, faster way to dry is to use an oven.
- The cranberries are frozen. Before storing berries in this way, they must be thoroughly washed, dried and packaged in portions. Cranberries should be thawed only 1 time.
- Sun-dried berries. It differs from the drying option in that sugar is added to the berry. Pre fruits are boiled in sugar syrup, for this they take 500 g of berries, 0.5 glass of water and a glass of sugar. Next, cranberries are thrown into a colander, and then distributed in a thin layer on a baking sheet covered with parchment. The fruits are sent to a warm (up to 65 degrees) oven. After 2-3 hours, the paper is changed to dry and drying is continued for another 4-5 hours.
Note. Dried and or dried cranberries lose some of the nutrients, but can be stored for a longer time. Benzoic acid acts as a natural preservative, and allow the fruits to maintain their beneficial properties for up to 3 years.
The healing properties of cranberries: recipes
The healing properties of cranberries have long been used by our ancestors to treat many diseases. Actually such use to this day. With the help of red berries, various negative symptoms of various pathologies can be eliminated.
With a cold, sore throat
Cranberry juice is a classic remedy for fighting colds. From the fruits you need to squeeze the juice, pour the cake with water. Bring to a boil, boil for 5 minutes, mix with squeezed juice. Add some sugar or honey if desired.
Take the finished drink several times a day for 1/2 cup.
To strengthen immunity
Cranberries do an excellent job with existing colds. But with its help they can also be avoided. To strengthen the immune system, you can make a tasty and healthy tea supplement. To do this, take carefully washed and scalded lemon with boiling water and 0.5 kg of cranberries. All together, pass through a meat grinder. Pour the resulting mixture into 0.5 cups of honey. Take several times a day for 2 tbsp. l at every tea party.
With hypertension
Cranberry juice is an excellent remedy for high blood pressure. Natural juice from these fruits improves vascular function and is ideal for hypertensive patients.
To prepare a fruit drink with an antihypertensive effect, you need 400 g of fresh cranberries. With a fork, the berries are mashed and poured with a glass of warm water. The mixture needs to be insisted a little, then decant and squeeze the berries. If desired, honey or sugar can be added.
With diabetes
Cranberries in the presence of diabetes are not only possible, but also recommended.Experts have long agreed that this berry has a positive effect on the condition of patients. Using 200-250 g of freshly squeezed juice daily, you can not only stabilize sugar levels, but also clean vessels from harmful plaque cholesterol.
For joint diseases
The red berry has long been successfully used to relieve pain in the presence of joint problems. Cranberries removes toxins and toxins from them, facilitates general well-being.
Cranberry ointment is useful for relieving pain in joints. For its preparation you will need 100 g of fresh berries. They are crushed and rubbed through a sieve, followed by 50 g of petroleum jelly and lanolin. To avoid fermentation, the mass is sent for storage in the refrigerator. The ointment is smeared with the obtained ointment, in addition to warming, wrapping places with cellophane and a scarf.
With cystitis
In the treatment of diseases of the genitourinary system, it is permissible to take both fresh berries and fruit drinks with honey. The fruits can be grated with sugar and consumed every day for 3-4 tablespoons.
By the way, cranberries and cranberries are the best "friends" of women's health. In the treatment of cystitis and other pathologies of the genitourinary system, cranberry-cowberry fruit drinks are also acceptable.
The use of cranberries
This berry carries not only exceptional health benefits, but also taste pleasure.
Cooking use
Healthy and tasty cranberry fruits are widely used in cooking. Using berries, they prepare delicious fruit drinks, pies, muffins, as well as various sauces and dressings for meat dishes. The classic option is the well-known cranberries in sugar.
Cranberries in sugar recipe
- To get 2 cups of candied fruit you will need:
- 200 g of fresh cranberries;
- 2 tbsp. l water;
- 1 egg white
- 125 g of sugar (icing sugar).
In a separate container, protein and water are mixed. The mass is poured into cranberries so that the berry is covered with a liquid mixture.
Pour granulated sugar or powder into a dish, roll cranberries in it. Each berry should be covered with a sweet layer. Fruits leave to dry for 2 hours at room temperature. The finished dish can be used as an independent delicacy or decoration of dishes.
Application in cosmetology
- Cranberry juice is used as a component for a mask or a warm compress for facial skin. The product perfectly smooths wrinkles, tones and tightens the skin.
- Rubbing cranberry juice daily in problem areas will help eliminate age spots, acne and irritation.
- Cranberry juice can be rubbed into the hair roots and distributed over their entire length. The result will be the elimination of dandruff and the improvement of the condition of curls.
- Berry juice is an excellent “resuscitation” for damaged and weakened nails. After such therapy, they will become stronger and healthier. It is enough to rub a natural remedy into the nail plates 3 times a week.
Harvesting for the winter
In addition to freezing, drying and drying, cranberries can be stored fresh. This will require preliminary harvesting of fruits and compliance with a number of storage conditions.
For harvesting cranberries, you need to choose a special ceramic, enameled or glass container. You should not choose dishes from aluminum - in it the berries will oxidize and lose their properties. In order for fresh fruits to be stored for longer, they need to be sorted out, removing crumpled or spoiled berries, remove leaves. Selected berries are washed and sent to the refrigerator for storage. This method, however, is not suitable if long-term storage of berries is expected.
Who is contraindicated in cranberries?
Refrain from eating berries is recommended in such cases:
- gastrointestinal tract problems (ulcers, gastritis, etc.);
- problems with teeth (enamel);
- individual intolerance to the components of the berry.
Uncontrolled absorption of berries can spoil the tooth enamel. After eating each serving, it is recommended to rinse your mouth with water.
Oxalic acid in the composition of the berries can provoke the deposition of kidney stones. For this reason, you need to use cranberries with caution, carefully choosing the volumes and dosage.
Important! Do not eat cranberry fruit in the morning, on an empty stomach. It is most useful to use it as a complement to dishes or as an independent dessert.
Introducing cranberries into your diet, a person thereby improves their health. This useful berry is able to eliminate many problems of the body. An important condition is not to forget about moderation and the choice of optimal serving sizes.
