Do you know the Health benefits of Cranberries?

Do you know the Health benefits of Cranberries? Cranberries are helpful for Urinary Tract Health, Inflammation, Cancer, Immunity and Stomach Health.

Cranberries are a member of Ericaceae family and similar to blueberries, bilberries, and lingonberries. Due to their very sour taste, cranberries are hardly eaten raw, but are consumed as sauce, juice or as dry fruit.

Health Benefits of cranberries:

1. Maintains Urinary Tract Health: Cranberries are widely known for helping to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and have been used by women for many years. Clinical trials have shown positive benefits for daily single servings of cranberry juice or dried encapsulated powder in preventing overall incidence of UTI and significantly reducing recurrent infections. The proanthocyanidins (PACs) in cranberries help prevent bacteria from sticking in the urinary tract and causing infection.

2. Decreases Inflammation: Inflammation is at the root of many common diseases in developed nations, including heart disease, cancer, arthritis and diabetes. Consuming anti-inflammatory foods, such as cranberry which contains potent polyphenolic compounds, has been shown to reduce certain key risk factors for cardiovascular disease, cancer and cognitive decline.

3. It may help to reduce Cancer Cell growth: Research has shown that the phytochemicals in cranberries can prevent rapid tumour growth and induce programmed cancer cell death in lab studies, utilizing cultures of breast, colon, lung and esophageal cancer cells. More studies are needed in humans to prove a benefit against existing cancers.

4. Enhances Immune Function: Consuming cranberry products may help to give the immune system a boost. A study suggests that PAC compounds in cranberry can combine with proteins and modulate aspects of innate and acquired immune responses in macrophages, which are large white blood cells that aid in overcoming infection by secreting signals that help to activate other cell types to fight against infections.

5. It maintains Stomach Health: Cranberries can help to keep the gut bacterial microbiome balanced by promoting beneficial bacteria and decreasing the harmful ones. This balance is important to help the body extract beneficial compounds from foods as well as prevent stomach upset. The PACs in cranberry have also been shown to suppress Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that cause stomach ulcers.

The main nutrients in 1 cup (100 grams) of raw, unsweetened cranberries are: