Cranberry juice ... The benefits and harms for the human body, the chemical composition and taste of the product, unique folk recipes and the peculiarities of the preparation of the drink - all this and much more will be learned by readers from this article.
About the magic berry
Cranberries grow mainly in the Northern Hemisphere and in marshy areas. The berry differs from others in that it contains an unimaginable amount of nutrients and vitamins. The healing properties of cranberries were known even in ancient Russia. So, instead of the usual tea or coffee in the morning, our ancestors drank a glass of the “zoo”, which included this delicacy.
Cranberry juice is a great cold and anti-inflammatory agent. Decoctions and infusions of berries have antiseptic and firming properties. In addition, fruit drink is an excellent remedy for thirst on a hot summer day.
Cranberries are a perennial shrub with thin stems creeping on the ground. Popularly, the plant has several names. This is the beloved and revered "crane" or "sour healer."
Cranberry juice: benefits and harms
The composition of this drink is still being improved - at present, scientists are carefully studying the beneficial properties and characteristics of this berry, and each time their efforts are crowned with success. So, it is worth taking a closer look at the chemical composition of the berry:
- Trace elements: potassium, copper, chromium, iron, tin, magnesium, etc.
- A huge number of vitamins, among which there are a large number of elements of group B and E.
- A significant proportion of vitamin C (about 20%).
- Fructose, sucrose and glucose.
- Pectin and organic acids.
Cranberries make jam and jams. The berries are harvested for the winter, and they are also stored in bulk in the freezer. When the cold comes, they make delicious cranberry juice. The benefits and harms of this drink are known to more than one generation.
Useful properties of cranberries
The beneficial properties of this berry were known even in ancient Russia. So, in the XVI century decoctions and infusions of cranberries were used as anti-inflammatory drugs. Berry juice was also used to lubricate wounds and cuts. Currently, most scientists and doctors agree that cranberries enhance the action of the most common antibiotics. Evergreen cranberry leaves are effectively used in folk medicine for the preparation of herbal preparations, which help to effectively remove kidney stones. Cranberry juice, the benefits and harms of which are still being studied, not only quenches thirst on a summer day, but also helps to bring down the heat, and is also used to normalize the activity of the gastrointestinal tract.
Contraindications
In some cases, cranberries and the products that make up it may not be beneficial or even harmful. For example, the berry is contraindicated in those who have acute intolerance to any substance or auxiliary element that is part of cranberries. It's about allergies. If the slightest signs of intolerance appear - redness, itching, or rash - you should immediately stop taking the product.
With special care, cranberry products are consumed during breastfeeding, you should also carefully monitor the reaction of a young child under the age of three years. In no case should you give berries and cranberry products to those who suffer from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, ulcers) during the period of exacerbation. By the way, experts in the field of medicine strongly recommend not to take cranberry juice in its pure form on an empty stomach. It is better to dilute it with water - this will not provoke excessive secretion of gastric juice. But, in general, cranberry products are best consumed as a dessert - after the main meal.
Dentists are also not very good-natured about this berry. In their opinion, the amino acids contained in cranberries contribute to the early destruction of tooth enamel.
Use of goodies
How to use cranberries? Surely the first thing that comes to mind is cranberry juice, the benefits and harms of which are now known throughout the world. In order to prepare this drink, just pour fresh berries with boiling water and add sugar. This method of preparation will allow you to save the greatest number of useful properties and enjoy the unsurpassed taste of cranberry juice.
However, there is a traditional way of making this drink. To do this, grind 0.5 kg of fresh cranberry berries (you can do this with a blender), squeeze the juice and pour the remaining berries with one liter of boiled water, put on fire, bring to a boil and hold in this state for another 10 minutes. Strain the resulting broth through cheesecloth, add the remaining juice, sugar to taste and leave until completely cooled.
The benefits of cranberries for the body
The benefits and harms of cranberries have not been thoroughly studied. Nevertheless, there are several obvious factors that have been proven empirically. So, this berry has a high content of tannin - a substance that effectively fights inflammatory processes in the body. Cranberries excellently treat diseases of the genitourinary system. Cranberry juice is very effective in these cases. The benefits and harms to the kidneys are determined individually. In addition, the composition of the berries contains a maximum amount of magnesium and vitamin C. This makes cranberries useful as an adjuvant for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Regular consumption of cranberry products significantly reduces blood clots.
Cranberry juice is distinguished by a large number of useful properties. The benefits and harms of pregnancy are currently not fully understood. One thing is clear - products from this berry should be consumed with extreme caution in case of possible manifestations of an allergic reaction.
Cranberries for children
As already mentioned, cranberries have a lot of useful properties and qualities. Young children under the age of three should be given extreme caution to try cranberry products. It is advisable to treat babies with jam or jam after the main meal. On a hot summer day, you can offer the child cranberry juice. The benefits and harms for children are determined individually. So, an allergy to any component that is part of cranberries suggests that eating it is extremely undesirable.
However, everyone knows that cranberry drink is an excellent antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent. And this means that with a cold, cranberries are an indispensable helper. This berry is famous for its beneficial properties. That is why it is worth thinking about in which cases it will become an effective medicine or adjuvant.