Cranberries are often used in traditional medicine recipes. Its composition includes many useful substances. Experts recommend including it in the diet all the time. What is cranberry good for? Further in the article we will discuss the positive and negative properties of the berry.
The chemical composition of cranberries
Berry refers to low-calorie foods. However, the nutritional value of fresh and dry cranberries is different. This causes drying, in which moisture is lost.
In fresh cranberries - 25 kcal, and in dried berries - 300. This is worth considering for people who want to lose weight.
What is cranberry good for? It contains many vitamins, such as A, E, K, and also there is an increased content of ascorbic acid. By the amount of vitamin C, the berry can compete with citrus. A distinctive feature of cranberries are pectins. In addition, the berries contain sugars, anthocyanins, catechins and betaine.
Cranberries contain organic acids: citric, malic, oxalic, chlorogenic, succinic, and others.
The berry is also rich in minerals, including potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, magnesium, copper, and iron. In addition, cranberries contain a rare vitamin PP.
Useful properties of cranberries
Due to its unique composition, cranberries have many positive properties. It is because of this that the berry occupies one of the leading places. What is cranberry useful for and what does it treat? It contributes to:
- Improve appetite. The berry increases the production of gastric juice, so it is often used for diseases of the digestive tract.
- Beneficial effect on the genitourinary system. Cranberries contribute to the inhibition of pathogenic bacteria, therefore, it is indicated for kidney pathology.
- The berry is able to stop inflammatory processes. It prevents the development of neoplasms, especially in the intestine, chest and prostate.
- Normalizes blood cholesterol. Berries have a positive effect on blood vessels and the heart, relieve headaches and prevent the development of atherosclerosis.
- Cranberries refresh and invigorate, quench thirst and have antipyretic properties. It is used for respiratory viral diseases.
- Berries kill pathogenic microflora and have anthelmintic properties.
Cranberry juice helps with urinary tract infections, gastritis, vascular and heart diseases. This healing drink can disinfect wounds and heal burns.
Pluses of large-fruited cranberries
The berry is striking in its size (from 1.8-2.2 cm in diameter). Its external forms are different: from round to pear-shaped.
The beneficial properties of large-fruited cranberries are diverse. It is widely used for diseases of the digestive system - for constipation, to improve appetite. With colds, the berry can quench thirst and make up the body’s need for vitamin C.
Cranberries help reduce the signs of genitourinary diseases. Eliminates problems with the heart and blood vessels.
The beneficial properties of large-fruited garden cranberries have found their application as an external remedy. With her juice make lotions for purulent wounds, burns and lichen.
Eating cranberries regularly strengthens the gums and teeth.
Cranberry Healing Recipes
In the cold season and in spring, when the body is especially in need of vitamins, a berry will come to the rescue.
Frozen and dried cranberries are poured into a thermos, insisted and drunk with honey. It cannot be added to hot water, because the beekeeping product loses all its beneficial properties.
How are cranberries healthy? It is especially effective for colds, flu and infectious diseases. After all, cranberries are rich in vitamin C. It has a pathogenic effect and prevents dehydration of the body. This is especially valuable in the event of heat.
For therapy, the fruits are used as follows:
- Pour crushed cranberries with hot water and insist. Drink in large quantities during the day.
- To prepare cranberry juice, the berries are crushed and discarded on cheesecloth. The result is juice. Pour cake with hot water, boil and cool. Mix with juice. To improve the taste, add sugar or honey.
Pure juice is also an excellent cold remedy.
What is cranberry good for? Fruit juice made from berries helps with sore throat therapy. Cranberries have the ability to enhance the action of antibacterial drugs.
With high blood pressure, the berry is taken as tea. Cranberry juice also helps lower blood pressure with the addition of red beet juice.
When cystitis occurs, cranberries are able to rid the bladder of pathogenic microflora, which helps to stop inflammation.
Cranberries during pregnancy
The berry, due to its unique composition, has many positive properties. It is recommended for use in many conditions.
What is the use of cranberries for pregnant women? It is well known that during this period a woman’s body is affected by colds. And taking antibiotics can cause irreparable harm to her and the fetus.
The genitourinary system is especially affected during pregnancy. Cranberries with its bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties will have their indispensable benefits.
The use of berries during pregnancy will prevent the development of varicose veins of the lower extremities, due to the positive effect on the vessels. This quality of cranberries improves blood circulation in the placenta and helps the fetus develop normally.
The inclusion of 100 g of cranberries in the diet daily can prevent malformations in the child, toxicosis, constipation and edema. Normalization of metabolic processes, assistance in the assimilation of minerals is another argument for the regular inclusion of berries in the diet.
Despite the useful properties of cranberries, there are also contraindications to its use. Berries can be harmful in case of enterocolitis and allergies to them.
Dried and dried cranberries
Dried fruits are a storehouse of beneficial minerals and vitamins. They are used as a prophylaxis of many diseases and perfectly strengthen the immune system.
What is the use of dried cranberries? Berry is a natural antioxidant. She fights well with the early aging of the body.
The main properties of dried berries include:
- increased physical activity;
- positive impact on mental performance;
- It has a tonic effect;
- normalizes blood coagulation;
- stimulate the work of the digestive tract;
- normalizes the level of acidity of the stomach.
To multiply the effect of dried berries, it is mixed with honey. It has a positive effect on appearance. Therefore, such dried fruits must be eaten regularly. Small wrinkles disappear, red spots and acne disappear.
Dried berry strengthens nails, improves their appearance and prevents the development of fungal diseases.
Sun-dried berry keeps most of its positive properties fresh. To prepare this product, cranberries are boiled in sugar syrup, and then dried for a long time in the oven. This can be done at home. Useful properties of dried cranberries are as follows:
- It is used for colds.
- Used for diseases of the kidneys and bladder.
- Favorably affects the hormonal background of a person.
- It is useful in the treatment of dermatitis and weeping eczema.
- Strengthens blood vessels.
- Normalizes bowel function.
Compote and fruit drinks are made from dried cranberries, which differ in a special taste. Sometimes it is added to baking.
Why you need to eat a berry
Cranberries should be included in the daily menu for many reasons. She can get rid of the health problems of men, women and children.
What is cranberry good for? Her ability to neutralize the action of pathogenic microflora and eliminate inflammation will be of great help to men in the prevention and treatment of prostatitis. Flavonoids present in berries will increase physical strength and stamina.
Cranberries help women to solve two main problems: normalizes weight and restores beauty. Regular consumption of berries slows down the aging process. The condition of hair, skin and general health improves. Due to its properties, cranberries contribute to the breakdown of body fat.
Eating berries in childhood will prevent the development of colds and infectious diseases. It perfectly strengthens the immune system. During the period of the disease, the berry reduces cough and relieves fever.
Cranberry juice is allowed to be given to a child starting from 1 year. In this case, the baby should not be allergic to the product.
Cranberries in cosmetology
Due to its unique properties, the berry has a positive effect on the skin.
How useful is cranberry in the struggle for youth? With the constant use of berries, the skin becomes elastic and taut. Cranberries relieve peeling and dryness, removes unhealthy shine and redness.
Cranberry lotion for oily skin is prepared from a grated lemon. It is poured with 250 ml of vodka. Insist for a week. Then filtered, adding 200 ml of cranberry juice and 100 ml of water, 1 tbsp. l glycerin. The components are thoroughly mixed. Lotion is used to wipe the skin before bedtime.
Cranberries can be used as a face mask. The crushed fruits are applied to cleansed skin. After 15 minutes, rinse with water. Repeat 2-3 times a week.
Moisten freshly made juice with cheesecloth and apply on face. Soak for 15 minutes. Rinse with boiled water and apply a moisturizer.
Cranberry juice
The benefit of the drink is the rich vitamin composition of the berry. Morse contains many minerals (manganese, copper, cobalt, molybdenum).
Cranberry juice is subjected to heat treatment and, in comparison with juice, has a more pleasant taste. It is used for:
- diseases of the genitourinary system;
- weakening of the immune system;
- liver diseases and stomach ulcers;
- heart and vascular diseases;
- diseases of the oral cavity.
Cranberry fruit juice has a pleasant taste, it is useful to use for health for both children and adults.
Berry juice
With the help of cranberry juice, hypertension, diseases of the genitourinary system, gout and other diseases are treated.
In some cases, it is used for external use. Due to the special properties of the juice, it is used in the treatment of ulcers, burns and other lesions of the skin. After surgery, patients lubricate them with sutures, which speeds up the healing process.
Cranberry juice is effective for hypertension.
It’s quite difficult for some patients to drink because it contains a lot of acids. Because of this, there is a burning sensation in the mouth, and a snap on the teeth.
Cranberries in cooking
Berry is used not only in medicine and cosmetology, but also in cooking. Due to the sour taste of cranberries, it is added to desserts, cocktails, salads and main dishes (fish, meat).
Cranberries acts as one of the components of jam, marmalade, jelly, fruit drinks and compotes. Berries can be used in fresh, frozen, dried and soaked form. She creates unique compositions with citrus fruits, apples, nuts and vegetables.
One of the most common dishes is sauerkraut with cranberries. The berry adds a special acidity to the product and saturates it with vitamin C.
Cranberries are added to oatmeal, which contributes to the enrichment of its taste.
Contraindications
Like any potent remedy, cranberries can cause the body not only benefits, but also harm. In some cases, it causes allergic reactions. After all, many people suffer from intolerance to ascorbic acid.
Despite the useful properties of cranberries, contraindications during pregnancy and breastfeeding are allergies.
Berry should be used with caution with gout and urolithiasis. During an exacerbation of a stomach ulcer, cranberries should not be included in the diet.
To avoid negative effects, even in the stage of remission of gastrointestinal diseases, berries should be eaten only after eating. Do not drink berry juice undiluted due to the negative effect on the stomach. Therefore, it is best to eat cranberry juice. Sour berries can negatively affect the condition of the teeth. It is best to rinse your mouth after using them.
All of these contraindications are conditional and require special care while taking cranberries. Before using berries, it is best to consult a doctor.
Conclusion
Cranberries - a berry that has beneficial properties for the treatment of various diseases. It is widely used in cosmetology, culinary and dietetic nutrition. Eat berry carefully so as not to harm the body.