CRANBERRIES
Cranberries
Description.
A glossy, scarlet red, very tart berry, the cranberry belongs to the same genus as the blueberry, Vaccinium. (Both berries also belong to the food family called Ericaceae, also known as the heath or heather family.) Like blueberries, cranberries can still be found growing as wild shrubs in northern Europe, northern Asia, and North America. When cultivated, however, cranberries are grown on low trailing vines atop great sandy bogs.
Cranberries have also been called "bounceberries," because ripe ones bounce, and "craneberries," a poetic allusion to the fact that their pale pink blossoms look a bit like the heads of the cranes that frequent cranberry bogs. The variety cultivated commercially in the northern United States and southern Canada, the American cranberry, produces a larger berry than either the Southern cranberry, a wild species that is native to the mountains of the eastern United States, or the European variety.
Cranberries have long been valued for their ability to help prevent and treat urinary tract infections. Now, recent studies suggest that this native American berry may also promote gastrointestinal and oral health, lower LDL and raise HDL (good) cholesterol, aid in recovery from stroke, and even help prevent cancer.
Fresh cranberries, which contain the highest levels of beneficial nutrients, are at their peak from October through December, just in time to add their festive hue, tart tangy flavor and numerous health protective effects to your holiday meals. When cranberries' short fresh season is past, rely on unsweetened cranberry juice made from whole berries and dried or frozen cranberries to help make every day throughout the year a holiday from disease.
Description.
A glossy, scarlet red, very tart berry, the cranberry belongs to the same genus as the blueberry, Vaccinium. (Both berries also belong to the food family called Ericaceae, also known as the heath or heather family.) Like blueberries, cranberries can still be found growing as wild shrubs in northern Europe, northern Asia, and North America. When cultivated, however, cranberries are grown on low trailing vines atop great sandy bogs.
Cranberries have also been called "bounceberries," because ripe ones bounce, and "craneberries," a poetic allusion to the fact that their pale pink blossoms look a bit like the heads of the cranes that frequent cranberry bogs. The variety cultivated commercially in the northern United States and southern Canada, the American cranberry, produces a larger berry than either the Southern cranberry, a wild species that is native to the mountains of the eastern United States, or the European variety.
Cranberries have long been valued for their ability to help prevent and treat urinary tract infections. Now, recent studies suggest that this native American berry may also promote gastrointestinal and oral health, lower LDL and raise HDL (good) cholesterol, aid in recovery from stroke, and even help prevent cancer.
Fresh cranberries, which contain the highest levels of beneficial nutrients, are at their peak from October through December, just in time to add their festive hue, tart tangy flavor and numerous health protective effects to your holiday meals. When cranberries' short fresh season is past, rely on unsweetened cranberry juice made from whole berries and dried or frozen cranberries to help make every day throughout the year a holiday from disease.
What's New and Beneficial About Cranberries?
For many years, researchers believed that the ability of cranberries and
cranberry juice to help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) was partly
related to the strong acidity of the cranberries. research has shown that
it's not the acidity of the cranberries, but the unusual nature of their
proanthocyanidins (PACs) that is related to prevention of UTIs. The special
structure of these PACs (involving A-type linkages between their components)
acts as a barrier to bacteria that might otherwise latch on to the urinary tract
lining. In many studies, the UTI-preventing benefits of cranberries are somewhat
modest and limited to women who have recurrent UTIs. But this whole area of
investigation has opened the door to an understanding of other possible
cranberry benefits. For example, stomach ulcers are often related to overgrowth
and over-linking of one particular type of stomach bacteria (Helicobacter
pylori) to the stomach lining. In much the same way as cranberries may help
prevent bacterial attachment to the lining of the urinary tract, they may also
help prevent attachment of bacteria to the stomach lining. There is already some
preliminary evidence that cranberry may help protect us from stomach ulcer in
this way.
Health Benefits
Many cranberries are water-harvested. Water-harvesting means that the
cranberries are grown in bogs and floated in water to allow for easy harvesting.However, recent research has shown that the anthocyanin content of cranberries (the phytonutrients that give the berries their amazing red color) is increased in direct proportion to the amount of natural sunlight striking the berryIf it can expose cranberries to greater amounts of natural sunlight, it can increase phytonutrient health benefits that involve the unique antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of anthocyanins.
Comparison with purified cranberry extracts consumed in either liquid or dried
supplement form—do a better job of protecting our cardiovascular system and our
liver.The discovery that cranberries prevent UTIs by blocking adhesion of bacteria to
the urinary tract lining is a discovery that has allowed research on cranberry
to expand out in other important directions. The risk of urate/kidney stones in susceptible individuals can be decreased by
intake of cranberry.
Years than research on cranberry and cancer, even though the majority of studies
in this area have involved lab studies on human cancer cells or animal
experiments. On a virtual year-by-year basis, scientists continue to identify
new mechanisms that establish cranberries as anti-cancer agents. These
mechanisms are now known to include: blocked expression of MMPs (matrix
metalloproteinases); inhibition of ODC (ornithine decarboxylase enzymes);
stimulation of QRs (quinone reductase enzymes); inhibition of CYP2C9s (Phase I
detoxification enzymes); and triggering of apoptosis (programmed cell death) in
tumor cells. It's important to point out that this amazing list of anti-cancer
properties in cranberry is not sufficient to establish cranberry as a food to be
used in the treatment of cancer. However, it is a list that appears consistent
with other studies of cranberry and cancer showing dietary intake of this food
to help prevent cancer occurrence. These cancer-preventive benefits of cranberry
are especially likely in the case of breast, colon, lung, and prostrate cancer
Consumption.
Cranberries can be consumed in the following ways,
- Take advantage of cranberries' tartness by using them to replace vinegar or lemon when dressing your green salads. Toss the greens with a little olive oil and then add color and zest with a handful of raw cranberries.
- To balance their extreme tartness, combine fresh cranberries with other fruits such as oranges, apples, pineapple or pears. If desired, add a little fruit juice, honey or maple syrup to chopped fresh cranberries.
- For an easy-to-make salad that will immediately become a holiday favorite, place 2 cups fresh berries in your blender along with 1/2 cup of pineapple chunks, a quartered skinned orange, a sweet apple (such as one of the Delicious variety) and a handful or two of walnuts or pecans. Blend till well mixed but still chunky. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Dice 3-4 stalks of celery, add to the cranberry mixture and stir till just combined.
- Combine unsweetened cranberry in equal parts with your favorite fruit juice and sparkling mineral water for a lightly sweetened, refreshing spritzer. For even more color appeal, garnish with a slice of lime.
- Add color and variety to your favorite recipes for rice pudding, quick breads or muffins by using dried cranberries instead of raisins.
- Sprinkle a handful of dried cranberries over a bowl of hot oatmeal, barley, or any cold cereal.
- Mix dried cranberries with lightly roasted and salted nuts for a delicious snack.
Cranberry is of importance to us all,male, female, young and old. Eat well and drink healthy.
Regards,
Katherine.
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