Cranberries Fruit - Health Benefits, Uses and Important Facts

Cranberries are related to blueberries, bilberries, and lingonberries. They are in the same family as heather.

The North American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is the most common type that is grown, but there are other types in nature. Cranberries are rarely eaten raw because they taste so sharp and sour.

In fact, they are usually eaten as juice, which is often sweetened and mixed with juices from other fruits. Sauces, dried cranberries, and powders and extracts used in supplements are also made from cranberries.

Nutritional profile of cranberries fruit:

Cranberries are nearly 90% water, however, the rest is mostly carbs and fiber. They also have manganese, copper, vitamins C, E, and K1, as well as other vitamins and minerals.

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

Calories: 46

Fat: 0.1 grams

Water: 87%

Sugar: 4 grams

Protein: 0.4 grams

Carbs: 12.2 grams

Fiber: 4.6 grams

Health benefits of cranberries fruit:

1. An Antioxidant Powerhouse

Did you know that cranberries have more disease-fighting antioxidants than almost any other fruit or vegetable? This includes strawberries, raspberries, spinach, broccoli, and cherries. In fact, there are 8,983 antioxidants in one cup of cranberries.

2. Keeps UTIs away

Cranberry might be best known for its ability to stop UTIs. Cranberries have a lot of proanthocyanidins, which help stop certain bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. This helps fight infections. A study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology says that cranberry helps prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). But cranberry juice is much less effective because it takes a lot of cranberry to stop bacteria from sticking together.

3. Gives your brain a boost

The compounds in cranberries that are antioxidants and anti-inflammatory may help improve memory and coordination. So, if you want to keep your mind sharp, you might want to eat dried cranberries every day.

4. Cranberries can prevent UTIs

If you're a woman who wants to avoid UTIs, science backs up the idea that you should eat cranberry products every day.

5. Cranberries boosts immunity

Cranberries are a good food to eat in the fall and winter to stay healthy because they have been shown to help the immune system in many ways.

They have also been shown to make cold and flu symptoms happen less often.

6. Prevents cancer

When eaten regularly, cranberries have been shown to help prevent and fight cancer.

Cranberries have been shown to protect against breast, colon, prostate, and lung cancers.

7. Cleanses liver

Cranberries are one of the best foods for cleaning out the liver. Cranberries fight bacteria and viruses, which helps the liver get rid of toxins.

Cranberries also help clean your liver, which is important because your blood passes through it every day.

FAQs on cranberries fruit: 

Ques: Is cranberry a superfood?

Ans: The word "superfood" comes from marketing, not science. However, they are a superfood that most people can safely add to their regular diet because they have a lot of nutrients.

Ques: Are dried cranberries good for your health?

Ans: Like most other dried fruits, cranberries are often made with sugar added. If a person is worried about how much sugar they eat, they should look at how much sugar is in the food or make their own dried fruit at home without adding sugar.