Since ancient times, man uses the gifts of nature. Nature gives us all the best and wholesome that it has - fresh fruits, vegetables and berries, which, in turn, are the most valuable products containing vitamins, minerals, healthy amino acids.
Today we’ll talk about cranberries - berries, which are a valuable food and medicinal product. Cranberries are especially widespread in North America - there is not a single Thanksgiving there. This "festive" berry has a bright color and a very sour taste, in addition, it found a large number of vitamins, which are strong antioxidants.
Cranberries, the useful properties of which are quite diverse, contain 4-5% sugars (the main of which are fructose and glucose), as well as a fairly extensive list of organic acids, including citric, malic and benzoic. It is benzoic acid, which is a natural preservative, that cranberries owe to the fact that it can be stored for a long time without any processing, only filled with boiled water. In addition, the list of “cranberries: beneficial properties” should include a large number of micro and macro elements, tannins and pectin.
Like other acidic gifts of nature, cranberries are much more effective on the body than vitamin complexes in tablets. This happens because the vitamins, phytonutrients and other nutrients contained in cranberries are not lost, as happens during processing. In addition, in berries, vegetables and fruits, including cranberries, nutrients are balanced just perfectly, so they have much more digestibility.
If we talk about the positive properties of the berry from a medical point of view, then it is worth mentioning that cranberry treatment is relevant in cases where it is necessary to lower the temperature, also the berry is used as an anti-zingotic and cooling agent, a means to enhance the action of sulfonamides and antibiotics.
Cranberries, whose beneficial properties do not end with the above, improve digestion and appetite, enhance the production of pancreatic and gastric juice, and provide indispensable assistance in the treatment of gastritis, characterized by low acidity of the gastric juice, with inflammation of the pancreas. The positive properties also include the bactericidal and diuretic effects that the berries have, the benefit of pyelonephritis. Cranberries, seasoned with honey, is widely used in the treatment of rheumatism, respiratory diseases, tonsillitis.
The heat-treated berry also retains its beneficial properties. So, for example, syrups and fruit drinks from it are used as an anti-febrile remedy for inflammatory processes, avitomanoses, to quench thirst and reduce temperature. Cranberry juice and cranberry jam must be consumed in the winter-spring period, since they (like most products from this berry) prevent vitamin deficiencies and increase immunity.
Fresh cranberries can be purchased in some regions throughout most of the year. Cranberries grown using organic methods are of the greatest value. Useful properties in such a berry are more pronounced than in any other.
Consuming cranberries fresh without any additives is not a pleasant experience, as it has a rather strong sour taste. However, you can add the berry to desserts, make mousses and sauces from it. Cranberries with sugar are also delicious. The beneficial properties of this berry from additives or processing are practically not lost.
Cranberries are deservedly considered one of the most valuable gifts of nature. Helping with many diseases, this berry becomes almost indispensable in traditional medicine, as well as in the production of various medicines. A fresh product is always healthier than a processed one. Therefore, it is better not to buy cranberry extracts or extracts, but to consume fresh cranberries is a real storehouse of nutrients.