Surprising Health Benefits Of Cranberries

Cranberry is one of the berries that is packed with many health and nutritional benefits. We use cranberries as a healthy evening snack, grind them into juice and blend with alcoholic drinks or just use it as a sauce over desserts. However, cranberries do more than just adding flavour to the dish.

Cranberries are powerhouse of many protective phytonutrients and disease-preventing compounds that act as healthy antioxidants. Also a rich source of vitamin C, A, calcium, sodium, phosphorous, beta-carotene and fibre, cranberries turn out to be a healthy fruit. Even dried cranberries are healthy for the body. Check out some amazing health benefits of cranberries, the sweet and sour fruit.


Health benefits of cranberries:

1. The berries are effective in preventing breast, colon and prostrate cancer. Flavonoid quercetin and proanthocyanidins, are anti-cancer properties of cranberries that inhibits the growth of cancer cells in the body.
2. Cranberries are heart healthy fruits. Like other berries, cranberries lower bad cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Cranberries inhibit LDL (bad cholesterol) oxidation and formation of blood clots. If consumed regularly, cranberry can lower high blood pressure and prevents heart diseases.
3. One of the health benefits of cranberries is, it cures UTI (Urinary Tract Infections) among women. Cranberry juice inhibits the bacteria from entering the urinary tract and kills it.
4. Cranberries also kill bacteria H. pylori and prevents it from sticking on the stomach walls. Bacteria H. pylori causes peptic stomach ulcers.
5. Chew some fresh cranberries to prevent plague, cavity and mouth odour. The chemicals present in cranberries prevents the bacteria from sticking in the teeth.
6. Another health benefit of cranberries is that it protects the eyes from diseases and disorders like cataracts, muscular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
7. Most of the dieters have cranberry juice to shed weight. This is one well known health benefit of the berries. Cranberries are fat burning fruits that help lose weight easily. Do not add sugar in your cranberry juice. Artificial sweeteners can increase blood sugar levels and body weight. 
8. Cranberries are known as a natural treatment for kidney stones. It contains quinic acid which prevents the calcium and few phosphate chemicals from biding together. If these two chemicals bind, it forms kidney stones. 
9. Cranberry juice is also believed to be really healthy and nutritious. The berry juice cures cold and sore throat problems. Do not use cold water or add ice. Chilled juice is bad for cold and sore throat.
10. Calcium in cranberries makes it healthy for the bones and teeth.