By: Ivana Dragica |
Healthiest food in the world: cranberry |
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Cranberry, Lat Vaccinium macrocarpon, is a bushy plant with astringent red fruits.
Originally from North America, where the natives have long been used as food, medicine and in religious purposes.
Because of its properties, it is deservedly ranked among the healthiest plants in the world.
Content and healing properties of cranberry
Cranberry is rich in fiber, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, magnesium and other micronutrients.
100 g of fresh cranberries contains only 15 calories while the energy value of 100 g of dried cranberries is 60 calories.
Cranberry concentrate is commonly used for treating infections of the urinary bladder caused by Escherichia coli.
Cranberries can also be used for:
- bacterial and fungal infections
- ulcers
- teeth and gum diseases
- weakened immunity
- diabetes
- eye diseases
- prevention of cardiovascular diseases
- prevention of breast, stomach and colon cancer
Use cranberry against urinary infections
The population of North America for centuries have used cranberries for treating urinary tract diseases.
Modern research has confirmed that cranberry helps in preventing and treating urinary tract infections.
Proanthocyanidins is an ingredient responsible for preventing the adhesion of Escherichia coli to the bladder wall and its further propagation. Just two cups of unsweetened cranberry juice daily is sufficient for prevention.
Cranberry leaf tea is also used for treating urinary tract problems. This tea also helps against rheumatism, gout and kidney stones.
It is important to know that in the treatment of inflammation of the bladder, you only need to use alkaline or acidic products. Cranberry fruits have an acid base while its leaves, and other leaves such as those in nettles and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, have alkaline base. Therefore, never mix them.
Cranberries - a natural antibiotic and antioxidant
Thanks to hipuric acid, cranberry has strong anti-bacterial activity; therefore it is useful for the treatment and prevention of infections. Also, cranberry strengthens the immunity.
Cranberry has an effect on Helicobacter pylori, which is useful for the treatment of ulcers. Due to its anti-microbial properties, cranberry helps against periodontal gum disease.
During studies, water washes containing cranberry significantly reduces the occurrence of cavities.
Cranberry contains phenol antioxidant that prevents heart disease, premature aging, and several types of cancer.
Cranberry is also rich in tannins, which are important for heart health. It also contains large amounts of flavonoids and polyphenols, which serve as a natural defense against atherosclerosis because they inhibit bad cholesterol and improve circulation.
Cranberry slows aging and the problems it brings, such as loss of coordination and memory.
If you have diabetes, make sure that you not drink sweetened cranberry juice. Do not to use products containing cranberry if you are taking warfarin.
How to cultivate and use cranberries
Cranberry loves acid soil, humus, and an acidic peat should be added prior to planting.
Plants are planted at 30 cm spacing in the row. Trench for each sapling should be 20-25 cm deep. Areas between rows should be mowed and the soil should be fertilized using pine needles, acidic peat or sawdust.
During the growth, cranberry releases sprouts and in this way it continues to spread and reproduce.
Cranberry blossoms twice, in 5-6 month and 7-8 month and matures in 7th in 9th month when the main harvest season is.
Cranberry sapling can be purchased in most agricultural pharmacies, over the internet or in nurseries.
There are countless ways in which you can use cranberries in the cuisine. You can use it for making tea, juice, dessert, sauce or jam. It is suitable for freezing and drying.
If you want to enjoy the healing benefits of cranberries, do not buy industrial juices because they contain minimal amounts of fruit. Purchase more natural products, get informed and read the declaration.
Dried cranberries, natural cranberry juice and other products based on this fruit can be purchased in herbal pharmacies and health food stores.
Recipe - festive cranberry sauce
For the end of this article, we give you one recipe for a festive cranberry sauce:
Ingredients
- 200 g of dried or frozen cranberries
- 40 g of brown sugar
- 200 ml of orange juice
- 300 ml of water
- half an orange
- 40 grams of fresh ginger
Preparation
Mix cranberries, sugar, orange juice and water in a bowl. Grate the peel of one orange half and cut into several slices, peel the ginger and add the mixture to cranberries.
Put the lid on, place the pot over a light fire and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
When the sauce is done, remove the ginger and orange chunks and place the sauce in a serving bowl.
Bon appetit!
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