Cranberries are classified from the heather family, such as: blueberries, red and others. Cranberries are not eaten in their raw form, due to their sour and pungent taste, and they are usually consumed in the form of juice.
Nutritional value of cranberries
Fresh cranberries consist of 90% of water, and the rest is distributed between carbohydrates, dietary fiber and other nutrients, as 100 grams of raw cranberries contain:
350 calories of energy.
87% of water.
0 grams of protein.
87.5 grams of carbohydrates.
80 grams of sugar.
5 grams of dietary fiber.
0 grams of fat.
It should be noted that the sugar contained in cranberries is of the simple type, while the dietary fiber is insoluble, that is, it passes through the intestines without digestion, and cranberries contain many different vitamins and minerals, the most important of which are
vitamin C.
manganese;
Vitamin E.
Vitamin K.
copper;
In addition to all of the above, cranberries are characterized by the components and plant compounds it contains, such as: Quercetin and Myricetin.
Cranberry benefits
Because cranberries contain all of the above, this means that they have many health benefits, which include the following:
1. Protection from urinary tract infections
Cranberry contains a special substance that prevents bacteria from sticking to the wall of the urinary tract and bladder, thus reducing the risk of infections in the area, and some cranberry products lose this substance during the preparation process, so it may not be effective in this case.
Cranberries help protect you from getting a UTI, but they don't play a big role in treating it.
2. Protect the heart and circulatory system
Many different scientific studies revealed that the polyphenols in cranberries protect heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease, as the polyphenols prevent platelet build-up in the blood vessels and reduce high blood pressure, thus protecting the heart and the circulatory system as a whole.
3. Reduces the risk of cancer
Cranberries contain many compounds, which help reduce the risk of cancer. In addition, some compounds in cranberries may slow the growth of cancer cells in the body, the most important of which are prostate, liver and breast cancer.
4. Maintain oral health
One of the benefits of cranberry is that it works to maintain oral and dental health, by preventing the association of bacteria in the teeth, and cranberry also contributes to protecting the gums and promoting their health.
5. Fight against helicobacter bacteria
This type of bacteria infects the stomach, which increases the risk of stomach ulcers and stomach cancer as well, but one of the benefits of cranberries is that it works to fight this type of bacteria, which enhances the health of the stomach and protects it from cancer and ulcers.
Cranberry dangers and important tips
In general, eating cranberries and its products is safe for everyone, but excessive amounts can cause some harm, which is summarized in:
stomach irritation;
diarrhea.
Increased risk of kidney stones.
On the other hand, if you are taking one of the blood-thinning medications such as: Warfarin, you should eat cranberries in moderation after consulting your doctor.
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