Health benefits of cranberry

14 health benefits of cranberry juice
Angela Bekiaris
Picture; iStock
Cranberry juice offers a myriad of health benefits because of its high nutritional value.
Organic Facts shares some fabulous benefits of drinking cranberry juice – so many, in fact, that you should already be off to the grocery store to buy some.

1. It treats urinary tract infections (UTI): Studies have shown that cranberry juice contains proanthocyanidins, which possess anti-clinging properties that prevent bacteria from binding itself to the cells on the walls of the bladder.
2. It has anti-tumour effects: This is thanks to the presence of polyphenolic compounds within the fruit.
3. It improves cardiovascular health: Cranberry juice can help lower the risk of heart-related ailments and assist in sustaining cardiovascular health, report experts.
4. It prevents tooth decay: Studies show that cranberry juice prevents tooth cavities thanks to the aforementioned proanthocyanidins, which inhibit harmful bacteria from clinging to the teeth.
5. Helps with respiratory infections: Organicfacts.net reveals that cranberry juice inhibits certain strains of the Haemophilus influenza, which is a common cause of ear and respiratory infections in children.
6. It prevents cancer: Again, the proanthocyanidins in the fruit inhibit growth of various cancer cells, say experts.
7. It strengthens bones and teeth: It’s a natural source of calcium, which reduces the risk of getting osteoporosis.
8. It can assist with colds: It’s known for helping fight against infections.
9. It’s good for obesity: Being rich in organic acids, it has an emulsifying effect on the fat deposits in our body.
10. It prevents kidney stones: This is thanks to the high amount of acid components in cranberry juice which prevents kidney stone formation.
11. It treats peptic ulcers: Studies have shown that a regular intake of cranberry juice can suppress the infection.
12. It prevents scurvy: Cranberries provide high levels of vitamin C, which is also vital for the body to make collagen, the main component behind the healthy functioning of tissues.
13. It treats lung inflammation: Organicfact.net reveals that a substance called non-dialysable material or NDM present in the cranberries prevents the influenza virus from sticking to the cells and hence preventing a flu infection.
14. It has anti-ageing benefits: According to scientists, cranberries play a vital role in providing protection against the problems that develop with age, such as memory loss and lack of co-ordination.
    
    IT HELPS CLEAR UTI
    Keep the cranberry sauce around well after the turkey has been gobbled up. Having cranberries apart of your regular diet helps prevent and clear UTIs.
    The effects of cranberry are amazing in combating and preventing urinary tract infections so if there’s a suspicion of a urinary tract infection then testing a sample of urine is the quickest way to get answers.
    (Newswire.net -- February 17, 2018) Cheyenne, Wyoming -- Typically, cranberry is a fruit reserved for the Thanksgiving season in most households across America, other than that flooded bogs with two dudes wearing water suits, talking about cranberry craisins is the next imagery that comes to mind. But cranberry is such a potent and culturally entrenched crop, in fact it’s one of the few plants indigenous to the American soil. The health benefits of cranberries are still being explored by scientists as the bounty of use it holds continues to impress the medical world.
    “Compounds in cranberry juice have the ability to change E. coli bacteria, a class of microorganisms responsible for a host of human illnesses (everything from kidney infections to gastroenteritis to tooth decay), in ways that render them unable to initiate an infection,” explains a press release issued by Worcester Polytechnic Institute. “The results of this new research by scientists at Worcester Polytechnic Institute suggest that the cranberry may provide an alternative to antibiotics, particularly for combating E. coli bacteria that have become resistant to conventional treatment.”
    As with most fruits, eating it fresh and unprocessed is best but due to an overpoweringly strong tart flavor when in its most natural state, cranberries are often found diluted or as a mix with other beneficial fruits.
    Juice cocktails that contain roughly 25% are the common selection for women in the know looking to keep urinary tract infections at bay, which is a wise move since they are 40% to 50% more likely to contract an UTI than their male counterparts.
    “Focusing on urinary tract infection (UTI) prevention became a major goal because of their recurrent nature, increasing antimicrobial resistance and medical costs,” explains The U.S. National Library of Medicine. “The current management of recurrent UTIs involves either repeated courses of antibiotics or low-dose, long-term antibiotic prophylaxis. Although effective, these treatments have side effects, such as fungal super-infection (oral or vaginal thrush) and gastrointestinal infections, notably Clostridium difficile.”
    Consuming cranberries regularly throughout one’s diet is sure to decrease the chances of a urinary tract infection developing, it’s not 100% foolproof but it certainly tips the odds in favor of sustaining better health.
    “The American cranberry ( Vaccinium macrocarpon) was historically used by North American Indians to treat UTIs,” reveals the National Institute of Health. “Cranberries are composed of water (88%), organic acids (including salicylate), fructose, vitamin C (high levels, i.e., 200 mg/kg of fresh berries), flavonoids, anthocyanidins, catechins and triterpinoids. Cranberry also contains anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins (PAC) which are tannins (stable polyphenols) found only in vaccinium berries and function as a natural plant defense system against microbes.”
    Some of the known ways cranberry stops bacteria from attaching themselves and multiplying within the body is by manipulating the bacteria’s shape, changing it from a rod to a sphere, modifying the bacteria’s cell membrane and interfering with the bacteria’s ability to get in direct contact with cells, thereby steaming an infection.
    The effects of cranberry are amazing in combating and preventing urinary tract infections so if there’s a suspicion of a urinary tract infection then testing a sample of urine is the quickest way to get answers.
    The HealthyWiser™ Urinary Tract Infection Test Strips are known to be amongst the most accurate DIY tools for easy at home results, so if need be, start stocking up on cranberry juice.