Cranberry and its health benefits

Overview

What is Cranberry?

Cranberry is an evergreen shrub growing up to 2 meters in height. It bears cranberry fruit larger than the plant leaves and is hard, round, and red-colored, with a sour or bitter taste. They grow as vines in freshwater wetlands, mainly in southern Canada and Northern America.

Facts of Cranberry

• The commonly grown species of Cranberry is the North American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)
• Cranberries are indigenous to North America and grow around 58000 acres of farmland across the Northern United States, Canada, and Chile.
• For centuries, Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) has been used as food and has also been used to treat medical conditions such as stomach problems, appetite loss, and skin problems.
• Cranberries are rarely consumed raw due to their sour, acidic taste
• Cranberries are mostly consumed as juice blended with other fruit beverages
• Cranberry juice has no fiber ¹Overview| Researched based study from Cranberryinstitute.org , ³Overview| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov .

Nutrition

Nutrition in Cranberry

Nutrients in 100gm (1 cup) of raw Cranberries

• Cranberries comprise 90% water; the rest, 10%, contain fiber and carbohydrates.
• Calories- 46
• Water-87%
• Protein-0.4 gms(grams)
• Sugar – 4 gms
• Fat-0.1 gms
• Carbohydrate-12.2 gms
• Fibers-4.6 gms

Carbohydrates in Cranberries

• Glucose
• Sucrose
• Fructose

Fibers in Cranberries

• Hemicellulose
• Cellulose
• Pectin

High fiber diet reduces the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Vitamins and minerals in Cranberries

• Vitamin C(essential for maintaining healthy skin, muscles, and bone)
• Vitamin E(fat-soluble vitamin essential for healthy eyes and skin)
• Vitamin K1(fat-soluble vitamin needed for blood clotting and wound healing)
• Vitamin B viz;B1,B2,B3 and B6(Helps in cell processes and brain functioning)
• Copper(an essential mineral needed for forming red blood cells and also helps in keeping bones and the immune system healthy)
• Manganese(trace mineral needed for our proper body functioning)

Bioactive compounds of Cranberry

• Myricetin(polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant properties)
• Quercetin(plant pigment with antioxidant flavonoids)
• Ursolic acid (plant defense compounds used for medicinal purposes)
• Peonidin( plant pigment containing antioxidant properties)
• A-type proanthocyanidins( polyphenolic compounds having antioxidant properties) ²Nutrition| Researched based study from Usfda.gov ,⁴Nutrition| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Useful Parts in Cranberry

The Cranberry ripe fruit is the part used as food and medicine ³Nutrition| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Health benefits

Health benefits of Cranberry

Rich in antioxidants

• Cranberries contain phytochemicals such as vitamins E, C, and quercetin that act as antioxidants.
• Antioxidants prevent cell damage and aging by nullifying the body’s free radicals. Free radicals are the prime cause of aging and several chronic diseases, like heart disease and cancer ⁹Health benefits| Researched based study from Sciencedirect.com

Prevents urinary tract infection

• The causative agent of Urinary tract infection is Escherichia coli (E.coli) bacteria that attach to the urinary tract or bladder’s inner lining.
• Cranberries contain A-type proanthocyanidins or condensed tannins that prevent attaching E.coli to the inner lining of the bladder or urinary tract and thus prevent infection.
• Moreover, drinking cranberry juice reduces the risk of urinary tract infections in children and adults.

However, it is to be noted that Cranberry juice does not treat the disease. It can only prevent the disease from occurring ⁵Health benefits| Researched based study from Springer.com ,⁶Health benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Enhances heart health

• Cranberries contain antioxidants such as quercetin, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins, which are suitable for heart health.

Consuming Cranberry juice and products decreases the risk factors for heart diseases, such as:

• Increasing the levels of good cholesterol, i.e., high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the blood
• Preventing low-density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol from oxidation
• Lowering the blood pressure
• Decreasing the stiffness in blood vessels ⁸Health benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

However, more research is warranted to prove this fact.

Prevents stomach cancers

• Stomach cancers are caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)bacteria
• Cranberries contain A-type proanthocyanidin compounds that prevent the Helicobacter pylori bacteria from sticking to the stomach lining.
• Drinking cranberry juice inhibits the growth of H.pylori bacteria ⁷Health benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Improves digestive health

• Cranberry contains an A-type proanthocyanins compound that prevents harmful bacterial growth in the gut (digestive tract) and enhances the growth of good bacteria. However, further research is warranted to prove the effect of Cranberry on digestive health ¹⁰Health benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Reduces inflammation

• Cranberries contain anthocyanins and flavanols, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
• It reduces pain and swelling.
• It also decreases the risk of persistent diseases and thus lowers the body’s inflammation.

Prevents cavities

• Cranberries contain A-type proanthocyanins compound which inhibits bacterial growth in the mouth
• It also prevents the formation of harmful acids in the mouth, thus helping prevent tooth cavities ¹¹Health benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Forms

Different consumable forms of cranberry

Cranberry is available in the following forms

• Fresh raw form
• Frozen berries
• Juice of cranberry
• Concentrate form

Dried Cranberry is also available in

• Tablet form
• Capsule form

Pure Cranberry juice is very sour, and artificial sweeteners are usually added to enhance the taste. Added sugars make the juice less healthy, so purchasing cranberry juice with minimal added sugar is best.

Dosage

Dosage of Cranberry

• Fresh or frozen-1.5 oz per day(1 ounce(oz)=29.6 milliliter)
• Juice- 3 oz of pure juice per day
• To prevent urinary tract infection-10 oz of cranberry juice cocktail per day

However, it is best to take advice from a physician to know the correct dose of Cranberry ¹²Dosage| Researched based study from Sciencedirect.com

Side effects

Side Effects of Cranberry

Eating too many Cranberry might cause

• Stomach pain
• Abdominal discomfort
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea ¹³Side effects| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov
• Excess cranberry juice can lead to kidney stone formation in individuals prone to calcium oxalate-type stones. Kidney stone formation is because the Cranberry products increase the oxalate excretion in the urine.

Precautions

Precautions one must take while consuming cranberries

• Cranberry is considered safe to drink for most individuals. But pregnant women and nursing mothers must consult a registered health professional before including Cranberry in their diet.
• People with high sugar must select Cranberry brands that are sugar-free or contain low sugar.

Risk people who should not consume Cranberry

• People allergic to aspirin
• People already having urinary tract infection
• People with kidney stones
• People taking blood-thinning medicines ¹⁴Precautions| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Interactions

Cranberry interactions with other medicines

Aspirin

• Aspirin and Cranberry both contain salicylic acid
• Taking Cranberry and aspirin together might alter the effect of the drug

Warfarin (Coumadin)

• Taking Cranberry and Warfarin together might increase the risk of bleeding ⁶Interactions| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Tips

Tips for using cranberries

Tips to include Cranberries in diet

• One can prepare a homemade mixture of nuts, seeds, and dried cranberries and consume it as a snack.
• Add fresh cranberries to apple pie for extra flavor
• One can add fresh or dried cranberries to oatmeal or any other breakfast cereal
• Add frozen cranberries to a fruit smoothie
• Mix dried cranberries to fruit salad

Tips for choosing the right Cranberry juice

It is always wise to purchase Cranberry juice that is labeled as follows

• Made with 100% real juice
• Made with natural sweeteners like grape juice and apples

Takeaway

Key Takeaways

• Cranberries are a good source of several vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants.
• Cranberries have potential health benefits, such as maintaining a healthy heart and preventing urinary tract infections.
• Cranberry in the correct dose is safe and healthy for most people, but overdosing can cause side effects.
• People with medical conditions must always talk to a doctor before including Cranberry in their diet.