Useful properties of cranberries were known in ancient times - this berry was used to treat colds, headaches, and also with weak immunity.
Cranberry fruits - small red berries with a sour taste, because of which it is used not only for medicinal, but also for culinary purposes - they make jams, sauces, fruit drinks, juices, cocktails and jelly.
Healing properties of cranberries
The berries of cranberries have a lot of useful properties - first of all, that's why it was nicknamed "vitamin bomb" by the people, because the cranberry is one of the first places in terms of the richness of the vitamin composition. This is a characteristic feature of many northern herbs - for survival in cold, unfriendly conditions, plants were forced to evolve and have a high supply of substances. Along with this, in the composition of cranberries there are not only vitamins, but also antioxidants that help people prolong youth.
Cranberry Vitamins:
- A is beta-carotene;
- B1 is thiamine;
- B2 - riboflavin;
- B3 - niacin;
- B6 - pyridoxine;
- B9 - folic acid;
- C - ascorbic acid;
- K - phylloquinone.
The names of these vitamins can be found on the packaging of a multitude of multivitamin medicines, as well as in the drugs for treating the nervous system, hypertension, meteosensitivity, enhancing the immune system, and improving the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Thus, a person can address directly to nature, and not to chemical pharmaceuticals with synthetic vitamins having the same molecular structure.
In addition to vitamins, cranberries also contain trace elements - phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, calcium and potassium. Obviously, this combination is extremely useful for the heart muscle and bone system.
Women who follow the figure, like the fact that cranberries are low-calorie - in 100 g of the substance contains only 27 calories.
Useful properties of cranberries for the kidneys
Cranberry has a weak diuretic effect, as well as a powerful bactericidal property. That is why it is recommended for infections of the genitourinary system.
Useful properties of cranberries in hypertension
To reduce blood pressure, cranberries are suitable as a diuretic , however, in addition, it strengthens blood vessels, and if the cause of high blood pressure is in their poor state, and not nervous disorders, cranberry juice will certainly improve health.
Cranberry for immunity
Also, this berry is useful to people with a weak immune system - in comparison with other vitamins in the composition of cranberries, the content of vitamin C in it is 5 times more, and therefore it is a powerful tool for colds and flu. As the cranberries lower the temperature, it is appreciated as a means to reduce heat.
Recipes with cranberries and their beneficial properties
Cranberry with honey has many useful properties - this berry in combination with honey becomes an effective remedy against germs and viruses, and therefore a mixture of these ingredients in different proportions are used to treat bacterial and viral infections. Many people store this vitamin cocktail for the winter - mix crushed cranberries with honey in equal proportions and store in the refrigerator, and during the cold make of a mixture of teas or just eat.
But recipes from cranberries can be not only curative, but also culinary purpose. For example:
- Cranberry sauce is made from lemon (1 tsp grated peel), sugar (3 tablespoons), starch (1 tsp), water (1 glass) and cranberries (100 g).
- All ingredients except cranberries are mixed, filtered and boiled.
- In the end, add cranberry juice directly.
Contraindications to the use of cranberries
The healing properties of cranberries mean that the berries have contraindications - for example, with liver diseases and viral hepatitis, cranberries are prohibited.
Berry is not recommended for pregnant women, people prone to allergic reactions, as well as those who have a thin tooth enamel.
Because of the acids contained in the cranberries, it can not be eaten on the hungry stomach, as well as people with peptic ulcer.