You might think of cranberries as just an ingredient used in cooking on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Cranberries are native North American berries that are used not only to prepare cranberry sauce and baked goods but are also pressed to make cranberry juice. Cranberries have numerous uses that go beyond just being tasty. And if you don't like the taste of cranberries, you can take cranberry pills to obtain the health benefits of this powerful berry.
Vitamin C and Antioxidant
Cranberries are potent sources of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, cranberries were used during American colonial times to prevent scurvy, a deficiency of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a necessary nutrient that your body requires to maintain healthy functioning of your nervous system. The antioxidant effects of vitamin C helps your body to fight free radical damage, which occurs naturally in your body as a by-product of digestion and due to exposure to environmental pollutants. Taking a cranberry pill supplement can help you to meet your recommended daily allowance of vitamin C if you're not meeting this requirement through dietary sources.
Urinary Tract Health
One of the most well-known uses for cranberries is their ability to combat urinary tract infections. Urinary tract infections are relatively common infections among women, caused by the accumulation of bacteria in the urethra. This generally happens due to intercourse or cleaning yourself after urinating. If you do not drink enough water, you may have a greater risk of developing a urinary tract infection. According to the McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, taking cranberry pills can facilitate your recovery from a urinary tract infection by preventing the adherence of bacteria to your bladder wall. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that cranberry may be particularly effective in treating cases of recurrent urinary tract infection.
Cancer Prevention
One of the most important benefits of cranberries is their potential ability to prevent the growth of cancer cells. According to the Cranberry Institute, preliminary test tube studies suggest that cranberries contain specific cancer-fighting components. This may be due to their high content of flavonoids, which are toxic to cancer cells.
Prevent Heart Disease
Due to their high content of flavonoids, cranberries may also play an important role in fighting heart disease. According to the Cranberry Institute, cranberries may help to lower LDL, or "bad" cholesterol levels, helping to protect against the possibility of stroke and high blood pressure.
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