The cranberry is a small tart flavored berry grown primarily in North America. Native Americans first used cranberries for their healing properties while early settlers from England learned to use the berry both raw and cooked for many ailments, including appetite loss, digestive problems, blood disorders, and scurvy. Taking cranberry tablets or drinking unsweetened cranberry juice can be beneficial for your health.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are powerful vitamins which can be found in both cranberry tablets and cranberry juice. Antioxidants help to protect the cells of the body from environmental damage and free radicals. These vitamins have been linked to the promotion of a healthy immune system and cardiovascular health.
Bladder Health
According to the The Cranberry Institute, cranberries contain proanthocyanidins which can prevent the adhesion of certain of bacteria, including E. coli, associated with urinary tract infections to the urinary tract wall. Therefore, cranberries may help to prevent the development of urinary tract infections in some individuals. Please note that cranberries will not cure an existing urinary tract infection. If you think you may be suffering from a urinary infection you should seek prompt medical care.
Stomach Health
Taking cranberry tablets or drinking unsweetened cranberry juice for several months may help to prevent the development of stomach ulcers caused by the organism H.pylori. H.pylori has also been implicated in the development of stomach cancer.
Cardiovascular Health
Drinking cranberry juice daily may increase levels of HDL, or good cholesterol and reduce levels of LDL, or bad cholesterol. Maintaining a healthy HDL level while keeping your LDL level low is thought to decrease cardiovascular risk by preventing the development of fatty plaques which can adhere to the body's arterial walls predisposing one to heart attack and stroke.
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