Cranberry is a small round fruit that grows on low vines, each one bright red and juicy. A single misstep can easily stain you red with its natural pigments. Since it can only be cultivated in highly acidic sandy soil and prefers cold wetland climates, it currently only grows in certain areas such as the northern five states of America, Canada, and Chile in South America. The total production area worldwide is less than 40,000 acres, making it a rather precious fruit, hence its nickname "North American Ruby."
For skin care and anti-aging, cranberries are unmatched! Known as "little red berries," cranberries are truly women's best friends. Their bright red appearance is appealing, and their tangy taste makes your mouth water. Most notably, cranberries not only prevent cancer and aging but are also famous for preventing urinary tract infections. Due to their numerous health benefits and limited growing conditions, they are only grown in certain regions, thus having a limited production. No wonder some call them "the ruby of North America"!
A small red berry, rich in nutrition
Because fresh cranberries are difficult to obtain and preserve, most cranberry products available on the market today are blended juices, dried fruits, or nutritional supplements in tablet form. The reason why cranberries have become health foods is not only due to their high content of vitamin C, an essential nutrient in fruits, but also because they contain many other nutrients that rank highest among vegetables and fruits. Therefore, cranberries have various health benefits.
Health Benefit One: Prevents common urinary tract infections in women
Women's urethras are shorter than men's, making them more prone to infections. Once urinary tract infections occur, even after treatment, they tend to recur easily. Cranberries acidify urine, making the urinary tract an unfavorable environment for bacterial growth. They also have a mechanism that prevents pathogenic bacteria from adhering to cells inside the body, making it difficult for bacteria causing urinary tract infections to attach to the walls of the urethra. In this way, even if some bacteria manage to survive in harsh conditions, they will still be expelled with the urine. Therefore, British researchers suggest drinking about 350cc or more of cranberry juice or cranberry nutritional supplements daily to help prevent urinary tract infections and cystitis.
Health Benefit Two: Reduces the incidence of stomach ulcers and stomach cancer
The occurrence of bacterial stomach ulcers is mostly due to Helicobacter pylori. When this bacterium attaches to the stomach lining for a long time, it damages the stomach, leading to bacterial stomach ulcers. Regular consumption of cranberries can inhibit bacterial adhesion in the stomach. Moreover, cranberries provide the body with antibiotic-like protective capabilities. This "natural antibiotic" does not cause drug resistance in the body and has no concerns about side effects, so it can be consumed daily without worry.
Health Benefit Three: Reduces cardiovascular aging changes
People who frequently consume high-calorie, high-fat, and high-cholesterol foods are prone to premature aging of the cardiovascular system, leading to various diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, and vascular occlusion. Therefore, doctors have been urging everyone to eat less of these "three high" foods and to consume more foods containing monounsaturated fatty acids and tocotrienols (such as fish oil) to prevent the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (commonly known as bad cholesterol). However, for vegetarians who cannot choose meat-based foods, and where these nutrients are generally low in plants, fortunately, cranberries contain high amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids and tocotrienols, as well as another antioxidant - condensed tannins. Therefore, whether you are a meat-eater or a vegetarian, cranberries can be used to protect cardiovascular health.
Health Benefit Four: Anti-aging, avoiding dementia
In a doctoral report study from an American university, it was pointed out that cranberries contain a very potent substance that resists free radicals - bioflavonoids. Its content ranks first among the commonly known 20 types of vegetables and fruits. In an environment filled with free radical damage, resisting aging through natural and healthy methods becomes increasingly difficult. Regular or daily consumption of cranberries is one of the good ways to do so.
Health Benefit Five: Beautifying and maintaining youthful skin
Any fruit contains vitamin C that beautifies and nourishes the skin, and cranberries are no exception. These precious little red berries can resist the aging damage caused by free radicals to the skin while providing necessary nutrients. With these dual approaches, it would be hard not to look younger and more beautiful!
Nutritionist's Reminder
Although cranberries greatly help in preventing various diseases, they are ultimately natural foods and cannot be used as medicine for medical purposes. If you notice any symptoms related to a disease, you should visit a hospital to find the actual problem so that you can get the right treatment early.