November is National Cranberry Month in the United States. And boy, is this Thanksgiving staple jam-packed with more healthiness than you can imagine! So when your family passes around the cranberry sauce, you may not want to skip it any longer. In fact, you may want to add this super food to your diet all year round. Let’s look at some of the many health benefits of cranberries.
What are the Health Benefits of Cranberries?
#1: Cranberries are rich in many different vitamins and minerals. A half cup of cranberries contains calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, fiber, iron, folate, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B6.
#2: Cranberries are known for their ability to clean the urinary tract and prevent urinary tract infections. This is due to the concentrated amount of antioxidants called proanthocyanidins (PACs) in cranberries. PACs prevent certain bacteria from sticking to urinary tract walls. Despite what many people think, cranberry juice does not contain enough antioxidant proanthocyanidins to do this. Cranberry capsules do a much better job at preventing and treating UTIs.
#3: Cranberries have also shown to slow the growth of cancer tumors. This is especially true for prostate, liver, breast, ovarian, and colon cancers.
#4: Cranberries may help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Polyphenols, which are micronutrients found in cranberries, have anti-inflammatory properties. They prevent the build-up of platelets and reduce blood pressure.
The proanthocyanidins in cranberries can also help maintain good oral health. They prevent bacteria from sticking to teeth. Considering all the health benefits of cranberries, you may want to keep them on your monthly grocery list even after the holiday season is over.
Want to know how other foods are good for your health? Read our blog about the health benefits of pumpkins and cherries.
