When it comes to high nutrition and antioxidants, the tiny, tangy cranberry has been named a ‘super food’, according to a recent authoritative article in Medical News Today.
This zesty little gem – mostly only eaten during the holidays – has so many benefits, it should be eaten all year long. Tracing its roots back for centuries, early Native Americans used cranberries in a variety of dishes, and even to dye clothing and blankets.
Packed with powerful anti-bacterial properties, little did those earlier peoples know the benefits of cranberries include helping reduce the chance of developing urinary tract infections, cardiovascular disease, cancer and even dental issues. So where does it get all of these amazing powers. It’s in the nutrients and antioxidants.
Cranberries are loaded with Vitamin C and Vitamin E, which block some of the damage caused by free radicals. These vitamins also boost immune function and protect against infectious agents, according to researchers at University of Maryland Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health Office.
With their high fiber content, cranberries significantly lower the risks for developing coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and certain gastrointestinal diseases, according to further research done at the Department of Internal Medicine and Nutritional Sciences Program of the University of Kentucky. The fiber in cranberries also helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, improve insulin sensitivity and enhance weight loss.
By adding cranberries to homemade trail mix or including them in smoothies or cereals – or however you might enjoy them – you’ll be helping protect yourself from a host of conditions and improve your overall health and wellness.
Source
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/269142.php
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