The North American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is the most commonly grown variety, however additional varieties can be found in nature.Raw cranberries are rarely eaten due to their strong and acidic flavor. In fact, they’re most commonly consumed by drinking cranberry juice, which is usually sweetened and mixed with other fruit juices.Cranberry sauce, dried cranberries, and cranberry powder extract used in supplements are among the other cranberry-based items. Fresh cranberries are high in vitamins and dietary fiber that are beneficial to your health.They are usually found in the northern United States and southern Canada, where they grow on vines in freshwater bogs. They have a lot in common with blueberry and wintergreen. They were first used by Native Americans for food, dye, and medicinal purposes. They were eaten by sailors to prevent scurvy while at sea. Farmers harvest around 40,000 ac (16187.42 ha) in the United States each year.The American cranberry and the British cranberry are the two major types. The British berry is a tiny fruit with speckles that have never been farmed in the United States. There are around 100 different types of American cranberries. The majority of them are produced to make cranberry juice. Crimson Queen, Mullica Queen, and Demoranville are high-sugar varieties that are popular among gardeners who like to cook with berries.Fun Facts About CranberriesListed down below are some of the most interesting and fun facts about the delicious cranberries.Cranberries are related to blueberries, bilberries, and lingonberries and belong to the heather family.Cranberry juice is well-known for eliminating bacteria from the urinary tract, but these berries are also high in antioxidant compounds, vitamin C, and other nutrients.Cranberries have tiny pockets of air inside them that allow them to bounce and float. This is why the fruit is visible in cranberry bogs when there is a lot of water. They do not grow beneath the surface of the water, but rather float on top of it.Wisconsin is the leading producer of cranberries.Natural molecules called flavonoids are one of the cranberry’s health benefits, and they can help reduce germs and plaque development on teeth. Unfortunately, these advantages are only applicable to the raw state of the berry or pure cranberry juice.Cranberries contain a lot of water, in addition to the microscopic air spaces noted earlier. In fact, water makes up almost 90% of each berry, making them extremely weighty. A pound of cranberries is made up of only 450 cranberries.Thanksgiving week accounts for 20% of the 400 million lb (181 million kg) of cranberries consumed in the United States each year.Another interesting fact is 200 cranberries are contained in each can of cranberry sauce.Cranberries are picked throughout the late autumn and early winter. Look for berries with vibrant or deep colors when buying fresh berries at the shop. Berries should be plump and blemish-free. Avoid those that appear to be desiccated or shriveled.Keep in mind that cranberries are available in a variety of forms. Most supermarkets sell frozen cranberries. Around the holidays, canned jellied cranberries and canned sauce are popular. Fresh cranberries, like other berries, can be added to yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, or fruit salad if you prefer the acidic flavor.Nutritional Facts About CranberriesCranberries are classed as a superfood because of their nutritional value and numerous beneficial health effects.Consumption of dried and fresh berries has been found to have potential health benefits! It protects against stomach cancer, aging and neurological illnesses, inflammation, diabetes, and bacterial infections in scientific research.Supplementing with cranberries may help to prevent H. pylori from proliferating in the gastric mucosa, lowering the risk of stomach cancer.Drinking cranberry juice may protect against gram-negative bacterial infections like E.coli in the urinary tract, according to research.Antioxidant chemicals found in cranberries, such as peonidin, anthocyanidin flavonoids oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), cyanidin, and quercetin, may protect against cardiovascular disease by preventing cholesterol plaque formation in heart and blood vessels.Other phytonutrients with anti-inflammatory effects can be found in cranberries. Inflammation plays a role in the long-term damage of blood vessels, particularly arteries. Atherosclerosis develops as a result of the damaged arteries attracting plaque.It may help to prevent ulcers-Helicobacter pylori infection is thought to be a leading cause of stomach inflammation and ulcers.Cranberry juice can assist to prevent alkaline (calcium-ammonium-phosphate) stones from forming in the urinary tract.The raw berries are also high in vitamins C, A, and folate, as well as phenolics like beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, as well as minerals like potassium and manganese. A 1.5 in (3.81 cm) slice of canned, sweetened jellied cranberry contains roughly 90 calories.Cranberry juice and extracts have been demonstrated to reduce the risk of heart disease in people with a variety of risk factors.They are packed with vitamins but happen to lack vitamin D.Cranberries have very low amounts of sugar. In one cup of cranberries, there is only 0.14 oz (4 g) of sugar.One cup of cranberry sauce contains 440 calories and 4 oz (112 g) of total carbohydrates. It also has healthy amounts of vitamins and minerals.Facts About Dried CranberriesCranberries, whether dried or fresh, are high in nutrients such as vitamins and antioxidants. Dried ones contain about the same amount of antioxidants and dietary fiber as fresh cranberries.Cranberries contain polyphenols that have anti-inflammatory characteristics, therefore regular consumption of dried cranberries is an easy and enjoyable strategy to minimize cardiac problems.PACs, or proanthocyanins, are another significant nutrient found in cranberries. These are antioxidants that keep bacteria from adhering to the insides of your urinary tract.In the same way that the PACs in them prevent bacteria from adhering to your bladder wall, they also prevent bacteria from adhering to your teeth. This improves your dental hygiene by strengthening your teeth and gums and reducing other issues such as poor breath and gum bleeding.According to studies, those who eat dried cranberries on a regular basis have a lower risk of getting a malignant tumor.Citric acid, which is abundant in them, can help you avoid kidney and bladder issues.Dried berries are high in amino acids and hydroxyproline, which the body requires for collagen formation. The latter is essential for keeping your skin supple and youthful. They also help to moisturize your skin.Dried cranberries, for example, are low in calories and high in fiber, so they keep you satisfied for longer. You can eat these as a meal without any additional ingredients.The dried fruit is high in vitamins A and vitamin C, and may be the solution to your hair problems like dandruff and hair loss. The fruit’s antifungal and antibacterial properties prevent the scalp from drying out, which is the primary cause of dandruff and oily hair.These berries are a rich source of vitamin E as well! It is present in the form of alpha-tocopherol.Facts On The Side Effects Of CranberriesWhen eaten in moderation, cranberries and cranberry products are generally safe for most individuals. Excessive consumption, on the other hand, can have adverse effects on your health.Although cranberry juice is excellent in flushing your kidneys of any impurities, cranberries, especially concentrated cranberry extracts, may contain significant levels of oxalate and, when ingested in large quantities, are thought to be a risk factor for kidney stones.Oxalic acids also prevent minerals like calcium and magnesium from being absorbed, resulting in a deficiency.An upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea are all possible harmful effects of consuming too many cranberries.If you’re on warfarin, you should note that cranberries have a high vitamin K content. This vitamin may interact with warfarin, a prescription blood thinner.Cranberries can cause allergies. Before including cranberries or any cranberry-based product in your diet if you have a berry allergy, seek specialized advice from your healthcare professional.
The North American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is the most commonly grown variety, however additional varieties can be found in nature.
