CRANBERRIES: WHY THIS SUPERFRUIT BELONGS IN YOUR DIET

Cranberries aren’t just for Thanksgiving! Learn more about why this superfruit belongs in your diet!

Think you know cranberries? Think again!

While eating cranberries is more common around the holidays, there are plenty of reasons to enjoy them year-round.

Turns out, these tart, juicy berries are packed with nutritional benefits!

In fact, Native American tribes have used cranberries to treat illnesses for hundreds of years.

Today, cranberries are used to support urinary health and prevent UTI’S, but studies show that their health-promoting benefits don’t stop there. Read on to learn how cranberries can boost your immune system, lower blood pressure, and help prevent certain diseases.

Although their taste may make your face pucker up, their benefits are anything but “sour”. Here are 3 reasons why you should add cranberries to your diet!

Want to support your immune system? Cranberries can help!

While most people rely on oranges to increase their vitamin C intake, cranberries are just as effective. Just one cup of cranberries contains 22 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C.

Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient that your body can only get from consuming food. And research shows that the best way to get vitamin C is from whole fruits and vegetables.

This nutrient is needed for the growth and development of all body tissues. Not only does vitamin C improve your immune system, but it increases iron absorption, speeds up wound healing and improves the health of your skin.

Like blueberries, cranberries are a rich source of antioxidants – especially flavonol polyphenols. Studies show eating foods rich in polyphenols can do wonders for your health.

Cranberries are one of the main sources of quercetin – a powerful antioxidant associated with anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. Quercetin has been shown to reduce allergies, lower blood pressure, and help protect against degenerative brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

This crimson red berry gets its color from a class of flavonoids called anthocyanins. This group of antioxidants has the ability to fight free radicals and prevent lifestyle-related diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

When your body recognizes a threat to your health it triggers a process called inflammation.

But too much inflammation can be problematic. Cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease have all been linked to chronic inflammation.

That’s where cranberries come in! Thanks to the antioxidant quercetin, this superfood has been shown to have strong natural anti-inflammatory effects that combat the symptoms of chronic inflammation.

Cranberries aren’t just for seasonal celebrations – these health-promoting berries deserve a spot on your plate all year!

But what’s the best way to eat cranberries?

If you’re wanting to get the full nutritional benefits of cranberries, there are certain products you should avoid. Cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail is often made with artificial flavors, corn syrup, and other fruit juices. In fact, if you remove the added ingredients you’re left with hardly any cranberries at all.

In order to get the highest level of nutrients, opt for raw, dried, or frozen cranberries.