Cranberries are traditionally known as a fall and holiday food. However, they have many health benefits and should be eaten all year.The health benefits stretch through the whole human body, and researchers are certain that the extent of their benefits are growing as more and more research is conducted.
Cranberries were recognized by the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans as a nutrient-dense fruit, just an 8-ounce glass of cranberry juice cocktail contains 137% of the daily value of vitamin C. Be sure this juice has no added sugars.
Current research indicates that approximately 10 ounces of cranberry juice cocktail is needed daily to achieve the bacteria-blocking benefits that ward off urinary tract infections and gum disease. You can get these benefits in an array of cranberry products. Whole foods are always better, not just in juice form. Snack or cook with one of these products at least once a day.
Cranberries Extend to the Gut
A recent study titled Impact of Cranberries on Gut Microbiota and Cardiometabolic Health Proceedings of the Cranberry Health Research Conference 2015, Jeffery Blumberg, PhD (lead author) states that “cranberry polyphenols may interact with other bioactive compounds in cranberries that could protect the gut microbiota, and provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions that benefit the cardiovascular system, metabolism, and improve immune function.”
Neurodegenerative Disease Protection
New research has also proven that cranberries may help to improve memory and brain function while lowering “bad cholesterol.”
Researchers found significant improvements in episodic memory performance, which coincided with increased perfusion of key neural areas, according to the study published in Journal Frontiers in Nutrition.
Other research has found that a significant decrease in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol levels, known to contribute to atherosclerosis. This contributes to thickening or hardening of the arteries, caused by a build-up of plaque in the artery lining.
