Cranberry or Vaccinium macrocarpon is an evergreen shrub grown mostly in North America. The
cranberry bush is distinguished by straight branches with speckled leaves and tiny dots inside. The flowers are pink in colour while fruits are red-black which mature during June and July.
The
cranberry fruit is rich in antioxidants, because of the presence of substances called “proanthocyanidins” which are also responsible for its rich color. Antioxidants search for damaging particles known as free radicals in the body which occur naturally in the body. Free radicals are harmful as they can alter and tamper with cell membranes genetic material or DNA, and even provoke cell death. Free radicals can increase because of the presence of environmental toxins in the atmosphere like air pollution, ultraviolet light, cigarette smoking, and radiation. Free radicals are also believed to contribute to the aging process and result in a number of health problems such as heart disease, cancer. Antioxidants of
cranberry help neutralize these free radicals and even prevent these damages from taking place. Research has shown presence of high level of antioxidants in people after drinking
cranberry juice. However, how much of it translates into protection of heart disease till needs to seen.
“Proanthocyanidins” in cranberries also stop micro-organisms from resulting infections like UTIs and believe to have cancer fighting substances.
Cranberries are also a rich source of vitamin C as well. The fruit of cranberry is used for medicinal and commercial purposes.
The medicinal properties of
cranberry have been known for centuries. As early as the 1920s, it was discovered by the American scientists that people who ate large amounts of cranberries have more acid in their urine as compared to those who ate less number of cranberries.
Acidic environment prevents bacteria from thriving and therefore a diet rich in
cranberries may help in preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs), which are caused by a bacteria known as Escherichia coli. Thus very soon, the popularity of cranberry increased especially among women who got positive results from eating cranberries in sufficient quantities. Today there is sufficient evidence to show that the use of cranberries can prevent and treat UTIs.
In the ancient days raw
cranberries were used by the native to heal wounds. Early inhabitants from England used cranberry both in raw and in cooked form to cure a variety of diseases like blood disorders, appetite loss, digestive problems, and scurvy, a result of vitamin C deficiency.
