Cranberry
The superfruits against fever and colds
editorial.overview
Which health-promoting ingredients are found in cranberries?
Cranberry belongs to the genus of blueberries. The English name “Cranberry” dates back to the 17th century and comes from the German word “Kranichbeere”: the flowers of cranberries resemble the head and beak of a crane. The correct German designation for cranberry is “grossfrüchtige Moosbeere” (Latin Vaccinium macrocarpon). Cranberries taste tart and sour and are not edible raw for everyone.
They provide many valuable bioactive substances such as flavonoids, procyanidins, anthocyanins, catechins and phenols as well as organic acids (citric acid, malic acid), digestion-promoting fibre and healthy polyunsaturated fatty acids.
In addition, the red power fruits contain iron, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and notable amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K. This unique composition contributes to positive effects for a range of complaints such as loss of appetite, diarrhoea, fever, rheumatism, gout, high blood pressure and colds.
editorial.facts
- Native Americans used cranberries against inflammations, applied cranberry compresses to wounds and dyed their clothing with cranberry juice.
- During harvest, the buoyancy of cranberries is used: fields are flooded at night to a water depth of about 45 cm, the berries are lighter than water, float and are sieved. There is also “dry harvest”, where mechanical harvesting machines comb the berries from the bushes.
- Cranberries are easily confused with lingonberries (preiselbeere). However, lingonberries have considerably less flesh, a higher proportion of seeds, taste more sour and are smaller than cranberries, which can almost reach the size of a cherry.
How do cranberries protect against bladder infections?
The special feature of moosbeeren is that they boast highly effective antioxidants: type A proanthocyanidins. Most other fruits usually contain the less active B-type proanthocyanidins. Valuable type A proanthocyanidins can particularly effectively protect our body from damage by free radicals and have a positive effect on the urinary tract and the cardiovascular system.
Studies show that cranberries prevent the attachment of pathogens to the inner bladder wall, counteract inflammatory processes and can suppress the proliferation of harmful bacteria such as Escheria coli .
Escheria coli are usually harmless – but only when they are in the gut. If they reach the urinary tract and are not eliminated by the body's defences, they can promote a bladder infection. A-type proanthocyanidins are effective helpers in the fight against Escheria coli by preventing these bacteria from invading body cells. In this way, recurrent bladder infections can be prevented.
What influence do cranberries have on the cardiovascular system?
Our cardiovascular system also benefits from these anti-inflammatory power fruits. A scientific study examined the effect of cranberry powder on the cardiovascular system. Participants received 9 g daily of freeze-dried cranberry powder for one month, equivalent to 100 g of fresh berries with a polyphenol content of 525 mg. By the end of the study their vascular function had improved – flow-mediated vasodilation had increased significantly. If this process is impaired, blood vessels can no longer produce sufficient nitric oxide, which is necessary for the relaxation and widening of blood vessels. The better vasodilation works, the lower the risk of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.
Wie nehmen Sie Cranberry heute ein?
Can cranberries help with stomach problems such as Helicobacter pylori?
Cranberries show significant results against the stomach germ Helicobacter pylori, which can be responsible for various stomach complaints and even some stomach ulcers and stomach cancer. Harmful bacteria in the oral cavity also cannot withstand moosbeeren. This helps in the long term to prevent the formation of dental plaque and periodontal disease.
Healthy and tasty: tips for using cranberries for wellbeing and health
- The healthiest option is fresh, natural moosbeeren. If fresh berries are not available, try the frozen variant.
- 100% cranberry juice demonstrates a protective effect against bacteria in bladder infections. For this purpose, drink up to 750 ml of cranberry juice with dinner. 250 ml twice daily over several weeks is considered a good prevention.
- Although there is no recommended maximum amount for cranberry juice, note that this beverage contains 4.3 g of fruit sugar per 100 ml and hardly any fibre. Too much juice is therefore unhealthy. Generally speaking, one portion of fruit per day can be replaced by about 200 ml of fruit juice.
- To prevent bladder infections, you can take cranberry powder daily that is standardised to a proanthocyanidin content of 72 mg per daily dose.
- For recurrent bladder infections you can opt for preparations that combine cranberry with the natural sugar D-mannose.
- Cranberry is also available as capsules or tablets that contain an extract from dried cranberries and often additional added substances such as pomegranate powder, selenium or zinc. For children, lozenges are recommended, but care should be taken that they contain no added sugar and that the recommended daily dose is not exceeded.
- Since cranberries taste tart and sour, cranberry products are often sweetened. Prefer unsweetened products and sweeten them if necessary with a healthy sweetener.
- In acute urinary tract infections you can, in addition to treatment, take cranberry tablets or dilute 200 ml of cranberry juice in water and take a warm foot bath with added mustard flour.
- Fresh and dried moosbeeren are well suited for baking and as a tasty addition to muesli or yoghurt. Cranberry juice tastes good in cocktails and smoothies.
- For a cranberry smoothie, blend 200 g cranberries, 1 banana, 100 g blueberries and 250 ml milk or plant milk in a blender and sweeten the smoothie with honey or brown cane sugar.
- For healthy breakfast cookies with cranberry, mash 2 ripe bananas in a bowl and mix in 40 g dried cranberries, 100 g whole rolled oats, 40 g flaxseed and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Bake small cookies at 180 degrees top and bottom heat for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Pregnant women and patients taking anticoagulants should consult a doctor. Because cranberries contain a high proportion of oxalic acid, they can promote the formation of kidney stones. This should be noted by people who already have kidney stones. Sometimes the tannins contained in cranberries can cause stomach pain.
Try these nutrient-rich, aromatic berries yourself to benefit from their advantageous effects!
