Beneficial properties of cranberries for the human body and contraindications

Cranberries: benefits and harms, contraindications, possibility of use by pregnant and lactating women, benefits for children, calorie content and chemical composition, medicinal properties, what can be prepared, reviews. These are not all the questions asked by supporters of proper nutrition who want to lead a healthy lifestyle or lose excess weight. In fact, fruit juice with cranberries can overcome a viral disease, increase immunity, overcome diseases of the genitourinary system, and increase brain activity. Now there is also data on the possible prevention of cancerous tumors with the help of swamp grapes and its effectiveness when used in cosmetology to eliminate some deficiencies of the facial epidermis. Information on how beneficial cranberries are and who should avoid consuming them is presented in the text below.

Cranberries grow in marshy areas in the northern hemisphere.

History of cranberries

Cranberry, also called princess, snowdrop, stonefly, crane berry, swamp grape, was known to many peoples of the world, and disputes about which country is the birthplace of the plant are still ongoing. The cuisines of different countries of the world, located on different continents, include dishes with cranberries, which is the basis for disagreement. Let's try together to figure out where the world learned about this plant, valuable for the human body.

In fact, there is a cranberry that humanity has known for so long that there is no exact information about how the world learned about such a plant; it is called marsh or marsh grapes. The culture is widespread in the USA, Europe, Russia and other countries. This unpretentious berry was first described in “Domostroy”, and the events date back to the sixteenth century, so Europeans consider Russia to be the birthplace of this variety.

The history of the large-fruited berry, a variety specially bred in the USA, begins with the formation of America. Wild cranberries were known to the Indians - the people used them almost constantly and created a whole legend about the origin of the berry. The beginning of large-scale cultivation was laid by Captain Henry Hall, a resident of Massachusetts, who in 1816 began selecting the best shoots and observing how the soil affected the growth of the plant.

Two decades later, large-scale cultivation of domesticated large-fruited cranberries began in America, which came to Russia only three decades later. The importation of domestic crops dates back to 1871 - this was done by Eduard Ludwigovich Regel, director of the Imperial Botanical Garden, St. Petersburg. Since then and to this day, in addition to small bitter cranberries, larger ones with a less pronounced specific sour-bitter taste of swamp grapes have appeared on the territory of our country.

To summarize, we can say that at the moment the history of the plant is divided into two stages:

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• before cultivation;
• after selection.

The exact course of events has been established only for large-fruited cranberries; its homeland is the United States of America, but regarding the emergence of the wild berry, the ancestor of domestic culture, there are only legends and guesses: according to some sources, this is a native Russian culture, others - the origins of the berry are located in the Northern Territory. America.

Where do cranberries grow?

In nature, this berry grows in damp places: in swamps, in sphagnum coniferous forests, as well as on marshy shores of lakes. They began to cultivate it in the second half of the last century; there are cranberry plantations both in Russia (Karelia, Kostroma, Arkhangelsk regions), and in Belarus, the USA, Canada, Poland, Finland and other countries.

What properties cranberries have turned out to be interesting not only to ordinary people, but also to scientists. The health benefits of crane berries have been studied for several decades, and we will share the results of some of these studies with you.

Composition and calorie content of cranberries

The energy value of one hundred grams of fresh berries is 28.0 kilocalories. This quantity contains in grams:

• proteins/0.5;
• fat/0.2;
• carbohydrates/3.7;
• dietary fiber/3.3;
• water/89.

The complete chemical composition of the plant’s fruits is presented in the table:

In addition to the substances indicated in the table, swamp grapes contain nicotinic acid in the amount of 300 micrograms/100 grams, which is 1.5% of the body’s daily requirement. Organic acids that are present in cranberries have a powerful antimicrobial effect, which explains the activity of the berry in the fight against colds and its long shelf life, because the harvest not harvested in the fall lies under the snow until the spring drops. The presence of these same compounds also causes side effects.

The medicinal effect of cranberries is expressed by the presence in the chemical composition of such organic acids as:

• lemon;
• benzoin;
• amber;
• oxoglutaric;
• cinchona;
• chlorogenic;
• apple;
• oleanolic;
• ursula;
• amber.

The berry contains the following monosaccharides:

• sucrose;
• fructose.

During treatment with sulfodrugs, fresh cranberries and dishes with berries should be avoided.

Cranberries have unique and beneficial properties

Useful elements

The energy value of fresh cranberries is only 26 kcal per hundred grams of product. If you pre-dry it, then you can forget about the minimum calorie content, since the figure will exceed the 300 kcal mark.

Because of this, nutritionists advise everyone who watches their figure to eat fresh berries. This will not only take care of your waistline, but also preserve a full set of vitamins, minerals, and pectins. This is especially true for the preservation of all organic acids important for the body:

• lemon;
• ursolova;
• benzoin;
• cinchona;
• apple;
• chlorogenic;
• amber;
• alendronova;
• oxaline [1[1]/li>

The pulp, rubbed through a sieve, will become a storehouse of vitamin C, equating the product in terms of the amount of this element with citrus fruits and garden strawberries. In addition to ascorbic acid and phylloquinone, which denote vitamin K1, cranberries will delight you with the presence of B vitamins from to, as well as.

If the recipe calls for cooking, then chefs advise using the five-minute principle. The algorithm is suitable for housewives who intend to make jam and are not ready to sacrifice the nutritional value of the raw material. A special feature of the technique is the heat treatment of the mass ready for rolling for just five minutes. This is enough to stop the fermentation process. A minimum period of exposure to high temperatures will also preserve:

• phenolic acids;
• leukoanthocyanins;
• catechins;
• betaines [1[1]/li>

It’s even better if, when canning, you exclude the stage of aging the berry mass in sugar. Instead, it will be more useful to make the preparation with honey, although it is somewhat more expensive, but much healthier.

Frozen, in accordance with all the nuances of the technological process, cranberries can abundantly replenish the body with potassium, phosphorus and calcium. In addition to these three important microelements, the berry is rich in other useful elements:

• copper;
• iron;
• molybdenum;
• manganese;
• boron;
• iodine;
• cobalt;
• tin;
• chromium;
• nickel;
• silver;
• zinc;
• titanium [2[2]/li>

All together, this allows you to saturate the body at the cellular level with nutrients, as well as improve appetite and digestion. The latter occurs due to increased production of gastric juice and pancreatic secretions [3[3][4]/p>

It’s not for nothing that doctors insist on adding berries to the diet of those who suffer from inflammatory processes in the pancreas and also have low acidity.

What are the benefits of cranberries for the human body?

The overall positive effect on the body is expressed by the following effects:

• cleansing/removal of waste and toxins;
• normalization of metabolic processes;
• lowering blood pressure/useful only for hypertensive patients;
• strengthening the walls of capillaries;
• an obstacle to thrombosis;
• normalization of the amount of cholesterol in the circulatory system;
• decreased body temperature;
• antimicrobial;
• antioxidant;
• anti-inflammatory;
• immunostimulating;
• normalization of the nervous system;
• increased appetite;
• elimination of edema;
• improving brain activity.

These properties occur in the absence of contraindications. It is forbidden to use juice or fresh berries before breakfast. Another useful property is the possibility of using cranberries as a prophylactic against cancer.

For men's health

The rich vitamin and mineral composition of cranberries is especially useful for men due to its pronounced immunostimulating effect. The presence of components with an antimicrobial effect makes swamp grapes an effective remedy in the fight against prostatitis.

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For women's health

Similar to men's health, the anti-inflammatory effect of the berry's components is especially useful in the prevention and treatment of cystitis and other genitourinary infections. According to numerous reviews, cranberry juice at night is most effective.

Benefits of cranberries for pregnant women

During pregnancy, young women preparing to become mothers often suffer from edema. Fruit juice with berries will eliminate this shortcoming. In addition, fresh berries contain vitamins and minerals that can replenish the body’s reserves, because now everything is required twice as much. The maximum amount of cranberry drink per day should not exceed one glass; it should be taken every three days with a break of at least three days. Exceeding recommended amounts may result in side effects.

In the third trimester, the use of cranberries is not recommended due to possible harm to the fetus. Before using cranberries during pregnancy, you should first consult with your local gynecologist.

Benefits for children

Due to the pronounced immunostimulating and antipyretic effects, cranberry is beneficial for the child’s body during colds. According to some sources, berry juice can be introduced into the diet of babies older than six months no more than twice within seven days. Pediatricians do not recommend the consumption of cranberries by children under three years of age, so if you have or are prone to allergies, it is better to postpone introducing the baby to the berry. There is another beneficial effect for schoolchildren - improved brain activity.

The use of cranberries in cosmetology

Cranberry extract and juice are used in cosmetology. In diluted form, it is used to combat acne and ulcers, to prevent scarring and to reduce the intensity of allergic rashes. It helps to improve hair health.

Effects that can be obtained by using cranberries:

• The skin will become lighter.
• The oval of the face will tighten.
• Skin elasticity will increase.
• Dermal cells are filled with vitamins.
• Oily sheen, areas of hyperkeratosis and inflammation will disappear.

Recipe for making a cranberry mask against wrinkles

. Cranberries are used to make masks that rejuvenate the skin.

Ingredients:

• Frozen berries – 8 g.
• Cream – 8 g.
• Retinol – 2 ml.

Preparation:

• The berries are crushed using a mortar.
• The cream is mixed with retinol and mint cranberries.
• Apply the mask to the skin, excluding the area around the lips.
• After 15 minutes, remove the mask and wipe your face with jojoba oil.

Strengthening nails

. Cranberry helps restore even severely damaged nail plates. Berry juice or fresh berries are rubbed into them for 20 minutes. The procedure should be carried out 2-3 times a week.

Frozen cranberry scrub.

Using a scrub made from frozen berries helps improve your complexion and get rid of wrinkles. The skin is tightened, the pores are narrowed. Cranberry reduces stretch marks and makes the dermis lighter.

Ingredients:

• Frozen berries – 100 g.
• Coconut or olive oil – 1 tsp.
• Cane sugar – 2 tbsp. l.

Preparation:

• Cranberries are passed through a meat grinder.
• Mix the berry mass with olive oil and add cane sugar to the mask.
• The resulting paste is applied to the face, neck and décolleté. You can use a mask for body care.

It is best to carry out the procedure in the evening. This will allow the skin to recover and absorb vitamins better. After the scrub is washed off with water, the skin is dried and a rich cream is applied to it.

Useful properties and storage of cranberries

You can store fresh berries in the refrigerator in an airtight container for no more than thirty days, and in soaked form for up to ten months. Over time, beneficial substances, despite the fact that the fruits of the plant contain natural preservatives, are destroyed, so the product should not be stored longer than the specified period.

Benefits and storage of frozen cranberries

Frozen fruits retain all the vitamins and minerals of fresh berries, so they do not lose their benefits. The maximum shelf life of cranberries when frozen is twelve months.

Benefits and storage of dried cranberries

In terms of beneficial properties, shrub fruits devoid of water molecules do not differ from fresh ones. Dried cranberries should be stored in bags made of natural materials (cotton fabric). Shelf life:

• when placed in a refrigerator – two years;
• a dry place, protected from direct sunlight, with a temperature not exceeding twenty-five degrees – one year.

The energy value of one hundred grams of dried fruit is 300 kilocalories, so this product is not recommended for those who want to lose weight or for overweight people.

Benefits and storage of dried cranberries

This product, similar to the dried product, retains the beneficial substances of fresh fruits, but the energy value increases to three hundred and eight kilocalories for every hundred grams of dried berries. High calorie content is a limitation for including dried cranberries in diets and for feeding people who are overweight. It should be stored for no longer than two years in a refrigerator and no longer than one year in a dry place protected from direct sunlight.

How to select and save?

High-quality fruits are distinguished by a beautiful gloss and bright color. They are resilient and free of stains and dents. If stored improperly, they become wrinkled. The presence of small twigs and leaves is acceptable.

The berry is healthy because it contains a natural preservative – benzoic acid. It inhibits the development of microorganisms and prevents them from deteriorating. It is this feature that allows you to store the crop without canning.

Large volumes are placed in a cool, dark place. Sometimes, for better preservation, raw materials are poured with cold water. It is first sorted out and cleared of debris.

Nutritionists advise consuming it fresh. Defrost cannot be stored. But it will stay in the freezer until summer. In a glass jar, the supply will last in the cold for several months.

I do this:

• I sort through it, wash it, and dry it on a towel.
• I put it into portioned bags.
• I freeze it.

A win-win option is cranberries with sugar. Many housewives love him. The taste harmoniously combines sweetness and sourness. Lovers of healthy desserts will appreciate it.

Medicinal properties of cranberries

Swamp grapes have the following types of medicinal effects:

• bactericidal;
• anti-inflammatory;
• immunostimulating;
• wound healing;
• diuretic;
• antioxidant.

Regular consumption of berries can improve metabolic processes and hormonal levels, reduce the risk of cancer, but how can the use of cranberries affect health in the presence of other diseases? The answer to this question is presented in the text below.

For diabetes

The presence of fructose in the chemical composition and properties such as reducing the amount of glucose in the body’s circulatory system and eliminating possible complications of diabetes make berries growing in swampy areas a necessary part of the diet for people with diabetes in the absence of diseases of other organs that are contraindications. There are no restrictions on the form of berries - you can take fresh, soaked, dried, dried, juices, fruit drinks, etc.

For gout

Gout is a contraindication to the use of fresh cranberries, but in the presence of this disease and the absence of other contraindications, the use of fruit drinks with marsh grapes is not prohibited. You should not consume such drinks without the knowledge of your doctor, since in case of gout, the swamp beauty, rich in vitamins and minerals, can harm your health by increasing the symptoms of the disease.

To boost immunity

The pronounced immunostimulating effect of the berry has been known for centuries. Drinks with cranberries can reduce the risk of getting sick or eliminate cold symptoms. To do this, you need to drink fruit juice from the fruits of the swamp beauty at least three times a day. Greater results can be achieved by combining fresh or thawed berry puree with honey in a 1:1 ratio. This product can get you back on your feet after two to three days of use, giving you strength and vigor. Nursing mothers and children under three years of age should not be treated in this way.

For the liver

Cranberry juice helps normalize liver function, but the presence of diseases associated with this organ and the gall bladder is a reason to refuse the berry. Folk remedies are contraindicated during periods of exacerbation, but in other periods the use should still be discussed with a specialist first, so as not to increase the symptoms of the underlying disease.

Use of cranberries for medicinal purposes

Drinking cranberry juice and fresh berries helps prevent the development of cancer of the prostate, mammary glands, and female reproductive system. If you regularly rinse your mouth with diluted cranberry juice, you can whiten tooth enamel and prevent the development of caries.

Under pressure.

To reduce blood pressure levels, it is useful to drink a cranberry-based drink.

Ingredients:

• Fresh cranberries – 300 g.
• Sugar – 100 g.
• Water – 250 ml.

How to cook:

• Cranberries are crushed using a blender and poured into a glass container.
• Add sugar and water to the berries.
• Stirring the resulting mixture, bring it to a boil.
• Strain the drink through a sieve.
• The syrup is diluted with boiling water and drunk instead of tea. For a glass of hot water, 2-3 teaspoons of syrup is enough.

For diabetes

. Cranberries help lower blood sugar levels, so fruit drinks with berries are useful for people with diabetes.

Ingredients:

• Cranberries – 300 g.
• Clean water – 1.5 l.
• Fructose – 75 g.

How to cook:

• The berries are crushed with a wooden mortar.
• The released juice is squeezed out.
• The cake is poured with water and boiled.
• Infuse it for 5 minutes, then filter.
• Fructose is added to the juice and mixed thoroughly.
• Take one glass of juice 3 times a day before meals.

For joint disease

. Cranberries help relieve joint pain, reduce inflammation, and make you feel better. To do this, it is recommended to use an ointment based on these berries.

Ingredients:

• Fresh cranberries – 100 g.
• Vaseline – 50 g.
• Lanolin – 50 g.

How to cook:

• The cranberries are ground.
• Add lanolin and petroleum jelly to the berry mass.
• The finished ointment is stored in the refrigerator.
• It is applied to sore joints, wrapped in film and insulated with a scarf.

Cranberry face masks

You should not expect a quick effect from homemade masks - the layers of the epidermis are renewed within thirty to sixty days, which is determined by age: at 25 years old this happens in a month, at 60 years old - in two. Masks should be alternated with each other and used in a course of no longer than six weeks, and the first results should be assessed after at least a month. Compared to highly effective industrial analogues, such products are much cheaper, and their composition is completely natural. Cosmetologists recommend combining external skincare methods with the use of berries internally.

For aging skin

Before preparing a home remedy, it is better to prepare all the necessary accessories in advance and select the ingredients and measure the quantities:

• cranberries/two tablespoons;
• liquid honey/one teaspoon;
• olive oil/one tablespoon.

Preparation: Wash the cranberries and place in a colander. When the excess liquid has drained, mash the fruits of the bush into a puree, add honey, then olive oil, mix thoroughly.

Application: Distribute over facial dermis that has been previously cleansed with gel or foam, then steamed and deeply cleansed with a scrub. Keep for at least twenty minutes, and after this time, remove with warm water.

Result: Moisturizing, nourishing, refreshing, pronounced rejuvenating effect.

For wrinkles

Before preparing a home remedy, it is better to prepare all the necessary accessories in advance and select the ingredients, measure the quantities:

• cranberries/one tablespoon;
• avocado/half;
• chicken egg white/one piece;
• olive oil/one tablespoon.

Preparation: Wash the cranberries and place in a colander. When the excess liquid has drained, mash the fruits of the bush into a puree. Wash the avocado, cut half with a knife, remove the pit, extract the pulp, combine with cranberry puree. Pour olive oil into the resulting mass, then the egg white, beaten until fluffy, mix thoroughly.

Application: Distribute over facial dermis that has been previously cleansed with gel or foam, then steamed and deeply cleansed with a scrub. Keep for at least fifteen and more than twenty minutes, and after this time, remove with warm water.

Result: Cleansing, toning, moisturizing, eliminating fine wrinkles, nutrition.

Harm of cranberries

Cranberries have contraindications because the product contains many organic acids with a sharp, sour taste. If a person is healthy and does not overuse berries, then the benefits will be fully manifested. But with some symptoms, treatment with cranberries will be not only harmful, but also dangerous to health:

• for gastritis and liver diseases, manifested in acute form;
• with the development of peptic ulcer of any part of the gastrointestinal tract and at any stage;
• with weak tooth enamel, which will be actively destroyed by acids;
• in case of allergic manifestations or individual intolerance.

If a person has many chronic diseases, then it is better to consult with your doctor or drink diluted juice in moderation.

The northern berry is well absorbed by the body; it grew in our open spaces and has been consumed by Russian people for many years. This is not an overseas fruit that can cause confusion or indigestion. Cranberries, which inhabit centuries-old swamps, give them power, strength and help them survive in the difficult conditions of the Russian climate.

What can you make from cranberries?

Cranberry juice is very tasty and healthy

Recipe for frozen cranberry juice

Before preparing homemade fruit juice, it is better to prepare all the necessary accessories in advance, select the ingredients, and measure the quantities:

• cranberries/four hundred grams;
• sugar/three tablespoons;
• cold water/one and a half liters.

Step-by-step preparation scheme:

1. Remove the cranberries from the freezer and keep them at room temperature until thawed.
2. Mash the berries and squeeze the juice through cheesecloth.
3. Set aside the juice.
4. Put the water on fire.
5. Add sugar as it boils.
6. Turn off the heat.
7. After five minutes, add the berry pulp.
8. After thirty minutes, pass the mixture through a sieve.
9. Combine the filtrate with berry juice and mix.

Frozen cranberry compote

Before preparing homemade compote, it is better to prepare all the necessary accessories in advance and select the ingredients and measure the quantities:

• cranberries/four hundred grams;
• sugar/one hundred eighty grams;
• cold water/1.8 liters.

Step-by-step preparation scheme:

1. Put the water on fire.
2. Add sugar as it boils.
3. Add frozen cranberries to boiling syrup.
4. Cook for ten minutes.
5. Remove from heat, cool.

Cranberry jelly

Before preparing homemade jelly, it is better to prepare all the necessary accessories in advance and select the ingredients and measure the quantities:

• cranberries/three hundred grams;
• potato starch/two tablespoons;
• sugar/one hundred grams;
• cold water/two and a half liters.

Subtract the volume of liquid required to dissolve the starch from the total volume of water. Step-by-step preparation scheme:

1. Pour the required amount of fresh or frozen berries with cold water.
2. Place the mixture on the fire, and as it boils, cook for two minutes.
3. As it cools, pass through a sieve (to remove berries).
4. Combine the filtrate with sugar and put on fire.
5. Combine starch with a glass of water, stir until dissolved.
6. Slowly pour the starch solution into the cranberry juice.
7. As it boils, remove from heat.
8. Serve the drink cold.

Cranberries in powdered sugar

Before preparing a homemade dish, it is better to prepare all the necessary accessories in advance and select the ingredients, measure the quantities:

• cranberry/one kilogram;
• powdered sugar/one kilogram;
• chicken egg white/two pieces.

Step-by-step preparation scheme:

1. Sort the berries and wash them.
2. Place in a sieve to drain excess liquid.
3. Dry the cranberries so that there is no moisture on them.
4. Place the berries in a saucepan.
5. Fill the cranberries with the egg whites whipped until fluffy.
6. Stir.
7. Place in a sieve.
8. When the whites have drained, roll each berry in powdered sugar.

Cranberry jam

Before preparing homemade jam, it is better to prepare all the necessary accessories in advance, select the ingredients, and measure the quantities:

• cranberry/one kilogram;
• sugar/one and a half kilograms;
• cold water/five hundred milliliters.

Step-by-step preparation scheme:

1. Sort the berries and wash them.
2. Combine berries with water.
3. Put it on fire.
4. As it boils, cook for five minutes.
5. Pass through a sieve.
6. Combine the juice with sugar and bring to a boil.
7. Combine berries with syrup.
8. Leave for two hours to infuse.
9. After two hours, put on fire.
10. Cook for five minutes.
11. Pour into pre-sterilized containers and cover with lids.

After eating berries, it will be useful to rinse your mouth with water.

Use of cranberries in cooking

Cranberries are used in cooking to make desserts, they are added to baked goods, and they are used to prepare sauces for meat and other dishes. Cranberries have found use in the alcohol industry. It is added to vodka to give it a pleasant aroma, and a tincture is made from it.

Cranberry cookies

. To prepare it you will need dried cranberries. The cookies turn out incredibly crispy and tasty. The recipe is for 40 pieces.

Ingredients:

• Dried cranberries – 100 g.
• Oatmeal – 100 g.
• Butter – 200 g.
• Sugar – 75 g,
• Milk – 6 tbsp. l.
• Wheat flour – 300 g.
• Egg yolks – 2 pcs.
• A pinch of salt.

How to cook:

• Mix flour, oatmeal, sugar, milk, yolks, salt, butter and cranberries. Knead the dough until it becomes homogeneous and smooth. Divide it into 2 parts and put it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• The finished dough is cut into thin slices and placed on a baking sheet covered with parchment.
• Bake cookies at 180 degrees for 10 minutes.

Cranberry sauce for meat

. To make the sauce tasty, you need to use fresh cranberries that are dark red in color. Although you can also use frozen berries. Unripe cranberries are not suitable as they will make the sauce bitter. The finished dressing can be stored in the refrigerator in a glass container for 14 days.

Ingredients:

• Cranberries – 150 g.
• Sugar – 2 tbsp. l.
• Drinking water – 3 tbsp. l.
• A pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Cloves – 2 pcs.
• Lemon – 1 pc.
• Orange – 1 pc.

Preparation:

• Place the cranberries in a thick-bottomed pan, add sugar and add water. Bring the berries to a boil and boil for 5 minutes.
• The orange and lemon are washed and dried, the zest is peeled off and the juice is squeezed out. To prepare the recipe you will need 2 teaspoons of lemon and 3 tablespoons of orange juice.
• Add nutmeg, citrus zest, cloves, cinnamon to the cranberry broth and boil for another 5 minutes.
• Americans, when preparing such a sauce, be sure to add a pinch of Jamaican allspice to it.
• Add orange and lemon juice to the sauce and cook for another 5 minutes.
• Remove the dish from the heat, pour into a glass container and cool.
• To thicken the sauce, dilute starch in orange juice and pour it into the finished dish after it has cooled.
• The sauce can be used with pieces of berries, or it can be passed through a sieve.

Dessert Cranberry Orange Bread

. The bread turns out very tasty; it can be used instead of a cake during tea drinking. This confectionery product is liked not only by children, but also by adults. It can be eaten at breakfast, smeared with butter or soft cheese.

Ingredients:

• Brown sugar - 1 cup,
• Flour – 2 cups.
• Butter – 4 tbsp. l.
• Cranberries – 1 cup.
• Baking powder – 6 g.
• Chicken egg – 1 pc.
• Soda – 0.5 tsp.
• Salt – a pinch.
• Milk – 3/4 cup.
• Corn starch – 1 tsp.

Preparation:

• Mix all dry ingredients in a suitable container.
• In another container combine milk, egg, warm butter. Beat the resulting mixture with a whisk.
• Knead the dough, add cranberries sprinkled with starch.
• Grease the baking pan with butter or line it with parchment and fill it with dough. The top of the bread is sprinkled with brown sugar.
• Bake it in the oven for 75 minutes at 180°C.

Harm and contraindications of cranberries

Drinking concentrated marsh grape juice can lead to destruction of tooth enamel, so it is advisable to dilute the squeezed concentrate with water. The use of cranberries in any form is contraindicated in the presence of the following diseases or characteristics:

• individual intolerance;
• weakened tooth enamel;
• gastritis with increased acidity of gastric juice;
• duodenal ulcers;
• impaired functioning of the liver and gall bladder (during exacerbation);
• gout;
• urolithiasis;
• hypotension;
• breastfeeding;
• children less than three years of age;
• overweight or obesity (refers to dried or dried fruit).

If the diseases or features listed are present, the product should be taken only after consultation with a doctor, with extreme caution, and it is better to discard it, replacing it, if possible, with an analogue.

The berry contains a monosaccharide such as fructose, so it is still advisable for diabetics to use it in their diet, but taking into account the daily intake and recommendations of a specialist. Side effects:

• irritation of the gastric mucosa;
• heartburn;
• destruction of tooth enamel.

These accompanying phenomena occur due to the influence of organic acids present in the chemical composition of cranberries.

Eating cranberries

Numerous beneficial properties of cranberries are used by humans to treat and prevent many known diseases.

The benefit of cranberries is that they are a natural antioxidant. That is why doctors consider cranberries, with their low calorie content, to be the most useful component of a healthy diet. The substances contained in cranberries protect the cells of the human body from the harmful effects of those free radicals (simply called pollutants) that surround us every day in the air we breathe. Thus, cranberries help the body cope with the pressure on it from negative environmental factors.

Because cranberries are so low in calories and because they contain natural sugars, they are perfect for diabetics. It is especially necessary to consume this berry for pregnant women and people in a weakened state.

The undoubted benefit of cranberries is their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Thanks to this, the berry is considered a natural antibiotic. Once in the body, it prevents pathogenic bacteria from developing in it.

In addition, cranberries have the ability to stop the formation of blood clots and plaques in blood vessels. That is why cranberries are recommended to be eaten for varicose veins, as it improves the strength and elasticity of the walls of blood vessels and capillaries.

Research by scientists has found that certain properties of cranberries ensure the destruction of microbes that cause cancer and stomach ulcers. In addition, even with gastritis, sour cranberries can be eaten only after heat treatment. Doctors believe that boiled cranberries have a beneficial effect on the health of patients with the following typical diseases that do not accept acidic foods:

• Gastritis with low stomach acidity;
• Inflammation of the pancreas;
• Colitis.

In any form, fresh or boiled, cranberries help the body secrete gastric juice. Therefore, it is recommended to improve appetite and normalize digestion. Thanks to the benefits of cranberries, food is better absorbed by the body. Metabolism improves due to the benefits of cranberries and their calorie content, which is not very high. Therefore, people can consume the berry without restrictions when losing weight.

Some patients claim that kidney stones begin to disappear due to the miraculous properties of cranberries.

Cranberries retain their beneficial properties best in their raw form. So, frozen, soaked in water or ground with sugar, the berry is an irreplaceable source of vitamins for the whole winter.

FAQ

How much should you eat to be healthy?

Within one day you need to eat, depending on the shape of the berry:

• one and a half glasses of fresh cranberries;
• two tablespoons dried (equivalent to thirty grams).

The indicated amounts will not cause harm to health, expressed by side effects, because dried cranberries are higher in calories and are contraindicated in large quantities for those who are overweight.

Can I have cranberries while breastfeeding?

Products colored in red tones are highly discouraged for mothers immediately after childbirth. When the baby is six to eight weeks old, a woman can, only with the permission of the pediatrician, begin with small quantities of drinks made from marsh grapes - fruit drinks.

You should carefully monitor the reactions of the child’s body and, if there are any changes, exclude the product from the diet, because in addition to allergies, digestive disorders are also possible. The maximum amount of fruit drink per day is two liters. After the child turns three months old, the mother can try fresh berries, but even if the baby does not react, she should not consume more than half a glass per day.

Is it possible to store cranberries in the refrigerator for the winter without freezing?

There are two ways to preserve swamp grapes without using freezing conditions:

• packaging in sealed containers;
• urination.

The first option allows you to store fruits unchanged for no more than a month, the second - from six to ten. It is worth choosing a method based on the number of fruits. Over time, despite the fact that the chemical composition of the berries contains powerful preservatives, swamp grapes are still subject to spoilage, and you can only store a small portion of the berries in the refrigerator.

Can green cranberries ripen at home in a warm place or in the refrigerator?

The completely green berry does not ripen, but when it begins to ripen and is placed in a warm, light, ventilated room, it acquires a red tint within one to one and a half weeks. For these purposes, take berries that are white or have a reddish side.

When placed in the refrigerator, the swamp beauty will remain unripe, so you should not store unripe cranberries at low temperatures. The tradition of collecting half-ripe fruits of this crop exists in some European countries - there gardeners bring the fruits to ripeness, leaving them in a room with an air temperature of eighteen to twenty-five degrees. The main condition is low humidity, otherwise most of the crop will begin to rot, despite the presence of natural preservatives in the form of organic acids in the chemical composition of the fruit.

Which cranberries have more vitamins: frozen or soaked?

One of the advantages of swamp grapes in comparison with other crops is the versatility of storage due to the high content of natural preservatives - organic acids. Manufacturers artificially enrich other products with compounds of this series in order to increase shelf life.

Freezing allows you to keep the berries unchanged without destroying valuable substances for a whole year, soaking – for nine months. In the second case, water partially absorbs the taste and nutrients of the berry. Thus, when comparing soaking and freezing in terms of the amount of preserved vitamin compounds, the first option wins.

Can you be allergic to cranberries?

If products are divided into the first, second and third stages of allergenicity, then cranberry will occupy the golden mean - the honorable second stage. The berry is not common, but still causes allergic reactions in adults and children. Accustoming young consumers to marsh grapes should be done very carefully and gradually. As a rule, predisposition is expressed by the following factors:

• hereditary;
• maternal abuse of cranberries during pregnancy;
• too early artificial feeding;
• tendency to allergies.

For these reasons, it is better not to rush into introducing berries into the diet, despite its benefits, because some sources have data that in children under three years of age, cranberries can cause disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract and, as a result, gastritis.

How is an allergy expressed?

• itching;
• redness;
• rash.

Most often, red spots appear in the face area; this occurs within the first hour after consuming the product. Additional, accompanying manifestations of allergies:

• sneezing;
• runny nose;
• cough;
• dyspnea;
• labored breathing;
• swelling (the larynx often swells).

If there is individual intolerance, symptoms that appear should be treated under the supervision of a doctor.

Harvesting cranberries - how and where they grow

Translated from Latin, the name means “sour berry.” Creeping shrub requires enough light and moisture. It grows in the Northern Hemisphere, mainly in swamps where the soil is damp.

A mushroom lives on the roots. Root cells and mycelium form a symbiosis - with the help of fungal threads, the shrub receives useful substances.

It blooms in June and is harvested from mid-September. Sometimes in the spring, but they are low in vitamin C, although they taste sweeter than the autumn ones.

If you pick cranberries early - in early September - they will ripen and turn red. But it contains fewer beneficial properties, vitamins, minerals, and organic acids. Unripe crops spoil faster.

In addition, an inexperienced picker may not be able to distinguish unripe berries from flower stalks and cause irreparable damage to the plant.

Reviews

According to data from various sites, cranberries are recommended by 100% of satisfied customers. The purposes of use vary widely: from the treatment of cystitis to weight loss. In both cases, everyone who used cranberries was satisfied with the results obtained, which indicates the undoubted health benefits of the berry. The product rating is 5.0 out of 5.0 possible.

Irina, 31 years old

For the past three years I have been regularly drinking cranberry juice at night with short breaks. The drink helped in the fight against cystitis and eliminates swelling. I recommend.

Marianna, 25 years old

During pregnancy, using cranberry juice helped to quickly and permanently get rid of swelling. After giving birth, I didn’t stop drinking the drink, as I noticed that it was also effective in fighting viral and colds during vitamin deficiency. Of course, I don’t limit myself to cranberry juice for colds—I also use other traditional medicine—but I don’t take medicine either. I recommend it for purchase and use.

Yuri, 34 years old

Four years ago, after surgery, I noticed that I began to get sick often. At that time, significant sums were spent on treating a persistent cough and, along with it, a runny nose. A friend recommended cranberry juice as a powerful remedy for increasing the body’s ability to resist colds and infectious diseases. I’ll be honest, I didn’t have high hopes, but as a result, I started getting sick less often, so I recommend cranberries for purchase and consumption.

Raisa, 78 years old

I don’t know a better cure for illnesses than a drink made from cranberries - fruit juice - it helps both not to catch a cold, and even when you’ve already caught a cold. I've been drinking all my life and don't spend money on pills, so I recommend it.

Information summary

Content:

• Information summary
• Useful elements
• Natural healer
• Traditional medicine and modern pharmaceuticals
• Procurement rules

From a biological point of view, this plant is classified as an evergreen. The shrub has low but thin shoots, the length of which rarely exceeds 30 centimeters.

Ripe fruits have a bright red color and a spherical shape. There are no strict parameters for determining the size of berries, but with the development of selection, scientists were able to develop varieties with two-centimeter indicators.

The plant blooms at the beginning of summer, and picking berries for the winter begins in early autumn until November. If we are talking about farms, then ripening is recorded a couple of weeks earlier than in the wild. When fresh, under favorable conditions, the berry will easily survive until spring.

Recipes for its preparation can be collected in a separate book, since it is absolutely not necessary to eat the berry itself, especially since without sugar many children will not even want to try it. But everyone will like various jams with added sweeteners.

Home canning is not limited solely to stocks of berry-based sweets. If you wish, you can dry a few kilograms or try urinating for a change. The fermented product goes well with cabbage, acting as an almost bottomless storehouse of vitamin C, which counteracts winter flu outbreaks.

Juice squeezed from cranberries is also beneficial. It is used for cooking jelly, jelly, kvass, cocktails or fruit drinks. And if you want to create an original marinade for poultry or shish kebab at home, you will hardly be able to do without the red helper.

The options for preparing various alcoholic drinks based on it deserve special attention. Moreover, such a tincture does not always have exclusively culinary implications. Traditional medicine offers many alcohol-based remedies with cranberries to help the body with various diseases.

A common place for cranberries to grow is considered to be marshy areas in the forest area. It is especially abundant in the tundra, within sedge-sphagnum and moss bogs. In Karelia alone there are about two dozen berry varieties.

But how many other varieties are there that are found in different regions of the Russian Federation, Ukraine, northern America and Canada.

Conclusion

1. Cranberries contain organic acids, which act as both preservatives and antiseptics, so the berry is effective against colds and infections and can be stored for a long time.
2. Frozen or soaked berries retain their fresh properties for many months.
3. The use of cranberries for some diseases should be treated very carefully, and it is better to refuse.
4. Cranberry is useful for both internal and external use - there are recipes for combating various imperfections of the facial epidermis.
5. The berry can cause allergic reactions, so it is not recommended for use by nursing mothers and children under three years of age.

Dried frozen cranberries which is healthier

Due to the high content of organic acids, cranberries are perfectly stored. Just put it in jars and add a little sweetened water. This is the so-called pickled cranberry, which does not spoil for a long time.

Freezing also perfectly preserves all the taste and beneficial qualities of red fruits. The benefits and harms of frozen cranberries are exactly the same as fresh ones. Northern berries are dried in modern dryers or ovens, slightly wilting or completely removing moisture from the berries.

Which product is healthier: fresh or dried? After any treatment carried out correctly, the berry retains its healing properties. The only downside is the dried product, as it becomes quite high in calories. But first place in the ranking should be given to frozen fruits, which perfectly preserve the appearance and internal potential of a vitamin-rich product.

During drying, the oven doors should be slightly open to allow excess moisture to evaporate, and the temperature should be +40C. The dried product springs back when pressed and does not crumble into dust.

Cranberry for colds

How to get rid of a cold with cranberries

Cranberry for colds, sore throats and coughs is the most irreplaceable and useful remedy . This berry replenishes the reserves of vitamins that the body loses during illness, since drinking plenty of fluids is always recommended for colds. Eating cranberries improves immunity and increases the body's defenses.

Cranberry juice has a tonic and antipyretic effect. For mild cases of the disease, consuming cranberries and drinks made from them can lead to recovery without taking medications. When antibiotics and sulfonamides cannot be avoided, cranberries only enhance the effect of these drugs.

Other types of fruit drinks

We figured everything out with cranberries, but what about other types of fruit drinks? There are several dozen of them.

“It’s impossible to name the most useful among fruit drinks,” says Vadim Krylov

, - because there is no berry that would have a magical effect on the body. A set of measures is always required to improve health. Much also depends on the disease a person has. Thus, blackcurrant juice contains the most vitamin C (200 mg per 100 g of product), while cranberries and lingonberries contain antibacterial substances. In blueberries you can find the maximum amount of anthocyanins (natural dyes), which fight free radicals, therefore, when consumed regularly in sufficient quantities, the berry helps strengthen the retina and normalize intraocular pressure.

Chokeberry berries are rich in potassium, which displaces sodium, that is, salt. Therefore, chokeberry can reduce swelling and lower blood pressure. Sea buckthorn is a source of saturated fatty acids and carotene, which help normalize metabolism. Thanks to the pectin substances contained in the berry, it also reduces cholesterol levels.

What kind of berry is this? Plant characteristics

cranberries are scattered like beads on the swamp hummocks

Where do cranberries grow? Where to find thickets

The plant lives in northern latitudes; it is a close relative of blueberries, blueberries, and lingonberries. Almost everyone knows where the cranberry grows: it is an inhabitant of swamps - peat, tundra, sphang, located in ecologically clean coniferous forests and lowlands. Cranberry thickets can be found in the Urals, Siberia, Sakhalin, Kamchatka and the Far East.

Botanical description

What cranberries look like: the berry bush has a small height and creeping shoots. The root is taproot with a large number of adventitious shoots. The stem is thread-like, capable of widespread rooting. Cranberry leaves are ovate-oblong with entire edges, small, arranged alternately.

The top of the leaf is dark green, the bottom is almost white with a thick layer of waxy coating. The berries are formed in the second year of life, have an ellipsoid or round shape, and when ripe they acquire a red-burgundy color.

Healing composition of fruits and nutritional value

The chemical composition of cranberries is extremely diverse; the berry contains:

• Vitamins A, groups B, K, PP;
• Minerals (potassium, sodium, copper, magnesium, iron, manganese, iodine, molybdenum, zinc, boron, silver, chromium, nickel, cobalt, titanium and other elements);
• Organic acids (malic, citric, ursulic, benzoic, chlorogenic, etc.);
• Sugars are represented by fructose and glucose;
• Antioxidants;
• Fiber, dietary fiber, pectin.

Cranberry fruits have a low calorie content: per 100 grams. product – 30 Kcal, incl.

• up to 0.5 gr. proteins;
• up to 0.2 gr. fats;
• up to 3.7 gr. carbohydrates.

Cranberries are harvested in the fall; unripe berries ripen during storage.

Preparation of medicinal raw materials

The berries are collected by hand; collection containers are prohibited by environmentalists, since the device harms the plant and the bush plantations are gradually decreasing. The organic acids contained in the berries help them to preserve well; these properties of cranberries are used in cooking and preservation. You can simply put the berries in jars, add sweet water and put them in a cool place; such berries are called pickled berries; they can be stored for a long time. Fresh cranberries are also dried, dried and frozen.

To freeze, the berries are washed, dried on a dry towel, laid in a thin layer and placed in the freezer. Then the frozen berries are placed in bags or containers; in this form, the cranberries retain their beneficial and taste qualities well.

Dry the cranberries naturally in the open air, in an oven or in an electric dryer at a temperature not exceeding 50 degrees, keeping the doors ajar to remove moisture. Dried berries have the same beneficial properties and contraindications as fresh ones. However, the nutritional value is much higher: 100 g. product contains 300 kcal. Therefore, such cranberries are not suitable for weight loss and this should be taken into account when creating a diet.

dried cranberries are used in cooking to enrich dishes with vitamins and add a piquant taste

Dried cranberries are prepared according to the following recipe:

• fresh cranberries boiled in sugar syrup: per 1 kg. berries - a glass of water and 2 glasses of sugar;
• drain the water through a colander;
• the berries are laid out in a thin layer on a baking sheet with parchment;
• dry in the oven at a temperature not exceeding 50 degrees;
• After a couple of hours, the paper is replaced with dry paper, and drying continues for 5-6 hours.

Cranberries for children, from what age?

1. If a baby is fed breast milk, then cranberries can be consumed from 8 months, after he has tried cereals and vegetables.

2. When formula is used to feed a baby, cranberries are included in the baby’s menu a month earlier.

3. But cranberry syrups and fresh berries can be fed after 3 years. For the first intake of sour berries, half a dessert spoon of cranberry puree or fruit juice is enough.

Vitamin C content

Many people are interested in how much vitamin C the berry contains. Its content is so high that in terms of its properties, cranberries are equated to fruits from the citrus family. Due to the amount of vitamin C and other nutrients in cranberries, the berry is one of the most important medicines for colds and flu. By drinking up to two glasses of cranberry juice a day, a person receives the daily requirement of ascorbic acid in the body, which allows him to be more resilient in stressful situations, replenish energy reserves, and also keeps him in good shape.