Table of contents:
- Benefits of cranberries for health
- 1. Potential to cure urinary tract infections
- 2. Potential to maintain heart health
- 3. Potential to reduce the risk of stomach cancer
- However, pay attention to this….
Cranberries are a type of red berry with varying sizes, such as grapes. This fruit, which is often mixed into cakes or made juice, is not only delicious, but also healthy. What are the benefits of cranberries? Come on, find out the answer below.
Benefits of cranberries for health
Cranberries thrive in mainland America. These plants include vines such as strawberries that grow on layered soils, namely sandy, peat, gravel, and watery at the bottom, like marshes.
Unfortunately, this fruit is quite difficult to find in Indonesia. You may find them packaged, dried, or processed into other preparations.
Even so, the public's enthusiasm for this fruit is quite high. The reason is, this fruit contains many nutrients, such as protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, as well as antioxidants that are beneficial for health.
To be clearer, let's discuss one by one the health benefits of cranberries.
1. Potential to cure urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract that causes anyang-anyangan, cloudy and smelly urine, and the presence of pus or blood in the urine. This condition is very common in women and is usually treated with antibiotics.
Apart from doctor's treatment, cranberries are also known as a remedy for UTIs, especially for patients who experience recurrent infections. Cranberries are known to contain proanthocyanidins, which are antioxidants that can stop the growth of certain bacteria on the walls of the urinary tract.
Dr. Timothy Boone, PhD, from Texas A&M College of Medicine in Houston mentions that cranberries for UTIs should have high levels of proanthocyanidins. Most likely the healing effect is in cranberry supplements.
Meanwhile, in juices, the content of proanthocyanidins tends to be lower. This happens because the manufacturing process, the condition of the fruit, and the storage of the fruit can affect nutrition.
However, cranberry juice still provides benefits to UTI patients to increase body fluid intake so that it is possible to carry bacteria with urine.
2. Potential to maintain heart health
Cranberries are known to contain polyphenol compounds, quercetin, and anthocyanins that can improve endothelial function. The endothelium is the cell that lines the circulatory system, from the heart to the capillaries.
Benefits of cranberries on the heart This is proven by research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
In that study, researchers looked at the effects of cranberry juice in coronary heart patients. The patient is asked to drink the juice for 4 weeks. After 12 hours of the last juice drunk, researchers found that the pulse wave velocity in the side of the neck and groin as well as the size of the stiffness of the aorta (the largest artery in the heart) decreased.
The speed of the pulse waves is a benchmark for finding out how healthy the heart is functioning. Meanwhile reduced stiffness in the aorta could indicate a drop in blood pressure.
3. Potential to reduce the risk of stomach cancer
Apart from the heart, the antioxidant content in cranberries also benefits the body's cells, which reduces the risk of stomach cancer. Stomach cancer occurs due to the presence of abnormal cells in the stomach.
A study from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that the polyphenol content in cranberries can suppress bacterial growth Helicobacter pylori.These bacteria are known to cause infection and injury to the lining of the stomach and intestines.
When the growth of these bacteria decreases, the digestive system will be healthier and reduce the risk of stomach cancer in the future.
However, pay attention to this….
Healthy foods will provide benefits if consumed properly, including these red berries.
Even if they are healthy, you need to limit your consumption of cranberries. The reason is, eating too many cranberries which have a sour taste can make you upset stomach or diarrhea.
In some people, excessive consumption of cranberries can increase the risk of kidney stones. Cranberry fruit, especially its extract, is known to contain high oxalates. High levels of oxalate are what can precipitate and form rocks in the kidneys.
If you have experienced, are at risk, or are sick with kidney stones, you should consult beforehand if you want to eat cranberries as your daily fruit.
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