Cranberries, are tiny sour red fruits that must be cooked before consuming. In addition to aiding the respiratory system, they kill bacteria and viruses in the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract. Cranberries contain a unique phytonutrient especially beneficial to the urinary tract, are a natural cleanser for the kidneys, and are important in the prevention and relief of the symptoms of urinary tract infection (especially in elderly people).
Bacterial Anti-adhesion Properties
Cranberries are good at keeping bacteria from sticking to the wall of the bladder, suggesting that cranberries are effective for prevention of urinary tract infections. There is also in vitro evidence that cranberry phytonutrients may prevent H. pylori bacteria, an ulcer-causing bacterium, from adhering to stomach walls.
Nutrients and Calories
Calories: 46Kcal
Water: 87%
Protein: 0.4 grams
Carbs: 12.2 grams
Sugar: 4 grams
Fiber: 4.6 grams
Fat: 0.1 grams
Tips and Notes
Fresh cranberries can be used also as a tisane, in combination with other fruits in the compote, in smoothies and salad dressings.
Cancer Growth Suppression
Cranberries are high in antioxidants. The ruby red phytonutrients in cranberries are powerful antioxidants, increasing the antioxidant capacity of our bloodstream within hours of consumption. In addition to suppressing liver cancer growth in vitro, cranberries have also been found to have similar effects against human breast, colon, brain tumor, oral, and ovarian cancer cells. We only absorb a small fraction of the cranberry phytonutrients we eat into our bloodstream, but this may not matter since cranberries caused a dramatic drop in cancer proliferation at just tiny doses.