Cranberries – Not Just for Turkey

I never thought I would like cranberries; I thought of them only in the context of the traditional Thanksgiving garnish. But several years ago I had problems with cystitis, a very annoying infection that makes you feel like to have to pee every five minutes. I was told that drinking cranberry juice would help. Guess what: it’s true. In about a week, the infection cleared up.

There are three or four different species of cranberries, based on their geographical location. They grow on low lying shrubs, and the berries start out white, and turn red as they ripen. They are naturally tart, so when used in juices, they are sweetened with other juices to make a cranberry juice cocktail.

According to Wikipedia, there are many health benefits associated with cranberries:

Cranberries are a source of polyphenol antioxidants, chemicals which are known to provide certain health benefits to the cardiovascular system and immune system.

There is some use of cranberry juice by people with spinal paralysis; regular consumption of the juice is supposed to reduce the rate of urinary tract infections. While much of the evidence is equivocal, a number of double-blind clinical trials have been carried out that suggest there actually is an effect: a component of the juice appears to competitively inhibit bacterial attachment to the bladder and urethra allowing the bacteria to be flushed out more easily. Cranberries also act as a prebiotic, promoting the growth of beneficial lactobacillus bacteria while inhibiting the growth of harmful E. coli and listeria.

An autumn 2004 caution from the Committee on Safety of Medicines, the UK agency dealing with drug safety, advised patients taking warfarin not to drink cranberry juice after adverse effects were reported.

Cranberries also contain significant concentrations of benzoic acid, which in combination with Vitamin C forms small amounts of the group 1 carcinogen benzene.

Cranberry juice contains a chemical component, a high molecular weight non-dializable material (NDM), that is able to inhibit and even reverse the formation of plaque by Streptococcus mutan pathogens that cause tooth decay.

Cranberry juice also, supposedly prevents the formation of kidney stones.

Cranberries exhibit a level of tannins, in addition to antioxidants. Tannins have anti-clotting properties, and the amount of dental plaque-causing bacteria in the mouth, thus being a prophylaxis for gingivitis.

Today, cranberries can be found in trail mix, muffins, breads, etc. I have found that dried cranberries are very tasty, and I really enjoy them in trail mix. If you haven’t tried cranberry juice or cranberries period, take the time to try them. You will be surprised.