Properties of cranberries

The chemical properties of cranberries are quite diverse, which explains its healing effect in many diseases.

The chemical composition of cranberries can be attributed to truly unique products. It combines the properties of a medicine, a valuable vitamin complex and an excellent food product.

If you take the practical features of the berries, then in the cranberry are appreciated, above all, sugars and organic acids, pectin substances and vitamins found in it.

The richness of the composition of the fruits of cranberries is determined by the vitamins contained in it. In it, vitamins B, vitamin K and, especially, a large amount of vitamin C are found. We recommend to read a little more about these substances in cranberries in the corresponding section below.

The northern berry differs and a wide range of organic acids, for example, citric, benzoic, cinnamon, apple, ursol, chlorogenic, oleanolic, gamma-hydroxy-alpha-ketobutyric and alpha-ketoglutaric. By the amount contained in berries, citric acid leads, and then all the others go. There is a fairly small amount of oxalic and succinic acids in the cranberry, which does not particularly affect its medicinal properties.

To sugars, which can "boast" cranberries, are, in the first place, glucose and fructose. In smaller quantities, red fruits contain sucrose.

Polysaccharide substances (a group of complex high-molecular carbohydrates) are presented in cranberry in the form of pectins (physiologically active substances having useful properties for the human body, for example, as enterosorbents - substances that bind and remove various toxins from the gastrointestinal tract).

Other substances that are also useful for the human body are represented in cranberries in the form of betaine and bioflavonoids - anthocyanins, leucoanthocyanins, catechins, flavonoids, phenolic acids.

The composition of mineral substances, which is found in the fruits of cranberries, recalls the richness and variety of the periodic table (in the good sense of the word). Probably, it's easier to say which minerals are not found in it, than to give a long list of micro- and macro elements useful to humans.

So, what mineral substances are part of the cranberry and determine its healing properties? First of all, they are potassium and phosphorus, calcium and iron, manganese and molybdenum, and also copper. There is also a certain amount of iodine, magnesium, sodium, boron, silver, barium, cobalt, nickel, tin, lead, titanium, zinc, chromium and aluminum in cranberries.

Cranberry is distinguished by the presence of nitrogenous and tannic substances, as well as coloring components. Also present in fruits are berries and phytoncides.

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Caloric content of cranberries

Cranberries are low calorie foods. In some sources, the calorie content of cranberries per hundred grams of weight is measured by twenty-six kilocalories, in others - by twenty-eight.

But this discrepancy in opinions does not affect the fact that cranberries do not allow to gain its "eater" extra pounds, but on the contrary contributes to the regulation of metabolic processes and excess weight.

If you pay attention to how much and what is contained in a hundred grams of cranberries, then we get the following result. There are not a lot of water, not a few, but as many as ninety grams. Fiber is represented by two grams of substance, ash - 0.3 grams. Mono and disaccharides were found in the amount of 3.6 grams, fats - 1.36 grams, carbohydrates - 6.5 grams, and proteins - 0.07 grams.

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Caloric content of dried cranberries

Caloric content of dried cranberries, of course, is different from the caloric content of fresh berries. And quite significantly, several times. But it is worth noting that this does not in any way affect the useful qualities of the product.

So, the caloric content of dried cranberries is three hundred - three hundred and eight kilocalories per hundred grams of berries. At the same time, the antioxidant qualities of berries, as well as its bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties, remain unchanged. As for the concentration of nutrients, in dried cranberries there will be much more per unit of product.

Useful properties of cranberries

Cranberries are extremely valuable for human health. For example, the beneficial properties of cranberries are manifested in the ability of this food to maintain human immunity in difficult climatic conditions. Confronting a person with infectious diseases is possible due to the presence of a large amount of tannin, as well as vitamins. At the same time, a high concentration of tannin enhances the effectiveness of drugs that are used to treat infectious diseases.

If you touch the pectins that are found in cranberries, then these substances are able to prevent the multiplication of pathogens. In addition, pectins are distinguished by the ability to remove from the human body salts of heavy metals and unnecessary, excess cholesterol.

In view of the foregoing, cranberries are considered an incredibly useful product that enhances a person's immune qualities, as well as his vitality, mental and physical performance. In this case, the fruits of the plant have the ability to improve the appetite and secretion of the pancreas. Cranberry helps in the prevention of kidney stones, because it has a strong diuretic effect.

Another feature of the cranberry is the ability of the berries to strengthen the walls of the vessels and regulate the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Cranberries have a high content of antioxidants, which remove "bad" cholesterol from the body. Antioxidants contribute to inhibiting the aging of the body, which is very valuable for the female sex.

In addition, the substances contained in cranberries have anti-inflammatory properties, which is good for treating colds and other diseases with inflammatory nature.

The northern berry and anticancer qualities differ, which makes its properties very valuable at the present time of massive growth of oncological diseases.

Drinks from cranberries are also extremely useful. For example, cranberry juice promotes good thirst quenching, as well as a decrease in fever for colds and flu.

Alternative medicine, too, attributes the ability of cranberry to be an antidote in cases of poisoning by poisonous plants. Also, with alcoholic intoxication and food poisoning, cranberries come to the rescue, removing the consequences of these negative processes.

What is more useful than cranberries or cranberries?

These medicinal berries have similar properties and, naturally, differences. Let's start with the fact that cranberries and cowberries belong to the same family of heather. And grow in the northern latitudes of our planet. Each of these berries has a small size, a round shape and a red color. They like to collect as a use in house preparations for the winter, and as well as a medicinal drug against all ailments.

The chemical composition of berries is approximately similar, which affects their similar properties in the treatment of various diseases. In each of these berries there is benzoic acid, which acts as a natural antiseptic and helps to cope with many infectious diseases. Also, the presence of this acid allows you to store berries for a long time, without any heat treatment, until the next harvest.

Distinct berry taste, size and place of growth.

Cranberry likes to "settle" near swamps and rivers, on mossy areas of the soil. Cowberry - the inhabitant of coniferous and mixed forests; tastier is considered a berry from the coniferous forest. Visually, cranberries can be confused with cowberry. Although cowberry is smaller than its "girlfriend" in size, it has more density, and the fruit is slightly flattened on both sides. Cranberries are also more large in size and glossy "coating" from the outside.

Cranberry is characterized by a pleasant sour taste, and cranberries are more sweet. In cranberries there are approximately 3.4 percent of different acids, and sugars - six percent. Cowberry has a lower acid content - two percent, and sugars - 8.7 percent. Due to the higher sugar content, lingonberry is considered to be a more caloric product than cranberries: it has forty-six kilocalories.

The chemical composition of cranberries was discussed in detail earlier. Cranberries are not inferior to cranberries in the richness of the content of useful substances. From the vitamins of cowberry it can "boast" vitamins A, C, group B, E. Mineral composition is distinguished by the presence of potassium and calcium, phosphorus and sodium, magnesium and manganese, as well as iron. Acids in the berry are represented by benzoic, tartaric, salicylic, ursolic and others. In cowberries there is a sufficient amount of pectin and tannins, catechins.

Due to its excellent chemical composition, the cranberry berry has the following properties:

• antiscorbutic, due to the high content of vitamin C;
• antiviral, antimicrobial and antipyretic, which can be successfully used for cold and infectious diseases, as well as to reduce the high temperature;
• diuretics that cope with the formation of kidney stones, as well as with problems and infections of the bladder and kidneys;
• antioxidant, which strengthen the walls of blood vessels and cell membranes, removes various toxins and free radicals from the body; which has a restorative, rejuvenating effect, and also improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• antihypertensive - help to reduce pressure and normalize the activity of the heart and blood vessels;
• antirheumatic, which successfully cope with the treatment of all kinds of rheumatism and related diseases;
• choleretic and hepatoprotective, which improves the activity and structure of the gallbladder and liver, contributes to the removal of excess cholesterol from the body;
• improving metabolism, which helps to cope with metabolic diseases, for example, with diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis in remission;
• neutralizing the effect of toxins, for example, with alcoholic hangovers;
• regulating the production of gastric juice with reduced acidity.

The only warning to fans of using cranberries for medicinal purposes is that this berry is capable of absorbing radioactive substances. Therefore, do not even pay attention to the red berry, growing next to the factories, large and small roads, cemeteries. It will not be a joke to mention that buying or collecting cranberries needs to have a dosimeter at hand, since instead of a useful effect from "eating" you can significantly damage your body.

So, the time has come to find out, and what is more useful, cranberries or lingonberries? If you do not go into some details, then cranberries and lingonberries have about the same value for the body. There are, of course, differences in the qualities of berries. For example, cranberries have a lenient effect and, as a result, successfully fights with constipation. Therefore, the choice remains for the reader, which berries to choose for home preparations and the manufacture of medicinal potions.

Than to replace a cranberry?

So, if you need to use cranberries, and it is not at hand right now, you can take other berries instead. For medicinal purposes, experts advise using cowberry. It is necessary to carefully read the list of indications and contraindications to the use of this berry. It will not be superfluous to consult with specialists - doctors and nutritionists.

The question "what to replace the cranberry?" Sometimes discourages the housewives if they wish to cook or bake some "goodness". In the recipes of some simple pies, cranberry is indicated as the filling. Careful moms and wives want to indulge their homemade with an unusual dessert, but berries are just, and not at hand. What to do in this case? You can use cranberries instead of cranberries, red currants and cherries, that is, berries that have sour taste.

Vitamins in the cranberry

As it was said before, cranberries have a powerful vitamin composition, which allows using this berry to strengthen immunity and other medicinal purposes.

So, what can a red round sour berry, inhabitant of the northern latitudes, please us? First of all, the richest stocks of vitamin C. Its content in cranberries is equal in quantity to such first-borns in storage of this vitamin, like lemons, grapefruits, oranges, garden strawberries.

Secondly, the fruits of the cranberry contain a sufficient number of B vitamins: vitamins B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid) and PP (nicotinic acid or vitamin B3 ).

Thirdly, quite rare and valuable vitamin K (phylloquinone) is found in cranberries in such quantities as to compete with cabbage and strawberries - one of the recognized leaders in the content of this substance.

Fourthly, there is vitamin A in the cranberry. True, in this case the berry can not compete with food leaders in the content of this vitamin.

Well, and of course, do not forget about vitamin E, which also affects the healing properties of the northern berries and is contained in it in acceptable quantities.

Therefore, vitamins in cranberries are useful substances that support the human body, especially during the season change (in the autumn-spring period). It is also necessary to remember about cranberries and winter cold, when a person needs a powerful vitamin boost to resist all sorts of viruses and infections.

Therapeutic properties of cranberries

Cranberry is a mini-pharmacy created by nature. The healing properties of cranberries are manifested in the ability of berries to help in healing from the following ailments. These include:

• colds;
• bronchitis and pneumonia;
• various gynecological diseases;
• diseases of the genitourinary sphere;
• kidney disease;
• gastritis with low acidity;
• colitis;
• pancreatitis;
• violations of metabolic processes in humans, for example, obesity.

Cranberries are good as a remedy not only in the form of fresh berries, but also as medicinal drinks. These include fruit, juice and infusions (best of all with honey). They can improve the condition with the following diseases:

• hypertonic disease;
• malaria;
• anemia;
• rheumatism;
• tonsillitis;
• atherosclerosis;
• vascular spasms;
• headache;
• dropsy.

In some cases, cranberries are so effective that the disease recedes due to the systematic and correct use of a useful berry.