Properties of cranberries

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

In terms of chemical composition, cranberries can be classified as truly unique products. They combine the properties of a medicine, a valuable vitamin complex, and an excellent food product.

If we take the practical features of the berry, then what is valued in cranberries is, first of all, the sugars and organic acids, pectin substances and vitamins found in it.

The richness of the composition of cranberry fruits is determined by the vitamins it contains. It contains vitamins of group B, vitamin K and, especially, a large amount of vitamin C. We recommend reading a little more about these substances in cranberries below in the relevant section.

The northern berry is also distinguished by a wide range of organic acids, such as citric, benzoic, quinic, malic, ursolic, chlorogenic, oleanolic, gamma-hydroxy-alpha-ketobutyric and alpha-ketoglutaric. Citric acid is the leader in terms of quantity contained in berries, followed by all the others. Cranberries contain a fairly small amount of oxalic and succinic acids, which does not particularly affect their medicinal properties.

The sugars that cranberries can "boast" of are, first of all, glucose and fructose. Red fruits contain sucrose in smaller quantities.

Polysaccharide substances (a group of complex high-molecular carbohydrates) are present in cranberries in the form of pectins (physiologically active substances that have beneficial 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 beneficial for the human body are present in cranberries in the form of betaine and bioflavonoids – anthocyanins, leucoanthocyanins, catechins, flavonoids, phenolic acids.

The composition of minerals found in cranberries is reminiscent of the periodic table (in the good sense of the word) in its richness and diversity. It is probably easier to say what minerals are not found in it than to provide a long list of micro- and macroelements useful for humans.

So, what minerals are included in cranberries and determine their healing properties? First of all, these are potassium and phosphorus, calcium and iron, manganese and molybdenum, as well as copper. Cranberries also contain a certain amount of iodine, magnesium, sodium, boron, silver, barium, cobalt, nickel, tin, lead, titanium, zinc, chromium and aluminum.

Cranberries are also distinguished by the presence of nitrogenous and tannins, as well as coloring components. Berries and phytoncides are also present in the fruits.

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Caloric content of cranberries

Cranberries are low-calorie foods. Some sources measure the calorie content of cranberries per hundred grams of weight at twenty-six kilocalories, while others say twenty-eight.

But such a difference of opinion does not affect the fact that cranberries do not allow their “eater” to gain extra pounds, but on the contrary, they help regulate metabolic processes and excess weight.

If we pay attention to how much and what is contained in one hundred grams of cranberries, we will get the following result. There is neither more nor less than ninety grams of water. Fiber is represented by two grams of the substance, ash - 0.3 grams. Mono- and disaccharides are 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

The caloric content of dried cranberries, of course, differs from the caloric content of fresh berries. And quite significantly, several times. But it is worth noting that this in no way affects the useful qualities of the product.

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

Useful properties of cranberries

Cranberries have exceptionally valuable qualities for human health. For example, the beneficial properties of cranberries are manifested in the ability of this food product to support human immunity in difficult climatic conditions. Human resistance to 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 we touch upon pectins, which are present in cranberries, these substances are capable of preventing the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, pectins have the ability to remove heavy metal salts and unnecessary, excess cholesterol from the human body.

Due to all of the above, cranberries are considered an incredibly useful product that increases a person's immune qualities, as well as their vitality, mental and physical performance. At the same time, the fruits of the plant have the ability to improve appetite and pancreatic secretion. Cranberries help prevent kidney stones, as they have a strong diuretic effect.

Another feature of cranberries is the berry’s ability to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and regulate the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Cranberries have a high content of antioxidants, which remove "bad" cholesterol from the body. Antioxidants help slow down the aging process of the body, which is very valuable for women.

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

The northern berry also has anti-cancer qualities, which makes its properties very valuable in the current time of massive growth of oncological diseases.

Cranberry drinks are also extremely healthy. For example, cranberry juice helps quench thirst well and also reduces high temperatures during colds and flu.

Traditional medicine also attributes to cranberries the ability to be an antidote in cases of poisoning by poisonous plants. Also, in cases of alcohol intoxication and food poisoning, cranberries come to the rescue, removing the consequences of these negative processes.

Which is healthier, cranberries or lingonberries?

These healing berries have similar properties and, naturally, differences. Let's start with the fact that cranberries and lingonberries belong to the same heather family. And they grow in the northern latitudes of our planet. Each of these berries is small in size, round in shape and red in color. They are loved to be collected for use in home preparations for the winter, as well as a healing potion against all sorts of ailments.

The chemical composition of the berries is approximately similar, which affects their similar properties in the treatment of various diseases. Each of these berries contains 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.

The berries differ in taste, size and place of growth.

Cranberries like to "settle" near swamps and rivers, on mossy areas of the soil. Lingonberries are an inhabitant of coniferous and mixed forests; the berry from a coniferous forest is considered tastier. Visually, cranberries can be confused with lingonberries. Although lingonberries are smaller than their "friend" in size, they have a greater density, and the fruit is slightly flattened on both sides. Cranberries are larger in size and have a glossy "coating" on the outside.

Cranberries are characterized by a pleasant sour taste, while lingonberries are sweeter. Cranberries contain approximately 3.4 percent of various acids and six percent of sugars. Lingonberries have a lower acid content – two percent, and 8.7 percent of sugars. Due to the higher sugar content, lingonberries are considered a more caloric product than cranberries: they have forty-six kilocalories.

The chemical composition of cranberries was discussed in detail earlier. Lingonberries are not inferior to cranberries in the richness of their content of useful substances. Of the vitamins, lingonberries can "boast" of vitamins A, C, group B, E. The mineral composition is distinguished by the presence of potassium and calcium, phosphorus and sodium, magnesium and manganese, as well as iron. The acids in the berry are represented by benzoic, tartaric, salicylic, ursolic and others. Lingonberries have a sufficient amount of pectin and tannins, catechins.

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

• antiscorbutic, due to the high content of vitamin C;
• antiviral, antimicrobial and antipyretic, which can be successfully used for colds and infectious diseases, as well as to reduce high temperatures;
• diuretics, which help with the formation of kidney stones, as well as problems and infections of the bladder and kidneys;
• antioxidants, which strengthen the walls of blood vessels and cell membranes, remove various toxins and free radicals from the body; which has a general strengthening, rejuvenating effect, and also improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• antihypertensive – help reduce blood pressure and normalize the activity of the heart and blood vessels;
• antirheumatic, which successfully cope with the treatment of all types of rheumatism and associated diseases;
• choleretic and hepatoprotective, which improves the activity and structure of the gallbladder and liver, and helps remove excess cholesterol from the body;
• improving metabolism, which helps to cope with metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and pancreatitis in the remission stage;
• neutralizing the effects of toxins, for example, during an alcohol hangover;
• regulating the production of gastric juice in cases of low acidity.

The only warning for those who like to use lingonberries for medicinal purposes is that this berry is capable of absorbing radioactive substances. Therefore, you should not even pay attention to the red berry growing near factories, large and small roads, burial grounds. It is no joke to mention that when buying or picking lingonberries, you need to have a dosimeter at hand, since instead of the beneficial effect of "eating" you can significantly harm your body.

So, it's time to find out what is healthier, cranberries or lingonberries? Without going into some details, cranberries and lingonberries have approximately the same value for the body. Of course, there are differences in the qualities of the berries. For example, lingonberries have a laxative effect and, as a result, successfully fight constipation. Therefore, the choice remains with the reader, which berry to choose for home canning and making healing potions.

What can I substitute for cranberries?

So, if you need to use cranberries, but they are not at hand at the moment, you can take other berries instead. For medicinal purposes, experts advise using lingonberries. In this case, you need to carefully read the list of indications and contraindications for the use of this berry. It would not be superfluous to consult with specialists - doctors and nutritionists.

The question "what can I replace cranberries with?" sometimes discourages housewives when they want to cook or bake something "delicious". In some simple pie recipes, cranberries are indicated as a filling. Caring mothers and wives want to treat their family with an unusual dessert, but they don't have the berries at hand. What should they do in this case? Instead of cranberries, you can use lingonberries, red currants and cherries, that is, berries that have a sour taste.

Vitamins in cranberries

As has already been said before, cranberries have a powerful vitamin composition, which allows this berry to be used to strengthen the immune system and for other medicinal purposes.

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

Secondly, cranberries contain a sufficient amount of B vitamins: vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid) and PP (nicotinic acid or vitamin B3).

Thirdly, the rather rare and valuable vitamin K (phylloquinone) is found in cranberries in such quantities that it rivals cabbage and strawberries – some of the recognized leaders in the content of this substance.

Fourthly, cranberries contain vitamin A. However, in this case, the berry cannot compete with food leaders in terms of the content of this vitamin.

Well, and of course, we shouldn’t forget about vitamin E, which also affects the healing properties of the northern berry and is contained in it in acceptable quantities.

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

Medicinal properties of cranberries

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

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

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

• hypertension;
• malaria;
• anemia;
• rheumatism;
• tonsillitis;
• atherosclerosis;
• vascular spasms;
• headaches;
• dropsy.

In some cases, cranberries are such an effective remedy that the disease recedes thanks to the systematic and correct use of the healthy berry.