If you are looking for a juicy and delicious superfood, cranberry will indeed feature on the list. A popular fruit, cranberries are rich and highly nutritious berries that can be consumed in a variety of ways. Native to North America, they are grown on extensive farmlands across Chile, Canada, and northern parts of the US. The high content of antioxidants, phenols, and nutrients present in the berry makes cranberries a superfood.
Cranberries are evergreen shrubs and grow in wet habitats. The fruit is small, hard, round, red, and packed with bitter-sour flavors. These berries grow on vines in freshwater swamps. Cranberries can be eaten fresh or in their dried candied form as well. Thanks to the global market, you can buy cranberry from reliable providers even if they aren’t grown in your country.
The Nutritional Values of Cranberry
If you like to savor fresh cranberries, you can enjoy the hydrating benefits of this fruit. Fresh cranberries contain almost 90% water with the remaining nutrients like carbs and fiber. Here’s what every 100 grams of cranberry contain:
- Calories: 46
- Water: 87%
- Protein: 0.4 grams
- Carbs: 12.2 grams
- Sugar: 4 grams
- Fiber: 4.6 grams
- Fat: 0.1 grams
The carbs in cranberries comprise sucrose, glucose, and fructose. Cranberries include both soluble and insoluble fiber. The former contains pectin, cellulose, and hemicellulose that can be passed out of the body as it is, while the latter can cause digestive symptoms such as diarrhea upon excessive consumption of the fruit.
A rich source of vitamins and minerals, cranberries contain Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, manganese, Vitamin E, Vitamin K1, and copper.
Health Benefits of Cranberry
A powerhouse of nutrients, especially antioxidants- cranberries have the following health benefits:
- Prevents urinary tract infections: The presence of A-type proanthocyanidins in cranberries can prevent the binding of E.Coli in the bladder.
- Good for oral health: Cranberries can prevent cavities by keeping the bacteria formation in the mouth at bay. Cranberries can control harmful acids in the mouth and can be used to treat gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer.
- Reduces inflammation: Cranberries contain high amounts of antioxidants, including anthocyanins and flavanols, which give this berry a dark hue and can lower inflammation in our bodies.
- Maintains digestive health and prevents cancer: A rich source of good bacteria, cranberries can help reduce harmful microbes that inhabit the colon. Some studies also reveal that cranberries can be used to prevent colon and gastrointestinal cancers due to A-type proanthocyanidins.
- Improves heart health: A great source of nutrients that can boost HDL (good cholesterol) in the body, cranberry juice can also help lower LDL.
Different Ways to Consume Cranberry
Cranberries can be consumed in their fresh berry form, but they have a tart flavor and are usually consumed with additional sweetness to make them more palatable.
Cranberry juice is a popular beverage, and it can be blended with other fruit juices as well. Cranberry-based products such as jams, sauces, and dried cranberries are also popular.
This plum berry is also compounded into powders or extracts and used in various supplements. You can also try making a trail mix by tossing dried cranberries into lightly roasted salted nuts or eating them with plain yogurt or oatmeal.
The Bottom Line
Relish the freshest berries taste as you bite into the juiciest cranberries from our store at Pahadi Hub. We only sell high-quality cranberries from the best sources to provide our customers with high-quality products. So, the next time you wish to buy cranberry online, you know where to head.
