Cranberries: benefits, harms, contraindications

This small and cute berry has tremendous benefits for the body. Despite its miniature size, it contains a whole storehouse of vitamins! Today we'll talk about cranberries - how much you need to eat per day, can you give it to children, what contraindications it has, and much more.

The benefits of cranberries

Cranberries have collected a whole complex of vitamins and minerals. At the same time, benefits can be obtained not only from fresh, but also from dry and frozen berries. So, what exactly is this product useful for?

The berry has a preventive effect on urolithiasis and diseases of the urinary system. To protect yourself and your family from illness, it is enough to drink half a glass of berry juice three times a day every day. Such a habit will protect the body from infections, and also normalizes the work of the gastrointestinal tract.

Regular consumption of berries contributes to exit from the body of toxins and toxins, improves bowel function. In general, cranberries are rightfully considered one of the most useful wild berries. By her treat colds and other ailments of an infectious nature. It contains a lot of vitamin C, thanks to which it gives a quick and lasting effect. Even medical experts recognize the fact that it is much easier to list what the berry does not heal than what it helps from. This gift of nature prevents the development and reproduction of cancer cells, especially in cases where the tumor is localized in the prostate, mammary gland and large intestine.

Who did not know, the second name of the cranberry is a rejuvenating berry. It contains a huge amount of antioxidants that prevent skin aging, prolonging youthfulness. For this property, she is very beloved in cosmetology, however, an internal technique will allow to "freeze" age.

Chewing cranberries thoroughly can prevent caries... The berry kills all harmful bacteria and prevents their reproduction. But every time you have to rinse the mouth, as its juice with prolonged exposure can corrode the enamel, making the teeth sensitive.

Cranberries are able to suppress headaches, relieve coughs, and lower fever. In men, the berry helps to increase potency and helps the strong half of humanity to bypass the diseases of the reproductive system. To feel the full power of nature, they just need to drink 300 ml of nectar daily.

By the way, with the help of cranberries, you can normalize your weight. It helps control appetite and normalizes metabolism.

The berry contributes to the formation of high-quality muscles and bones, boosts immunity, normalizes appetite and has a positive effect on the skin. These qualities will be very useful not only for adults, but also for children, whose immunity often leaves much to be desired.

By the way, the positive effect of cranberries on diabetics is already known for certain. Experiments have shown that sufferers diabetes mellitus of the first type, when the berries were consumed, the sugar level stopped increasing, and in patients of the second type, a significant decrease in blood sugar was observed. This action is due to the fact that the berry stimulates the work of the pancreas, and that, in turn, begins to produce insulin on its own. For the treatment of diabetes mellitus, you need to drink 240 ml of freshly squeezed berry juice daily for three months.

Cranberries are excellent prevention varicose veins, the appearance of plaques and blood clots. Regular consumption of berries helps to prevent stomach cancer and prevent the occurrence of ulcers (only in no case should you eat a berry on an empty stomach). Normalizes blood clotting. It has a positive effect on the condition of nails, hair and skin.

Cranberry harm

The harm of this berry can only appear if it was taken by a person with contraindications. We will talk a little later about who should not take it inside, as well as about the precautions. For the rest, it can only be beneficial. However, you cannot overeat it either. The main thing in this business is regularity.

Application of cranberries

Cranberries are used in many fields, from medicine to cosmetology. With its help, they organize the prevention of many diseases, since there are a lot of antioxidants in it. Lovers of natural cosmetics add berries to masks and lotions. Cranberries have found their vocation in cooking, delicious pies, compotes and healthy fruit drinks are prepared with it.

A little below, we will look at various healthy recipes in which this berry is applicable.

Where does cranberry grow

There are three main types of cranberries: large, small and ordinary. By the way, the first is sometimes called the American variety. In Russia, for the most part, common and medium-sized berries grow. The place of residence of small-fruited, as a rule, is the tundra, forest-tundra, northern swamps and areas near the Arctic Circle. Common cranberries grow throughout Russia where there are swamps and wet hollows, with the exception of the Caucasus, Kuban and the Volga region. The berry is very fond of places with high humidity, served from a person.

Contraindications for cranberries

As it is already clear, cranberries are a very useful product, but even with them you need to be very careful and keep in mind the contraindications. First, measure is needed in everything - do not overeat it. It is always better not to have enough vitamins than too many. In the first case, it is easier for the body to cope, but in the second, medical intervention is needed.

It is better to replace cranberries with another useful berry for people with a sick liver and high acidity of the stomach. With extreme caution, you need to use the berry in case of problems in the work of the gastrointestinal tract, refuse dried, frozen and raw cranberries. It is much better to cook compotes from it, and consume the berry itself boiled. This is due to the fact that getting into the stomach and intestines in its original form, it can irritate these organs.

During a cold, never consume cranberries and cranberries in tandem with sulfa drugs, as this can lead to the formation of kidney stones. For the same reason, the berry is not allowed for those suffering from gout and for those who already have urolithiasis.

Cranberries and hypotensive patients are contraindicated, as it greatly lowers blood pressure. Be careful if you have sensitive teeth, because this is an indicator of weakened enamel, and sour cranberries can make things worse. It is foolish, of course, to say that in this case the berry is contraindicated, but only after consuming it, you must rinse your mouth to reduce acidity.

To prevent cranberries from causing harm, you need to follow some rules when eating it:

• never eat cranberries on an empty stomach;
• even if dental problems do not bother you, always try to rinse your mouth after taking it;
• in order to preserve the full vitamin complex, it is unnecessary to boil the berry, it is better to just fill it with hot water.

Is it possible for children to have cranberries

Just imagine, only 100 g of the product is able to nourish the children's body with a daily norm of vitamins K, A, C and E, a third of the norm with vitamins of group B. There is a lot of vitamin PP in the berry, which takes an active part in the assimilation of vitamin C. Given its rich vitamin composition the question is brewing, is it possible for her children? Of course it is possible, provided that the child has no contraindications and is not allergic to the berry.

It is highly advisable to adhere to the following standards.

• For children from 0 to 1 year old. If you follow the guidelines of the World Health Organization, then newborn babies should not introduce brightly colored foods into the diet earlier than the main food. Those. not earlier than six months. If the child is breastfed, then cranberries can be given no earlier than 7.5 months. Babies up to one year old can eat cranberries only after processing. For example, pre-steam the berries for about three minutes. You can grind cranberries and add to cereals or other mashed potatoes. It is also permissible to give juice or make fruit drink, previously diluted with water, in a 1: 1 ratio. The frequency of admission is no more than twice a week. The risk, due to which it is undesirable to give cranberries to babies under one year old, the occurrence of an allergic reaction.
• From one to three years. You can enter a berry crumbs into the diet, in an amount of 10-20 g per day (this is about a couple of tablespoons). However, there is also a restriction on the intake of fresh berries. It is better if you give it in the form of cooked fruit drink, jelly or compote, after scalding the berry with boiling water. During the period of colds, it is permissible to quadruple the dosage.
• Children over three years old. From this age, you can give cranberries raw. Here you can already eat it as an independent dish, as well as in compotes, mashed potatoes and other types. It should be understood that all vitamins are preserved in the berry in their pure form, without heat treatment, unfortunately, not all children are aflame with love for its specific taste. If the child resists her, then you can resort to compotes and fruit drinks.

Cranberries during pregnancy

Cranberries during pregnancy are a real find for the expectant mother. In addition to the general strengthening properties, which is very important not only for a woman, but also for the fetus, the berry helps cope even with terrible toxicosis, she blunts him very well. Regular consumption of berries will help to avoid edema, maintain the level of immunity at the proper level, and protect against occurrence gestational diabetes and many other ailments that can arise out of nowhere in a weakened body. The benefits of cranberries during pregnancy can be talked about indefinitely, it affects absolutely the entire body. But it is at this moment that ladies are susceptible to allergic reactions, so you need to eat it carefully and after consulting with your supervising doctor.

What can be made from cranberries

Many goodies can be made from cranberries, both fresh and frozen. At the same time, in addition to satisfying the taste, it becomes possible to saturate your body with useful substances. We bring to your attention several cooking options with this berry.

• Cranberry jelly. You will need 400 g of berries, the same amount of sugar, 150 g of potato starch and about three liters of water. The berry must be sorted out and thoroughly kneaded with a crush. After that, juice is squeezed out of the resulting mass. Squeezed berries are poured with water (hot) and put on fire for five minutes. Next, you need to fill it with sugar and add squeezed juice with starch previously diluted in it. Without stopping stirring, the jelly is brought to a boil, and then removed from the stove.
• Cranberry cobbler. You will need a couple of tablespoons of cranberry juice, a third of a glass of lingonberry juice, about 50 g of cream ice cream, ice and fruit to taste. A glass with an expansion upward is filled halfway with crushed ice, then all the ingredients are poured in, the chopped pieces of fruit are thrown and everything is mixed. Serve the drink with a straw and a small spoon.
• Cranberry kvass. Sort a kilogram of berries, rinse thoroughly and crush. Pour four liters of water and cook for ten minutes. After that, strain and cool the composition. Dilute the yeast and add to the total mass. Stir, pour into pre-prepared bottles, cork and put in a cool place for three days.
• For this delicious drink you will need: a couple of glasses of milk, a glass of cranberries, half a glass of applesauce, a couple of tablespoons of sugar, half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Bring the milk to a boil, add sugar and cinnamon and wait for a while. Remove from heat and refrigerate. Rinse the cranberries well and rub through a sieve. Mix prepared cranberry puree with applesauce. Gently pour in the milk and whisk quickly with a mixer to prevent the milk from curdling.

Cranberry recipes

• With hypertension and atherosclerosis, you can prepare and consume the following infusion. You will need 10 g of berries and a glass of boiling water. Fill the berry with water and place in a thermos, then let it brew for at least four hours. Thoroughly strain the finished infusion and drink throughout the day, dividing the composition into three times, before eating.
• For skin sores, you can use your own prepared ointment. Take a couple of tablespoons of fresh berries (you can also frozen if it is not possible to take fresh ones) and squeeze the juice out of them, passing the berries through cheesecloth. Combine "nectar" with 50 g of petroleum jelly and 50 g of lanolin. Mix everything thoroughly and place in a clean jar. Store the finished composition exclusively in the refrigerator. This drug is used as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory.
• With the help of cranberries, you can quickly and effectively cure periodontal disease. To do this, just take one berry and start rubbing its juice into the gums with your fingertips. You need to massage for about a minute and a half. Such a remedy not only restores the gums, but also relieves inflammation and kills all microbes.
• Long-term cough, hypertension, kidney problems, tuberculosis, cystitis, ascites - all this can be cured with ordinary cranberry juice. To prepare it, you just need to squeeze the juice of the berry and mix it with honey. Despite the fact that it is undesirable to drink cranberry juice with kidney stones, it is he who is an excellent prophylactic agent against them. The same juice can be used to lower the level of bad cholesterol in the blood and prevent blood clots.
• You can make a delicious and very healthy cranberry blank. To do this, in a 1: 1 ratio, berries and sugar are taken, everything is ground, heated to 90 ° C and sent to the jar. Further, the finished mixture can be used at your discretion. You can make fruit drink from it by taking a couple of spoons of mashed potatoes and pouring it with warm boiled water, or put it as a filling in pies.
• A delicious treat in the form of a marshmallow can also be made from this wonderful berry. Rinse a pound of berries thoroughly and place in a saucepan with a thick bottom. Pour a glass of clean water and put on low heat. The berry should simmer until it becomes soft. After that, grind the composition to a puree state and add 800 g of sugar (you can take a kilogram if you want sweeter). Boil the mass so that most of the liquid comes out. After that, transfer to parchment and send to the oven to dry.