How many kcal in cranberries. Fresh, dried, dried cranberries - calories

Cranberry (Oxycoccus)

Description

Cranberry is an evergreen creeping shrub of the heather family. It has flexible filiform stems 15 to 30 cm long, with narrow oblong leaves, ash-white underneath. The flowers are light purple, turned downwards and "turned out". The fruit of the cranberry is a berry, round or elongated, red in color and sour in taste.

Spreading

The generic name of cranberry is translated from Latin as "sour ball". All over the world there are 4 types of cranberries that grow in the tundra, forest-tundra and in the forest zone in Europe, Asia, North America (American species are distinguished by especially large fruits).

In our country, 2 types of this plant are common - small-fruited and marsh, and some types of marsh cranberries also have rather large fruits.

Application

You need to collect cranberries, like viburnum, slightly frozen. Kvass, fruit drinks, fillings for pies, jam are prepared from cranberries, sour berries are added to salads, sauces, rubbed with sugar. Cabbage, sauerkraut with cranberries, cranberries in sugar, Cranberry Sauce to fish or meat - all these recipes have long become classics of culinary art.

The best way to store cranberries is raw jam or frozen.

Composition and properties

Cranberries are one of the healthiest wild berries. Cranberries contain vitamins C, PP, K, B1, B2, many organic acids, micro and macro elements, flavonoids, sugars, pectin, coloring, nitrogenous, tannins, phytoncides. The high content of benzoic acid allows you to store cranberries without adding preservatives, without heat treatment, for a long time.

Cranberry is a powerful natural healing agent. It has the ability to resist infections due to the high concentration of tannin, as well as enhance the effect of drugs. Therefore, it is used in the treatment of gynecological diseases, to prevent the formation of kidney stones, as a means of increasing vitality, improving appetite and pancreatic secretion. Cranberries treat colds and diseases of the genitourinary system, it is a good diuretic. Cranberry juice is useful for gastritis with low acidity of gastric juice, obesity, colitis.

Cranberries in the form of juices, fruit drinks, extracts, infusions with honey are used for hypertension, malaria, anemia, rheumatism, tonsillitis, atherosclerosis, vascular spasms, headache, dropsy. Cranberries contain a variety of antioxidants that lower levels of "bad" cholesterol in the blood, as well as have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

Cranberry juice quenches thirst well and reduces fever during colds and flu.

AT traditional medicine cranberries are considered an antidote for poisoning by poisonous plants.

Evgeny Shmarov

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Cranberry is a shrub with branches creeping along the ground. Belongs to the Vereskov family. The fruit of the cranberry is a large spherical berry of rich red color. Europeans considered Russia to be the birthplace of cranberries, but Americans dispute this claim. The berry grows in swamps and swampy shores of reservoirs, as well as in damp coniferous forests of the northern regions of the planet.

Cranberry varieties

Cranberries, or "northern lemon", have been cultivated since the first half of the 19th century. At this time, special attention was paid to large-fruited varieties. Since the end of the last century, breeders began to develop new varieties of marsh cranberries. Currently, there are more than 20 varieties of cranberries.

Let's name the most common of them:

Nutritional value, calorie content and composition of cranberries

Cranberries are distinguished by a very low calorie content, even among berries. In 100 grams of cranberries, there are only 28 kcal, and in a glass - a little more than 40. And this is not surprising, because cranberries are almost 90% water and contain a very small amount of carbohydrates.

Nutritional value of 100 g of cranberries:

• 88.9 g of water.
• 3.7 g of carbohydrates.
• 0.5 g of proteins.
• 0.2 g fat.

Composition of cranberries (in 100 g):

Vitamins:

• 15 mg vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
• 0.3 mg of vitamin PP (nicotinic acid).
• 1 mcg of vitamin B9 (folic acid).
• 0.02 mg vitamin B1 (thiamine).
• 1 mg vitamin E (tocopherol).
• 0.08 mg vitamin B6 (pyridoxine).
• 0.02 mg vitamin B2 (riboflavin).

Minerals:

• 119 mg potassium.
• 0.6 mg iron.
• 14 mg calcium.
• 11 mg phosphorus.
• 15 mg magnesium.
• 1 mg sodium.

The benefits and harms of cranberries

Beneficial features cranberries:

1. Cranberries are able to remove salts of heavy metals and radioactive substances from the body. In addition, it prevents the development of cancer. For this reason, cranberries are especially recommended for residents of ecologically disadvantaged regions and people employed in hazardous industries.
2. Berries have a positive effect on the system. They strengthen the walls of blood vessels, giving them elasticity, which prevents the formation of blood clots.
3. Cranberry juice helps to remove kidney stones.
4. Compresses from crushed cranberries relieve headaches.
5. Pureed berries are used to treat abrasions and burns, and cranberry juice is used for dermatitis and fungal diseases.

Harm cranberries

• Cranberries can cause severe allergies, so people who are prone to cranberries should use the berry with great care.
• Cranberries are not recommended for high acidity and peptic ulcer. With these diseases, cranberries can only be consumed in the form of juice diluted with water.
• Due to the high acid content, fresh berries should not be eaten on an empty stomach. They are best used as a dessert or processed.

Cranberries in the diet of pregnant and lactating women, children, diabetics and athletes

For pregnant women cranberries are extremely useful. It has a positive effect on the genitourinary system, eliminates edema and improves immunity. In addition, berries and cranberry juice improve blood circulation in the uterus, which is undoubtedly beneficial for the fetus.
Nursing mothers should refrain from eating cranberries, as it can cause severe allergies in the baby.

children up to three years, giving cranberries in any form is also not recommended.

BUT diabetics very helpful. First, it contains a minimal amount of glucose. Secondly, it normalizes the hormonal background, thanks to ursolic acid. You can eat cranberries in a glass a day, given the bread units.

No less useful cranberries and athletes . It will supply the body with the necessary number of vitamins. If you need to lose weight before the competition, cranberries, like dietary product, is the best fit as a component diet food.

How to choose, collect, consume and store cranberries?

• Collecting cranberries begins in mid-October and continues until snow falls. When collecting, you can use a plastic manual harvester, but it is better to pick each berry separately.
• In a cool dry place fresh cranberries can be stored up to 10 days, and in the refrigerator up to two weeks.
• If freshly harvested cranberries are washed cold water, and then, placing in jars, pour cooled boiling water over it, it will be stored in the refrigerator for a whole year.
• If you buy cranberries on the market, then first of all you should pay attention to appearance berries. Fresh berries should be shiny and firm to the touch. In addition, they should be painted in an intense red color. Dried, shriveled berries with a brownish or faded color should not be bought.
• Cranberries can be dried and frozen. Dried cranberries can retain useful properties for three years, frozen - for a year.

What dishes can be cooked with cranberries?

Cranberry Diet

It is not recommended to arrange a mono-diet on cranberries, but nutritionists advise cranberry fasting days. Their goal is to cleanse the body of toxins and excess fluid. Along the way, you can get rid of 1-2 kilograms of excess weight. The maximum duration of the cranberry diet is 3 days. At this time, you need to drink only water and cranberry juice diluted with water. The amount of the latter should be equal to 8 glasses. Solid foods are not recommended for this diet. With a strong feeling of hunger, you can eat some fruit. Before starting a fasting diet and after it, you need to limit the intake of fatty and carbohydrate-rich foods.

A more gentle diet option is to include cranberries, cranberry juice and fruit drinks in the daily menu, which should consist of low-calorie foods. It must be said that the long-term proper nutrition will bring even greater effect than a rigid mono-diet. In addition, the first option can seriously affect health.

Cranberries are rich in vitamins and minerals. Its composition is represented by vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, E, PP, minerals calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus.

The calorie content of dried cranberries per 100 grams is 307.9 kcal. In 100 g of product:

• 0.1 g protein;
• 1.4 g fat;
• 76.6 g of carbohydrates.

Dried cranberries are saturated with B, E, C, PP vitamins, minerals manganese, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, selenium, iron, and magnesium. because of a large number easily digestible carbohydrates, the product is contraindicated in weight loss and during a diet.

Dried cranberries calories per 100 grams

The calorie content of dried cranberries per 100 grams is 280 kcal. Per 100 gram serving:

• 2.6 g protein;
• 0.55 g fat;
• 57 g of carbohydrates.

The useful properties of dried cranberries have been proven for the prevention of metabolic disorders, diathesis, and colds. Due to the saturation with fast carbohydrates, dried berries will have to be abandoned in case of inflammatory processes in the stomach, liver, pancreas, and intestines.

Calorie cranberries in sugar per 100 grams

The calorie content of cranberries in sugar per 100 grams is 188 kcal. In a 100-gram serving of sweets:

• 0.2 g protein;
• 0 g fat;
• 48.8 g of carbohydrates.

To prepare cranberries in sugar, you need:

• rinse thoroughly with 100 g of fresh berries;
• prepare sugar syrup by dissolving 50 g of sugar in 2 tablespoons of water and bringing the resulting mixture to a boil;
• cranberries are dipped on each side in the resulting warm syrup and then quickly rolled in powdered sugar (a total of 65 g of powder will be needed);
• dried berries.

Calorie content of frozen cranberries per 100 grams

Calorie content of frozen cranberries per 100 grams is 18 kcal. In a 100-gram serving of berries:

• 0.5 g protein;
• 0 g fat;
• 3.9 g of carbohydrates.

It should be remembered that when frozen, cranberries lose a significant part of vitamins and minerals. This product is widely used for making cakes, pies, pies and other sweet flour products.

The benefits of cranberries

The following benefits of cranberries are known:

• cranberries are rich in vitamin C, which is necessary to strengthen the immune system, prevent colds;
• with regular consumption of fresh berries, the risk of developing varicose veins and hemorrhoids is reduced;
• amino acids of a cranberry are necessary for maintenance of elasticity of vessels;
• some studies have confirmed the beneficial properties of the berry for the prevention of stomach cancer;
• cranberry compresses are used to reduce pain symptoms with headaches;
• cranberry ointments for the treatment of burns are characterized by high efficiency;
• cranberry juice tones and rejuvenates the skin.

Harm cranberries

The use of cranberries will have to be abandoned when:

• individual intolerance to berries;
• tendency to food allergies;

• when breastfeeding and in children under 3 years of age;
• if the acidity of gastric juice is increased;
• for diseases of the teeth: cranberries are saturated with acids that destroy tooth enamel. That is why after eating the berries it is recommended to rinse your mouth with water.

Calories, kcal:

Proteins, g:

Carbohydrates, g:

Cranberry is a berry, the fruit of an evergreen creeping shrub, common on moist, often swampy soils of the Northern Hemisphere. Your English name "Cranberry" cranberries received thanks to their flowers, which resemble the neck and head of a crane. Red berries can be spherical, ellipsoid or ovoid, with a pronounced sour taste and fresh scent.

The most extensive plantations for growing cranberries are in the USA and Canada, cranberries are cultivated in the Scandinavian countries, Belarus, and Karelia. Some types of cranberries have an air chamber inside the berries, so they do not sink in water, which makes harvesting much easier. The area of ​​the plantation is flooded with water, the water is foamed by special harvesters, while ripe berries come off and they can be collected from the surface of the water.

Cranberry calories

The calorie content of cranberries is 26 kcal per 100 grams of product.

Useful properties of cranberries extend literally to the entire body. Cranberry reduces the development of carious processes, the berry has long been used as a natural remedy against scurvy. Cranberries contain indigestible dietary fiber, which gently cleanse the intestines and help eliminate toxins and waste. Cranberries contain a lot of antioxidants, ursolic acid, which is responsible for the stable growth of muscle tissue (calorizator). Cranberry has the ability to slow down the development of atherosclerosis and is a uroseptic, the only berry indicated for cystitis. Cranberries contain substances that prevent the attachment of E. coli to the walls Bladder(which is the cause of the development of cystitis). The use of cranberries is recommended for any infectious diseases of the urinary system. Cranberry is rich, contains vitamins, lowers blood sugar, promotes comfortable weight loss.

Harm cranberries

Excessive consumption of fresh cranberries can adversely affect the condition of tooth enamel, and is not recommended for those who are diagnosed with stomach ulcers and gastritis with high acidity. The red color of the berries makes cranberries a product that can cause allergic reactions. Cranberries have antiseptic and antiviral effects, berries are used for colds and as a prophylactic during seasonal colds.

Selection and storage of cranberries

When buying cranberries, you should pay attention to the dryness and intactness of the berries, the absence of signs of decay and the presence of mold, fresh cranberries should not be caked. Frozen berries should be poured without forming one or more lumps. Fresh cranberries can be poured with clean cold water and stored in this state for a month at room temperature and up to six months in the cool (cellar). Ripe fresh cranberries are frozen by laying them out in a single layer on a flat surface, then pouring them into bags or plastic containers. Frozen berries retain their taste and beneficial properties for 12-20 months.

Cranberries are a very useful berry, and due to their low calorie content, they are also a good helper in losing weight. Find out how many calories are in fresh, dried and dried cranberries, get 7 recipes and lose weight with benefit!

Cranberry is a red berry with a pronounced sour taste, fresh aroma and a lot of useful properties that have a beneficial effect on almost the entire human body. Along with a rich vitamin and mineral composition, the calorie content of cranberries is only 28 kcal per 100 grams, due to which it is widely used not only for health purposes, but also in dietary nutrition. The use of these berries during weight loss can significantly enrich the diet and make the process of weight loss less stressful. At the same time, it should be read that the indicated calorie content refers only to freshly harvested products, and processed products have a different energy value, the increase or decrease of which depends on the processing method.

fresh

Cranberries are best consumed fresh. As mentioned above, the calorie content in this case is 28 kcal / 100 g. Only frozen has a lower energy value - 17 kcal / 100 g, however, along with a decrease in the number of calories, the vitamin and mineral composition of the berries also becomes poorer.

Important! When frozen, the calorie content of cranberries decreases, which makes it a more sought-after component of any weight loss diets. But it should be borne in mind that after any freezing, a significant part of the vitamins and minerals are destroyed, so the product becomes less beneficial to health and the body as a whole.

Freezing cranberries does not make sense for another reason. "Northern lemon", as this plant is often called for its characteristic pronounced sourness, has unique bactericidal properties due to the presence of a natural preservative - benzoic acid. Thanks to this substance, the berries do not deteriorate for a long time and do not lose their original taste.

To preserve freshness for a long time and at the same time even slightly reduce the calorie content of cranberries, you just need to pour cold boiled water over it. If there is a lot of raw materials, use enamel pots, which are installed in the basement or in another cool place. With a small amount, cranberries are packed in a similar way in jars and stored in the refrigerator. The shelf life of such products is several months. And even with more long-term storage the berries will not spoil, but simply absorb the liquid in which they are located. This will not affect the beneficial properties in any way, only the taste will become less saturated.

Fresh cranberry fruits have antiseptic and antiviral properties, they are recommended for the treatment of colds and for prevention during seasonal colds. Due to their low calorie content, cranberries can be a great addition to any diet. But it should be taken into account that overuse fresh berries can adversely affect the condition of tooth enamel and gastrointestinal tract, especially in the presence of ulcers or gastritis with high acidity.

When buying fresh berries, you should choose dry, intact, without signs of decay and mold. Frozen products should consist of individual fruits that have not frozen into lumps.

Dried

There is a misconception that dried cranberries, whose calorie content is 308 kcal / 100 g, are not suitable for those who are on a diet. But you need to understand that during the drying process, liquid evaporates from it, it decreases in volume and weight, and the composition becomes more concentrated. Accordingly, the calorie content per gram also increases. If we measure this indicator by the number of berries, then it remains unchanged.

For the same reason, dried fruits differ more rich taste and aroma. They are perfectly stored due to their own natural preservative, so their production technology does not provide for the use of any additives traditionally used to increase the shelf life of other dried fruits and preserve their external attractiveness.

In addition, due to the higher content of valuable substances, regular consumption of dried cranberries has a beneficial effect on health, providing the following results:

• normalizes cholesterol metabolism;
• free radicals are removed;
• inflammation and infections in the oral cavity are eliminated;
• the severity of carious processes decreases;
• the intestines are gently cleansed;
• slags and toxins are removed from cells;
• blood pressure decreases;
• the development of atherosclerosis slows down;
• accelerates the treatment of cystitis, other infections of the urinary system and gynecological diseases;
• avitaminosis is eliminated, immune defense is strengthened.

For medicinal and recreational purposes, decoctions, compotes, and infusions are prepared from dried cranberries. It is also widely used in the usual daily diet when preparing sauces, desserts, pastries, etc. The beneficial properties of the “northern lemon” are so versatile that doctors and nutritionists recommend that residents of large cities regularly include it in their diet throughout the year, as well as those people who often go on diets.

Jerky

Dried berries are produced using a special drying method, which results in fruits that are not too dry, but not as firm and fleshy as fresh ones. They are often used to decorate various dishes, instead of raisins or candied fruit in baked goods, as well as a dessert on their own or a vitamin supplement to tea. In addition, they make very tasty, saturated with natural vitamins drinks - compotes, kissels, fruit drinks, kvass.

During the processing process, the calorie content of cranberries rises to 280 calories per 100 grams. This is due not only to the evaporation of the liquid, as in conventional drying, but also to the use of sugar syrup. Therefore, such a product is saturated with both useful complex and harmful simple carbohydrates. This makes it an undesirable component of the diet for weight loss or the presence of inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas.

In addition, due to the peculiarities of the technology, which involves pre-cooking and subsequent drying during elevated temperatures, some important vitamins and minerals are destroyed in cranberries. For this reason, it is excellent for use as healthy dessert, but are not recommended for treatment or recovery.

Dishes

Cranberry fruits are widely used in cooking in all the forms described above. On their basis, a variety of dishes and drinks are prepared, and also added to vegetable and fruit salads, cold appetizers, pastries and desserts. Due to the low calorie content of cranberries, including them in a recipe can reduce the overall energy value. finished product. But in some cases, due to the combination with too nutritious components, for example, with sugar or powdered sugar, the calorie content of cranberries, on the contrary, increases. Therefore, if this factor matters, it is necessary to choose dishes that are more useful for the figure. Also, in some recipes, fresh cranberries can be replaced with frozen ones, since the quality of the dishes and their taste characteristics will not be affected. However, it should be borne in mind that as a result of freezing, a certain part of valuable substances is lost and the product becomes less beneficial to health, especially after further heat treatment.

In powdered sugar

Washed and well-dried fresh cranberries are mixed with pre-whipped egg whites. Spread on a sieve or sieve to drain excess protein foam. Take in portions and roll in powdered sugar, then dry on parchment for 2-3 hours. Stored in cardboard boxes. For 1 kg of berries you need 1 kg powdered sugar and 2 squirrels. With this set of components, the calorie content of cranberries will increase to 185 kcal / 100 g.

in sugar

First, a syrup is prepared, for which 100 g of sugar and 4 tbsp are mixed. l. water, then the mixture is heated over low heat until completely dissolved. Leave to cool until warm. 200 g of fresh berries are sorted and washed, poured into warm syrup and gently mixed so that their surface is covered with liquid on all sides. They are quickly taken out and rolled in granulated sugar, then laid out on parchment paper and allowed to dry. The calorie content of cranberries in sugar prepared according to this recipe will be even higher and will be about 200 kcal / 100 g.

Jerky

cook dried berries possible at home. To do this, they are poured with syrup (the ratio of water and sugar is 1: 1) and boiled until they begin to burst. Remove from heat, let cool and place on a lined baking sheet. parchment paper. Place in an oven preheated to 60ºС and incubated for 3 hours. After that, they take it out of the oven, change the parchment and dry it for another 4–6 hours at the same temperature. After cooking, the calorie content of cranberries rises to 280 kcal / 100 g.

Morse

Grind through a sieve 500 g of fruit. The resulting juice is left, and the squeezed pulp is mixed with 160 g granulated sugar, add 1.5 liters of water, bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Allow to cool and brew, then filter, pour juice into it and stir well. Using this recipe for the preparation of cranberry juice, the calorie content of the finished drink will be 39–40 kcal / 100 ml. If sugar is replaced with honey in a ratio of 40 g per 1 liter of water and 200 g of berries, then the energy value product will drop to 16.5 calories per 100 ml.

Kisel

Bring 1.4 liters of water to a boil, add 3 cups of cranberries and 1 cup of sugar. Cook after boiling for 5 minutes. Let it brew, filter and again put the resulting compote on the fire. Separately bred 5 tbsp. l. starch in a small amount of cold water, stir well until a homogeneous suspension is obtained. When the compote boils, pour the starch mixture into it in a thin stream with constant stirring to prevent the formation of clots. Allow the jelly to boil, stirring constantly. Consume cold.

When preparing jelly from cranberries, the calorie content of ordinary compote, which forms the basis of this drink, increases significantly - up to 58 kcal per 100 ml. This is due to the addition of starch, which gives it a jelly-like form, but at the same time it is almost a pure carbohydrate, and, therefore, a supplier of an increased amount of extra “empty” calories.

Jelly

Bred 1 tbsp. l. gelatin in 200 ml of boiled water (or according to the instructions on the package) and leave to swell. Separately, pour 1 cup of berries and ½ cup of granulated sugar into 500 ml of boiling water, boil for 2-3 minutes. Allow to cool slightly and filter through a sieve, rubbing together with the pulp. Bring to a boil again, remove from heat. Pour in the swollen gelatin, mix thoroughly until completely dissolved. Pour into moulds, chill in the refrigerator until set.

When preparing cranberry jelly, calories ready meal, which also has a jelly-like shape, like jelly, will be slightly lower - only 49.6 kcal / 100 ml. Moreover, gelatin is protein product. Despite the relatively high calorie content, it is more beneficial in dietary terms than starch, since its calories are not "empty".

Pirogue

Beat 3 eggs and 100 g of sugar, add 250 ml of milk and 100 g of pre-melted butter, mix thoroughly. Separately, 250 g of flour and 1 tsp are mixed. baking powder, pour in the egg-milk mixture and mix again, whisking until smooth. Pour 100 g of fresh or frozen (without defrosting) cranberry fruits with starch (1 tbsp is enough), and then add them to the dough and mix gently again. The mass is laid out in a greased and floured form, set in an oven preheated to 180ºС. Bake for 1 hour, checking the readiness of the dough with a toothpick (it should be dry). The finished pie with cranberry filling has a delicate texture and original sour taste. Its energy value is 286.9 kcal / 100 g.

The nutritional value

Cranberry is a valuable source of a large number of nutrients, which, along with low calorie content, makes it a highly sought-after food product. The composition of the berries includes pectin, various organic acids, dietary fiber, mono- and disaccharides, ash, many vitamins, minerals and other macro- and microelements. Their presence testifies to the obvious benefits of the "northern lemon" for human health.

Proteins fats carbohydrates

Cranberry fruits are used not only fresh, but also processed. Since the calorie content of the berries changes as a result of any processing, the content of the main macronutrients in them also varies. Thus, the amount of BJU in 100 g, depending on the condition of the berries, will be as follows:

In fresh:

• proteins - 0.5 g;
• fat - 0.2 g;
• carbohydrates - 3.7 g.

In frozen:

• proteins - 0.5 g;
• fat - 0.2 g;
• carbohydrates - 3.9 g.

In dried:

• proteins - 0.1 g;
• fat - 1.4 g;
• carbohydrates - 76.5 g.

In dried:

• proteins - 2.5 g;
• fat - 0.55 g;
• carbohydrates - 57 g.

Important! It should not be forgotten that the content of BJU, as well as the calorie content of cranberries in their natural form, that is, fresh or processed without the addition of sugar and other components, remains unchanged in terms of net weight. Shrinkage (evaporation of moisture) or absorption of pure water only changes the concentration of the main macronutrients, but does not affect their ratio in any way.

Macro- and microelements

The richness of macro- and microelements puts the "northern lemon" on a par with natural medicines. These berries are especially rich in such important elements as:

• potassium - improves the functioning of the cardiac and skeletal muscles, is functionally associated with sodium, when interacting with which it contributes to the development of membrane potential, the occurrence of muscle contractions, maintaining acid-base balance and normalizing water balance;
• sodium - functionally related to potassium and performs the above actions;
• magnesium - is a cofactor in a significant part of enzymatic reactions, maintains the normal state of the nervous system and heart muscle, has a vasodilating effect, increases intestinal motility, stimulates bile secretion;
• calcium - regulates blood clotting and various intracellular processes, including hormone secretion, muscle contraction, and others;
• phosphorus - strengthens bone and dental tissue;
• iron - improves the blood formula, increases the supply of oxygen to the cells.

The unique properties of cranberry fruits are determined by the content of not only minerals, but also some specific substances. So, the benzoic acid contained in cranberries is not only an excellent antiseptic, but also very successfully fights the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, the presence of which in the stomach causes the development and exacerbation of gastritis or ulcers. But this berry can only be used for prevention, since in the presence of such diseases it is contraindicated.

In addition, benzoic acid can enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics and is recommended in complex treatment to speed up the result. Additional antimicrobial protection is provided by the tannins and phenol contained in cranberry fruits, which are more in this plant than in any other berries. Phenol also has strong bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties that help treat various infectious diseases.

Another valuable component of the product is ursolic acid. Its beneficial actions are to normalize metabolism by stimulating the production of insulin. For this reason, cranberry juices and fruit drinks are recommended for people with diabetes. In addition, such drinks are also recommended for healthy people, because they energize them no worse than energy drinks, but at the same time they do not give any side effects characteristic of caffeinated products.

vitamins

Cranberries are included by American doctors in the list of the most useful products for humans. This is due to the fact that its fruits contain a huge amount of vitamins that have a beneficial effect on the body:

• C - contributes to the strengthening of capillaries, is one of the main participants in the process of formation of nonspecific immunity;
• K - a group of vitamins that provide protein synthesis, without which it is impossible to maintain a sufficient level of coagulation (blood clotting);
• A and β-carotene are the strongest antioxidant, especially useful to people in a state of peroxide stress, which can be caused by chronic diseases, improper diet, old age, etc.;
• E is an important antioxidant and antihypoxant, which is able not only to protect cell membranes from oxidative damage, but also to stabilize the mitochondrial membrane, ensuring economical oxygen consumption by cells;
• B1 - accelerates metabolic processes, supports the normal functioning of the heart, nervous, digestive and hormonal systems;
• B2 - participates in the formation of red blood cells and antibodies, regulates growth, human reproductive functions and the activity of the thyroid gland;
• B6 - stimulates metabolism, regulates the absorption of protein, accelerates the production of blood cells and hemoglobin, ensures a uniform supply of cells with glucose;
• B9 - a participant in various metabolic processes, stimulates the synthesis of amino acids;
• PP - participates in redox reactions, promotes the formation of enzymes, accelerates the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates in cells.

Specified healing properties and low calorie content of cranberries promote health, preserve youth and slim body. It is recommended to include in the diet of all people, regardless of age and health status. A contraindication to the use of the "northern lemon" can only be individual intolerance or acute inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal tract. In any case, if there is any doubt, it is necessary to consult a doctor or nutritionist, and also carefully monitor the body's reaction after eating berries.