Cranberries Health Benefits: Cranberries are small and tart red berries that have several important nutrients present in them. The benefits of these berries make them a popular choice in culinary and medicinal fields. They also have vitamin C, fibre, antioxidants and several bioactive compounds like flavonoids and polyphenols. These provide you with health benefits.

Cranberries are popular for preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs). This is because they have a high concentration of proanthocyanidins that can prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder walls which eventually helps to prevent UTIs. Cranberries also have several other health benefits. They are usually eaten in dried form juices or as a sauce.

Here, take a look at what happens when you add cranberries to your diet.

Cranberries are a good source of antioxidants, especially flavonoids and polyphenols. These help to neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. It can also lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and certain cancers by protecting cells from oxidative stress and inflammation.

One of the known benefits of cranberries is their ability to support urinary tract health. Cranberries have compounds like proanthocyanidins that prevent bacteria, especially E. coli, from sticking to the walls of the bladder and urinary tract, thereby, reducing the risk of UTIs.

Regular consumption of cranberries can improve heart health by improving cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Cranberries have anthocyanins which have been shown to increase ‘good’ HDL cholesterol while reducing ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Also, they help improve the functioning of blood vessel function which lowers the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.

The fibre in cranberries helps in digestion and maintains regular bowel movements. The polyphenols in cranberries can also help to maintain a healthy gut microbiome. This eventually helps in the growth of good gut bacteria which improves overall digestive health.

Cranberries have several bioactive compounds with strong anti-inflammatory properties. Regular consumption can help to reduce inflammation in the body, which is linked to conditions like arthritis, cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers.

Cranberries are high in vitamin C which is an essential nutrient for boosting the immune system. Vitamin C also helps in collagen production, improves the immune response to infections and helps in wound healing. This makes cranberries a good addition to the diet during cold and flu seasons.

While cranberries have many benefits, excessive consumption can lead to some side effects. Cranberry juice and dried cranberries often have added sugar which can lead to weight gain, blood sugar spikes and increase the risk of cavities.

People prone to kidney stones should consume cranberries cautiously as they have oxalates. These are compounds that lead to the formation of certain types of kidney stones.

Consuming large amounts of cranberries, especially in the form of juice may cause gastrointestinal discomfort such as diarrhoea or bloating due to their acidity and high fibre content.

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