Drink more Vaccinium macrocarpon!

     Vaccinium macrocarpon is a North American species of cranberry. Cranberry juice is a tart deep red drink that is commonly found in most grocery stores. Especially in its purest form cranberry juice is an amazing product. 

     Cranberries are regarded as a super food due to their antioxidant (substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals, unstable molecules that the body produces as a reaction to environmental and other pressures) and nutrient content. 

     Cranberries usually aren’t eaten raw because they have a sharp sour and bitter taste; they are most commonly consumed as sweetened juice or blended with other fruit juices. They can also be found in different forms: powder, sauce, extracts, dried and supplements. 

     Cranberries are small, red berries native to the United States and Canada that grow on creeping, low-lying vines, and do best in peat-based soil and damp conditions. They are closely related to blueberries, bilberries and huckleberries. The United States is the world’s largest producer of cranberries with the state of Wisconsin leading in production. 

     Cranberry juice has many health benefits. Some people drink it to help prevent urinary tract infections, but it offers several other health benefits. 

     In addition to antioxidants, cranberry juice offers small amounts of several vitamins and minerals, and it's an excellent source of vitamin C which plays many important roles. A powerful antioxidant, it helps stop free radicals from damaging cells and DNA in your body. This may help reduce the risk of developing various diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and more. Vitamin C also helps you heal after injuries, produce collagen, absorb iron, and boosts your immune system. 

     An 8 ounce glass of cranberry juice has approximately 20 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin E, which is essential for the health of skin, blood vessels, and heart. 

     Other antioxidants are mainly found in the skins of fresh cranberries. Since cranberry juice doesn’t contain the skins it has lower concentrations of these antioxidants. 

     Studies show that various ingredients in cranberry juice may improve heart health. There is growing evidence that the phytochemicals contained in cranberries play an important role in digestive health. Some chemicals in cranberries may help fight viruses and bacteria.

     For women the risk of heart problems increases after menopause compared to the risk in all other groups of people of the same age. Researchers found that daily cranberry consumption reduced total cholesterol, suggesting cranberry products might be useful dietary supplements after the menopause. 

     Are there side effects? Just as grapefruit contains compounds that may interfere with how the body absorbs some drugs, including some blood pressure medicines, some research has found that cranberry juice may interact with certain medications. 

     Canberries may intensify the effects of a blood thinner called warfarin and preliminary research suggests the possibility of interactions between cranberries and cyclosporine, flurbiprofen diclofenac, amoxicillin, ceflacor, midazolam and tizanidine. 

     People taking these drugs should talk to a doctor before using cranberry juice.

 

Further reading: Cranberries 101