Cranberry health benefits and natural remedies
Cranberries are well known for treating urinary tract infections, but they do much more – from cardiovascular protection to cancer prevention.
The phytonutrients in cranberries include phenolic acids, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and triterpenoids and they are high in fiber, vitamin C, and manganese.
Cranberry extracts support the immune system and have been proven to reduced the risk of colds and flu. Cranberries help the entire digestive tract from aiding in gum health in the mouth through supporting the balance of bacteria in the gut. The proanthocyanidins in cranberries inhibit bacteria from latching onto the lining of the urinary tract and the stomach lining (preventing ulcers).
Cranberries are both an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant, especially when the berries are eaten as a whole food. The anti-inflammatory properties reduce inflammation in the stomach, the colon and the cardiovascular system. In the vascular system, these properties inhibit the formation of plaque on the vessel walls. Studies have confirmed that cranberries help prevent cancer, specifically breast, colon, prostate, and lung cancer.
Source: Natural News
Published: 26 Nov 2014
Category: Features, Wellness and Complementary Therapies
