You have probably already heard that cranberries, or cranberry juice, can help prevent and cure urinary tract infections (UTI’s). This is pretty common knowledge that just about any doctor will tell you. What you might have not known is that cranberries can do a whole lot more than just ward of urinary tract infections. Here, we will take a much closer look at some of the main health benefits that cranberries have to offer.
Cranberries Can Provide Heart-Healthy Benefits
Research has shown that cranberries offer a lot of heart-healthy benefits. Cranberries are known to help lower your total cholesterol levels, including your LDL. Your blood flow is also increased when you eat cranberries. It is also believed that eating cranberries will help reduce your risk of developing heart disease or stroke. Of course, there will probably be more studies in the future about the heart-healthy benefits of cranberries.
Cranberries Can Prevent Certain Types of Cancer
Certain types of cancer may be prevented when you choose to incorporate cranberries into your diet. The reason is because cranberries contain flavonoids, which are credited for offering anti-cancer benefits. It is widely believed that tumors will be prevented when you eat cranberries. It is believed that breast cancer can be prevented when you choose to add cranberries to your diet, though you can expect to see more studies in the future about cranberries and their cancer prevention properties.
Cranberries are known to protect the mouth against formation of bacteria. What this ultimately means is that plaque, which can lead to both gum disease and cavities, is also prevented when you choose to eat cranberries. Many companies are trying to add properties in cranberries which are known to fight against bacteria in the mouth to certain mouthwashes and toothpastes, but chances are that you will probably not see these products appear on the market for years to come.
Cranberries Can Help Prevent and Cure Stomach Conditions
These berries are known to protect the stomach against the type of bacteria which causes stomach ulcers. The same type of bacteria is responsible for cancer of the stomach and certain gastrointestinal conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Adding cranberries to your diet is one of the best ways to protect yourself against developing any of these conditions and many believe that you can even “cure” ulcers or symptoms experienced due to stomach conditions.
Cranberries May Offer Protection Against Herpes
One study has shown that cranberries can offer you protection against the sexually transmitted disease, Herpes. The reason that it is believed to work is due to an anti-viral property that cranberries are known to offer, which protects the body from being affected by the Herpes virus. Unfortunately, there has not yet been enough testing about this health benefit of cranberries. You can expect to see more in the future though. Many are speculating that cranberries may also help prevent the sexually transmitted disease Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), due to the fact that it is also a virus. Hopefully, future studies will help provide more information about this!
Cranberries Offer Additional Benefits
Aside from the previously mentioned benefits of cranberries, there are many other benefits that cranberries are believed to offer. Since cranberries are such a significant source of Vitamin C, they are known to boost your immunity and protect against colds. They are also recognized as a very good source of fiber. Lastly, cranberries are known to help protect your eyesight, much the same way that carrots are believed to do so.
If you choose to take advantage of these health benefits by drinking cranberry juice, it is important to keep in mind that drinking unsweetened cranberry juice is best – in order to avoid all of the extra sugar that has been added to sweetened cranberry juice. A serving size of cranberry juice would be 6 – 8 oz. As for the actual cranberry fruit, a serving size would be about 1.2 oz.
As you can see, cranberries can do a whole lot for your body besides ward off urinary tract infections. These are just some of the many health benefits that you can take advantage of by choosing to incorporate cranberries into your daily diet.
