Cranberry word been used for centuries as a food, but also for its medicinal properties. It is a small red berry that comes from North America and has already been used by Native Americans to treat bladder and kidney diseases. The first settlers who came from England were taught to use the berry raw or cooked to treat all kinds of ailments. These were due to the treatment of loss of appetite, digestive problems, blood diseases and scurvy to vitamin C deficiency. We know the cranberry actually the best as a means to urinary tract to fight infections.
The cranberry plant
Cranberry plants are native to North America, it is an evergreen shrub heath which is closely related to our cranberry and blueberry. Especially the red-black fruits appear in June and July that are used. Cranberry juice rich in antioxidants, substances that partly consist of proanthocyanidins, which give cranberries their vibrant colors. Antioxidants neutralize particles in the body known as free radicals. They will repair damage to cell membranes and destroy malignant cells. Cranberries are also an excellent source of vitamin C. There are still investigating trying to determine whether the antioxidant capacity of cranberries us can adequately protect against cardiovascular disease or cancer.Medicinal effect of cranberry
Prevention of urinary tract infections
A number of studies suggest that cranberry helps prevent urinary tract infections of the bladder and urinary tract in women who suffer from recurrent urinary tract infections. Its operation is the prevention of inflammation, not for its treatment. Cranberry juice would reduce the risk of a recurrent infection by 50%. In fact, cranberry proanthocyanidins are powerful antioxidants that prevent bacteria from attaching to the wall of the bladder and urinary tract. Two glasses of juice would provide sufficient protection.Prevention of gastric ulcers
studies could have been proven in recent years that the cranberry is also effective in the prevention of stomach ulcers. Because of the juice, the adhesion of the Helicobacter pylori would be prevented in the stomach wall.Prevention of heart and blood vessel disorders
The antioxidants found in the cranberry would protect the heart and blood vessels, by lowering LDL ( "bad" cholesterol), relaxing the blood vessels and the prevention of the formation of plaques in the arteries.Prevention against the development of cancers
A large amount of vitamin C and antioxidants may protect the body against cancer. In test tube experiments the cranberry extract appears to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, but this has not been proven in humans yet.Assistance in oral hygiene
Cranberry may make the growth of bacteria at the level of the gums and teeth around the counter. One must then use unsweetened cranberry juice that is free of bitter taste
Precautions for use
Also, the use of natural products, one must take account of certain side effects. They can enhance or reduce the effectiveness of certain medications. This is among other the case with blood thinning medications whereby the action is enhanced. Cranberry juice and cranberry supplements can generally be considered to be safe, even for pregnant women. Nevertheless, you should keep in mind that you can not replace antibiotic treatment by a juice treatment.Cranberry juice generally works preventively if the infection has been controlled. Due to the relatively high levels of oxalates, chemicals that increase the risk of kidney stones, the use of cranberry juice is not recommended for people with kidney stones or a predisposition to kidney stones. Because it contains most of the juice of cranberries much sugar is not recommended for this type diabetes patients.
