Cranberries Health Benefits – How Cranberry Prevent Urinary Tract Infection

Health Benefits Of Cranberries

Cranberries are a group of evergreen shrubs which are small and red in color. They are members of the vaccinum family, the same family as the blueberry or bilberry. They are found in the cooler parts of the Northern Hemisphere, mainly in the northern parts of the United States of America. Cranberries can be consumed as a whole, as a juice or extractions from the berry. It is recommended that for maximum health benefits, cranberry juice should be consumed without added sugar. Cranberries are not only tasty but also are important for a number of health benefits wherein researches and various studies have proved that cranberries are the top among the vaccinum family when it comes to health benefits. Like the other fruits in this family, they contain a rich amount of anti oxidants which protect the body cells from damage and prevent diseases like cancer, heart strokes and even viral infections. Cranberries contain active ingredients including chemical compounds like proanthocynadins which are anti oxidants that help to reduce the bacterial adherence in the bladder. One of the best known health benefits now known is the prevention and pain relief of any urinary tract infections. Many people take supplements of cranberry to prevent bacterial infections in the urinary tract. Basically, the anti oxidants work as cleaners and clean out the sticky strands of the bacteria that tend to stick to the cell walls of the uterus and the bladder.

Cranberry juice also helps in the reduction of bacteria that cause dental plaque. Based on various studies, it is suggested that the proanthocynadins compounds in the cranberry juice help in preventing any kind of cancer activity. Extracts of cranberry have shown to inhibit low density lipoprotein oxidation which is a process believed to be a reason for heart diseases. Hence, prevention of oxidation through the supplements of cranberries could reduce risks of heart diseases. A very important part of making the most of the health benefits of cranberries is choosing the right kind of cranberries. The best quality of cranberries is the one that bounce and the ones that are rich in their color. One should avoid buying cranberries in boxes as they sometimes contain a lot of soft or brown berries. To keep cranberries fresher and to be used over a long period of time, make sure that they are refrigerated well. They need to be kept cool so that they can be preserved for long periods lasting to a year.