Nutrition Corner - Cranberries

6D Living
11 minutes ago
2 min read

Your body breaks carbohydrates down into a simple sugar called glucose, which is your body’s favorite form of fuel. Most of the natural sugars in cranberries are already in the form of glucose and about a third of the carbohydrates in cranberries (4 grams per cup) are fibers. Fibers are difficult to digest, so they help food to pass smoothly through your body. They also help keep hunger and blood sugar under control.

1 Cup Raw, unsweetened cranberries

Calories: 46

Water: 87%

Protein: 0.4 grams

Carbs: 12.2 grams

Sugar: 4 grams

Fiber: 4.6 grams Fat: 0.1 grams

Cranberries are a rich source of several vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin C. Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is one of the predominant antioxidants in cranberries. It is essential for the maintenance of your skin, muscles, and bone.

Manganese. Found in most foods, manganese is essential for growth, metabolism, and your body’s antioxidant system.

Vitamin E. A class of essential fat-soluble antioxidants.

Vitamin K1. Also known as phylloquinone, vitamin K1 is essential for blood clotting and bone health.

Copper. A trace element, often low in the Western diet.

Inadequate copper intake may have adverse effects on cardiovascular health.

UTI’s are most often caused by the intestinal bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli), which attaches itself to the inner surface of your bladder and urinary tract. Cranberries contain unique phytonutrients known as Atype proanthocyanidins or condensed tannins. A-type

proanthocyanidins prevent E. coli from attaching to the lining of your bladder and urinary tract, making cranberries a potential preventive measure against UTIs. A-type proanthocyanidins, may also cut your risk of stomach cancer by preventing H. pylori from attaching to the lining of your stomach.

A 2016 review of 34 preclinical studies revealed that cranberries or compounds in cranberries had several beneficial effects on cancer cells in test tubes. The review also suggested that cranberries can affect several other mechanisms that promote cancer growth and spread.

The benefits found in the study (link above) included:

Triggering the death of cancer cells

Slowing the growth of cancer cells

Reducing inflammation