Cranberries

The name “cranberry” derives from the Pilgrim name for the fruit, “craneberry”, because the small, pink blossoms that appear in the spring resemble the head and bill of a Sandhill crane. The cranberry is one of North America’s three native fruits, blueberries and the Concord grape completes that list.

Cranberries grow on vines and undamaged cranberry vines will survive indefinitely. Some vines in Massachusetts are more than 150 years old. Native Americans used cranberries in a variety of foods, the most popular was pemmican – a high protein combination of crushed cranberries, dried deer meat and melted fat – they also used it as a medicine to treat arrow wounds and as a dye for rugs and blankets.

Cranberries are said to have many health benefits in addition to helping offset some health conditions that are listed:

• Urinary Tract Infections – Many people take cranberry supplements to prevent urinary tract infections caused by bacteria. Specifically, the proanthocyanidins found in cranberry appear to block the adhesive strands on the E. coli bacteria from sticking to a surface whereby inhibiting their ability to stick to the cell walls of the uterus and bladder.
• Reduction of Dental Plaque – It is believed that cranberry juice can inhibit the aggregation of bacteria that cause dental plaque.
• Anti-Cancer Activity – Based on evaluation of several vitro screening tests, it has been suggested that the proanthocyanidin compounds found in cranberry may exhibit some anti-carcinogenic activity.
• Heart Disease – Cranberry extract has been shown to inhibit low density lipoprotein oxidation. Since this process is believed to be part of what can cause heart disease, prevention of oxidation through cranberry supplementation can potentially reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Kidney stones – Some medical professionals and specialists believe that quinic acid abundant in cranberry may help to prevent the development of kidney stones.

When selecting cranberries remember fresh is always better, fresh then dried cranberries retain the most antioxidants; bottled cranberry drinks and cranberry cocktails with added sugars or low calorie sweeteners contain the least amount of antioxidants. The deeper red their color, the more highly concentrated cranberries are.