Dietary Recommendations

Recent research has shown that, in order to get the full benefits from this fruit, you need to eat the whole fruit as only the skin and contains the bulk of the nutrients which offer us health benefits and the synergy between the various parts of the fruit afford the greatest benefit to consumers.

It is recommended to include berries at least 3-4 times per week as part of your five a day. Some nutritionists go as far as recommending that the berries are consumed on a daily basis, especially by people who are susceptible to UTIs.

Recent Research Findings

Nutritional Findings
To get the full benefit from these fruits, you should not take the fruit in juice form according to World’s Healthiest Foods. They emphasize the fact that recent research has shown that “ The cranberry "presscake" - or what is left behind in terms of skins and flesh after the juice has been processed out - typically contains the bulk of the phytonutrients“. The other disadvantage is that the juice contains a lot of added sugar, which is bad for your arteries and for your general health.

Urinary Tract Protection
Recent research has shown that it is not the acidity of the berries (as was previously thought), but the unusual nature of their proanthocyanidins (PACs) that is related to prevention of Urinary Tract Infections (UITs). The structure of these PACs acts as a barrier to the bacteria which cause UTIs. Research into this has shown that this extraordinary fruit might have other benefits. The barriers to bacteria which infects the lining of the urinary tract might also extend to the stomach lining and protect against stomach ulcers

Cardiovascular and Liver Benefits
Recent studies have also shown that whole berries also offer protection to the cardiovascular system and liver. Whole berries are necessary to get the antioxidant benefits, anti-inflammatory benefits, and anti-cancer benefits of also.

Anti-Cancer Properties
Scientists have also identified the mechanisms behind the fruit's anti-cancer properties. Including the ability to trigger off programmed cell death in tumor cells. The cancer-preventive benefits are now known to extend to cancers of the breast, colon, lung, and prostate.

The Benefits of Water-Harvesting

Research has also shown that the way that the berries are grown and harvested may increase their health benefits.

Water harvesting has become a method of choice as it facilitates the gathering process. The berries are grown in bogs and then floated in the water for harvesting.

It now appears that the anthocyanin content of this fruit (the phytonutrients that give the berries their amazing red color) is increased in direct proportion to the amount of natural sunlight striking the berry. Therefore water harvesting indirectly increases the unique antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the cranberry.

(Source: Worlds Healthiest Foods)

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