Cranberry juice: benefits and harms to the human body, composition and recipes
Cranberry juice: benefits and harms to the human body, composition and recipes
Anonim

Cranberry juice… Benefits and harm to the human body, the chemical composition and taste of the product, unique folk recipes and features of the preparation of the drink - all this and much more will be learned by readers from this article.

About the magic berry

Cranberry grows mainly in the Northern Hemisphere and in swampy areas. The berry differs from others in that it contains an unimaginable amount of useful substances and vitamins. The healing properties of cranberries were known even in the times of Ancient Russia. So, instead of the currently habitual tea or coffee in the morning, our ancestors drank a glass of "zvartsa", which included this delicacy.

Cranberry juice is an excellent anti-cold and anti-inflammatory agent. Decoctions and infusions of berries have antiseptic and strengthening properties. In addition, fruit drink is an excellent remedy for thirst on a hot summer day.

cranberry juice benefit and harm
cranberry juice benefit and harm

Cranberry is a perennial shrub with thin stems creeping along the ground. In the people, the plant has several names. This is everyone's favorite and revered "crane" or "sour doctor".

Cranberry juice: benefits and harms

The composition of this drink is still being improved - at present, scientists are carefully studying the beneficial properties and characteristics of this berry, and each time their efforts are crowned with success. So, you should take a closer look at the chemical composition of the berry:

  • Micronutrients: potassium, copper, chromium, iron, tin, magnesium, etc.
  • A huge amount of vitamins, among which there are a large number of elements of group B and E.
  • Significant proportion of vitamin C (about 20%).
  • Fructose, sucrose and glucose.
  • Pectin and organic acids.

Cranberries are used to make jams and jams. Berries are harvested for the winter, and also stored in bulk in the freezer. When the cold comes, they make delicious cranberry juice. The benefits and harms of this drink are known to more than one generation.

cranberry juice benefits and harms for children
cranberry juice benefits and harms for children

Useful properties of cranberries

The beneficial properties of this berry were known back in the days of Ancient Russia. So, in the XVI century, decoctions and infusions of cranberries were used as an anti-inflammatory agent. Berry juice was also used to lubricate wounds and cuts. Currently, most scientists and doctors agree that cranberries enhance the effect of the most common antibiotics. evergreen leavescranberries are effectively used in folk medicine for the preparation of herbal preparations that help to effectively remove stones from the kidneys. Cranberry juice, the benefits and harms of which are being studied to this day, not only quenches thirst on a summer day, but also helps to bring down a high temperature, and is also used to normalize the activity of the gastrointestinal tract.

cranberry juice benefits and harms during pregnancy
cranberry juice benefits and harms during pregnancy

Contraindications

In some cases, cranberries and products that contain them may not have a beneficial effect and even be harmful. For example, the berry is contraindicated for those who have an acute intolerance to any substance or auxiliary element that is part of the cranberry. It's about allergies. At the slightest sign of intolerance - redness, itching or rash - stop taking the product immediately.

With extreme caution, cranberry products are consumed during breastfeeding, and the reaction of a small child under the age of three should also be carefully monitored. In no case should you give berries and cranberry products to those who suffer from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, ulcers) during an exacerbation. By the way, experts in the field of medicine strongly recommend not to take cranberry juice in its pure form on an empty stomach. It is better to dilute it with water - this will not provoke excessive secretion of gastric juice. In general, cranberry products are best consumed as a dessert - after the main meal.

cranberry juicebenefits and harms to the kidneys
cranberry juicebenefits and harms to the kidneys

Dentists are also not very good-natured about this berry. In their opinion, the amino acids contained in cranberries contribute to the rapid destruction of tooth enamel.

Using treats

How to use cranberries? Surely the first thing that comes to mind is cranberry juice, the benefits and harms of which are currently known throughout the world. In order to prepare this drink, you just need to pour fresh berries with boiling water and add sugar. This cooking method will allow you to save the most useful properties and enjoy the unsurpassed taste of cranberry juice.

However, there is also a traditional way of preparing this drink. To do this, you need to grind 0.5 kg of fresh cranberries (you can do this with a blender), squeeze the juice and pour the remaining berries with one liter of boiled water, put on fire, bring to a boil and keep in this state for another 10 minutes. Strain the resulting broth through cheesecloth, add the remaining juice, sugar to taste and leave until completely cooled.

Benefits of cranberries for the body

The benefits and harms of cranberries have not been thoroughly studied. However, there are several obvious factors that have been proven empirically. So, this berry is distinguished by a high content of tannin - a substance that effectively fights inflammatory processes in the body. Cranberries excellently treat diseases of the genitourinary system. Cranberry juice is very effective in these cases. The benefits and harms to the kidneys are determined individually. In addition, berries are present inthe maximum amount of magnesium and vitamin C. This makes cranberries useful as an aid in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Regular consumption of cranberry products significantly reduces the formation of blood clots.

cranberry juice benefit and harm composition
cranberry juice benefit and harm composition

Cranberry juice has a lot of useful properties. The benefits and harms of pregnancy are not yet fully understood. One thing is clear - products from this berry should be used with extreme caution in case of possible manifestations of an allergic reaction.

Cranberries for kids

As already mentioned, cranberries have a lot of useful properties and qualities. Young children under the age of three should be extremely careful when trying cranberry products. It is advisable to treat the kids with jam or jam after the main meal. On a hot summer day, you can offer your child cranberry juice. The benefits and harms for children are determined on an individual basis. So, an allergy to any component that is part of cranberries suggests that eating it is highly undesirable.

the benefits of cranberries for the body the benefits and harms of cranberries
the benefits of cranberries for the body the benefits and harms of cranberries

However, everyone knows that cranberry drink is an excellent antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent. And this means that with a cold, cranberries are an indispensable assistant. This berry is famous for its beneficial properties. That is why it is worth considering in which cases it will become an effective medicine or an adjuvant.

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