Superfood Spotlight: Cranberries Benefits and Recipes

How often do you eat cranberries? Once or twice a year with a helping of turkey?

The holidays are a time where cranberries get to enter the stage, but today I’d like to put them squarely in the spotlight as the superfood that they are.

Benefits of Cranberries

1. High in Antioxidants and Nutrients- These tart little berries carry a big punch when it comes to nutrient density.

2. Helps with UTIs- Cranberries have long been recommended as a way to help prevent or recover from a urinary tract infection. This is due to the antioxidant proanthocyanidins working to help shield the urinary tract from accumulating bacteria.

3. High in Vitamin C- Vitamin C is foundational to many functions of a healthy body including collagen production, immune defence, wound healing, and iron absorption.

4. Helps Regulate Blood Sugar, Reduce BMI and Ultimately Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease- Preliminary studies have shown that cranberry supplementation showed better blood sugar management, lower inflammation, and reduced BMI, all good indicators of a reduced risk of heart disease.

5. Slowing Cancer Progression- Compounds found in cranberries are showing promise in reducing inflammation, may slow the growth of cancer cells, and trigger the death in cancer cells when introduced in a test tube environment. The data is still preliminary, but optimistic.

Now that we’ve shown the amazing benefits of the cranberry, let’s have a look at some delicious ways to enjoy it year round!