| With the holiday season just around the corner, | | | | Likewise, a compound in cranberries is known to |
| cranberries will start to make their yearly appearance | | | | keep Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that causes |
| in Thanksgiving and other seasonal meals. Their tangy | | | | most gastric ulcers, from adhering to the cells of the |
| flavor and bright red color make them a favorite this | | | | stomach lining. |
| time of year (it's also when they're most plentiful, as | | | | Cranberries and Your Teeth |
| their peak season runs from October to December). | | | | A study published in Critical Reviews in Food Science |
| But flavor and color aside, there's another reason to | | | | and Nutrition in 2002 found that compounds in |
| enjoy cranberries (and even make them part of your | | | | cranberry juice are great for your oral health. They |
| diet year-round)--they're incredibly nutritious and | | | | help to dissolve aggregates formed by many oral |
| great for your health. | | | | bacteria while decreasing the level of Streptococus |
| Cranberries and Your Heart | | | | mutans, the major cause of tooth decay. |
| Studies have found that cranberries reduce the risk | | | | Tasty Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season |
| of heart disease. Most recently, a study presented at | | | | The best part about all of this is that cranberries are |
| the annual congress of the International Union of | | | | not, like some health foods, hard to swallow. In fact, |
| Physiological Sciences in March/April 2005 found that | | | | they add a unique, tart flavor to all kinds of dishes, |
| pigs with atherosclerosis (a primary causes of heart | | | | including these three recipes for everyone's holiday |
| disease) that received a daily dose of cranberry | | | | favorite: cranberry sauce. Enjoy! |
| powder had restored blood vessel health. | | | | Traditional Cranberry Sauce (No Sugar Added!) |
| Other studies have also found that people who drink | | | | Ingredients: |
| cranberry juice have higher levels of good (HDL) | | | | 1 12oz bag of fresh or frozen cranberries |
| cholesterol and may have improved blood vessel | | | | 1 cup fresh orange juice |
| function. | | | | 1 tsp minced fresh ginger |
| Antioxidant Powerhouses | | | | 1 tsp minced orange zest |
| Cranberries are a rich source of antioxidants, | | | | 1/4 tsp cinnamon |
| according to the Cranberry Institute, a trade | | | | 1/2 cup crushed pineapple |
| association for cranberry growers. In a study funded | | | | 1/2 cup honey |
| by the Institute it was found that: | | | | Directions: |
| "Cranberries contained the most antioxidant phenols | | | | - Bring orange juice, ginger, zest and cinnamon to a |
| compared to 19 commonly eaten fruits. Cranberries | | | | boil on high heat in a medium saucepan. |
| are loaded with antioxidants and should be eaten | | | | - Rinse cranberries and add once liquid is boiling. |
| more often," said study author Joe Vinson, Ph.D., | | | | Reduce heat to medium and cook uncovered for |
| research chemist at the University of Scranton in | | | | about 10 minutes. |
| Pennsylvania. | | | | - Add crushed pineapple and honey. Remove from |
| Other studies also rank cranberries as leaders in | | | | heat and cool. |
| phenolic compound content. "These antioxidants may | | | | Recipe from The World's Healthiest Foods |
| play a role in helping to prevent heart disease and | | | | Spicy Cranberry Sauce |
| certain cancers," Vinson said. | | | | Ingredients: |
| Cranberries Fight Cancer | | | | 1 1/2 cups water |
| Certain compounds in cranberries have been found to | | | | 1 orange (including juice and finely chopped rind) |
| be toxic to many cancer tumor cell lines, including: | | | | 2 cups sugar |
| - Lung cancer | | | | 1 piece stick cinnamon |
| - Cervical cancer | | | | 4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries |
| - Prostate cancer | | | | Directions: |
| - Breast cancer | | | | - Cook first 4 ingredients together for 5 minutes. |
| - Leukemia | | | | - Add cranberries. Cook until the berries stop popping. |
| One study, for instance, published in the June 2004 | | | | - Cool without stirring. |
| Journal of Nutrition, found that whole cranberries | | | | Recipe from The Cranberry Lady |
| inhibit prostate, skin, lung and brain cancer cells. | | | | Cranberry Chutney |
| Experts believe a compound in the whole cranberry | | | | Ingredients: |
| (not just the juice) is responsible for this effect. | | | | 2 cups chopped Braeburn apple |
| Unique "Anti-Adhering" Properties | | | | 2 cups whole cranberries |
| Cranberries possess a unique ability to inhibit bacteria, | | | | 1/4 cup chopped onion |
| including E. coli, from adhering to the urinary tract. | | | | 3/4 cup brown sugar |
| This is why cranberry juice is often recommended to | | | | 1/2 cup golden raisins |
| prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Cranberries | | | | 1/2 cup white vinegar |
| also contain hippuric acid, which is antibacterial and | | | | 1/2 tsp. chopped garlic |
| helpful for warding off UTIs. | | | | 1 medium red pepper chopped |
| But cranberries' anti-adhering properties are helpful for | | | | 1 Tbsp grated ginger root (or 1 tsp ground ginger) |
| much more than your urinary tract. A study published | | | | Directions: |
| in the October 2004 issue of the Journal of Science, | | | | - Combine all in a non-aluminum kettle. |
| Food and Agriculture found that an antiviral | | | | - Simmer until all fruits and vegetables are tender, |
| compound in cranberries called proanthocyanidin A-1 | | | | about 20-30 minutes. |
| inhibits the herpes virus from attaching to and | | | | - Stir often to prevent scorching. |
| penetrating the genitals. | | | | |