by Caroline Fraissinet

Created on: May 10, 2008   Last Updated: June 16, 2008

Although popular in combination with other foods, cranberries are not always the most popular fruit on its own. However, in nutritional value, it certainly has its own legs to stand on. The cranberry is one of the healthiest foods that a person can incorporate into their diet, and recent studies by researchers at Rutgers University have proven the overwhelmingly positive effects that a diet incorporating cranberries can have on a person's health.

Cranberries are extremely rich in antioxidants, which strengthen cells and help the body to defend against damage and disease. They also, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, contain proanthocyanidine, a compound that protects against plaque buildup on teeth. Cranberry consumption has been linked to prevention of tumor growth and certain tests have shown that chemicals present in cranberries have prevented breast cancer cells from growing in test tubes. Cranberries, as reported by USDA scientists at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, can also fight characteristic traits of aging such as loss of coordination or memory (a sort of small-scale Elixir of Life, if you will).

If you prefer to get your daily dosage of cranberries in juice or cocktail form, you unlock even more nutritional benefits. Cranberry juice has been used as a remedy for urinary tract infection by indigenous cultures for centuries, because a compound within the fruit prevents bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract. It is because of this same compound that cranberry juice can also aid against stomach cancer and ulcers by preventing adhesion. Cranberry juice can also help to rid the body of bad cholesterol and replenish the good; out with the old, in with the new!

Cranberries are a mere 45 calories per serving and can be an delicious as a snack or as an addition to any meal. They are filled with nutrients that can help fight off disease and put you in the best possible shape that you can be in. So stop having the cranberry play second-fiddle to another fruit; when you put it center-stage in your diet, your health is sure to shine.

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