by Shannon Farlouis

Created on: November 12, 2009

Cranberries are a great American tradition for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The health benefits of cranberries are many. They are an excellent source of fiber. Cranberries contain vitamins and minerals. The Native Americans even used cranberries for dye, food, and wound medicine. The dye was used to dye rugs and blankets. Eight raw cranberries contain about 46 calories. Cranberries are rich in vitamins A, C, and K. They also contain beta carotene, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and lutein. They are very healthy for you and have a high source of antioxidants which protect the cardiovascular system and immune system.

Cranberries are known to prevent bladder infections and prevent plaque that starts tooth decay. Cranberries can be eaten fresh and used to make juice, wine, cakes, jelly, sauce and toppings for desserts. They are an excellent garnish to yor holiday meal in which they add color and flavor. Cranberries are also known to slow the formation of kidney stones. Sweetened dried cranberries are a perfect snack and are delicious eaten with mixed nuts, or even added to cereal.

The United States is the leader in the production of cranberries and they are harvested in the fall. They have a distinctive deep red color. The cranberry is a member of the evergreen shrub. Cranberries are usually grown in the northern part of the United States. Cranberries are related to blueberries and huckleberries. Cranberries frozen will keep up to nine months and can also be used frozen in recipes.

In Massachusetts there is celebrated a cranberry harvest where people from all over the nation go to see the beauty of the cranberries being harvested. Cranberries served with roasted turkey is delicious. Cranberries are fat free and cholesterol free. The antioxidants found in cranberries are anthrocyanins, ellagic acid, resveratrol, selenium, and quercetin. Antioxidants from food are more beneficial to your health.

There is new research that cranberries play a role in preventing plaque from attaching itself to teeth. Cranberries even play an important role in dental health. New research also shows that cranberries can reduce stomach ulcers. Cranberries rank among the top five fruits with a high antioxidant level. Cranberries should be added to an important part of your everyday dieting. Kids will enjoy a healthful snack of cranberries also. They may even be baked in to muffins. Frozen cranberries are great to eat and bake in cakes. Add a handful of fresh or dried cranberries to your cereal. Delicious!

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