Cranberry season has arrived!
Our fresh frozen organically grown cranberries are now available for you to order and enjoy this holiday season and beyond. Following a tradition that began in 1621 at the first Thanksgiving gathering, cranberries continue to be prepared and served as a staple of Thanksgiving dinners to this day. However, they can be enjoyed year-round, added to cakes, muffins, breads and cereals; served as smoothies, enjoyed as a sauce, and as a juice. Ordering Northwest Wild Foods fresh frozen organic cranberries has two additional benefits: frozen berries can be kept up to one year according to Ocean Spray and used directly in recipes without thawing. In addition, chemical-free organic farming is environmentally responsible, lowering pollution in nearby streams and lakes.
Nutritional Benefits of Cranberries
Cranberries provide substantial health benefits due to their high concentrations of life-enhancing nutrients. In fact, cranberries contain some of the highest concentrations of phytonutrients and antioxidants of any fruit! These nutrients aid in the prevention of chronic diseases due to the reduction of general inflammation and an improved immune response.
Some of the most powerful phytonutrients and antioxidants in cranberries include:
• Anthocyanins: clinical studies show that this class of antioxidants promotes better health by lowering cholesterol levels, fostering weight loss, and fighting breast cancer.
• Quercetin: has been proven effective in reducing allergic reactions, improving joint pain and reducing arterial wall inflammation.
• Proanthocyanins: has powerful antiseptic properties, reducing the risk of bacterial infection of the urinary tract and bladder and even moderating acne outbreaks.
• Epicatechins: they have shown therapeutic effects against heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Health Benefits of Cranberries
1. Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Cranberries are already known as a kind of home remedy for UTIs. The proanthocyanins in cranberries prevent bacterial infection of the inner lining of the bladder and urinary tract, making cranberries an effective agent against UTIs When reviewers compared cranberry juice with water for the prevention of UTIs in a variety of populations, results showed that over a one-year period, cranberries reduced the overall incidence of UTIs by 35 %. They also reduced the annual rate of new infections in women with recurring UTIs by 39 %.
2. Oral Health
The same type of proanthocyanins that help prevent UTIs also improve oral health by inhibiting the growth of bacteria in the mouth. This is accomplished by reducing the amount of harmful acid in the mouth, preventing not only cavities but also gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer.
3. Decreased Inflammation
Inflammation is the cause of many chronic conditions, including heart disease, autoimmune disease, cancer, diabetes and more. Inflammation occurs when the body’s immune system over-reacts, working to eliminate toxins that may come from an unhealthy diet, pollution or other factors. A diet that is low in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory foods may result in abnormally high levels of free radicals within the body. Free radicals are a product of metabolism. These free radicals can cause inflammation, and they increase the risk of chronic diseases. Adding antioxidant-rich foods like cranberries is a natural way to fight the effects of free radicals and relieve inflammation.
4. May Help Prevent Certain Cancers
Clinical studies indicate that cranberries’ antioxidant content may be helpful in preventing the growth of up to 17 types of cancers, including breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer potentially because of their ability to slow the growth of cancerous cells.
5. Improved Immune Function
The high levels of proanthocyanins found in cranberries help the body’s immune system defend against illness and disease. These powerful polyphenols are able to nurture the lining of the gut, where a majority of the immune system is actually located, and prevent harmful bacteria from accumulating and growing there. This allows healthy bacteria to thrive and create a powerful defense against illness and infection.
6. Benefit the Digestive Tract
Cranberries are believed to have detoxifying diuretic properties. They help the body eliminate toxins and buildup, plus aid in relieving water retention and bloating. Recent research shows that cranberries help to optimize the balance of bacteria in the entire digestive tract. Cranberries act similarly to the probiotics found in yogurt to create an environment of healthy “gut flora.”
7. Reduced Risk of Heart Disease
Studies indicate that adding cranberries to your diet could come with a number of benefits to heart health due to their ability to inhibit blood clotting, reduce blood pressure and decrease inflammation. In one study, consuming cranberry juice reduced several risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, high triglyceride levels, lower levels of “bad” cholesterol and increase levels of “good” cholesterol, and lower insulin resistance.
Remember….
Our delicious cranberries are waiting for you! Ordering Northwest Wild Foods fresh frozen organic cranberries may be one of your best food decisions of the year, combining great taste with great health benefits.