Dried cranberries: benefits and harms to the body

Berry is quite common in our country. Collect it in the fall - in September or November. Cranberries are a natural antioxidant, with its help you can get rid of a number of colds, strengthen the protective functions of the body. Dried berry is in no way inferior to fresh in its healing properties.

Composition and calorie content

Dried sour berry contains many useful and valuable microelements for the body. The calorie content of dried berries is many times higher than that of fresh. 308 kcal per 100 grams of product.

Dried cranberries contain fiber, saturated fatty acids, disaccharides and monosaccharides, B, PP, C, E, K vitamins, as well as mineral elements: calcium, manganese, copper, phosphorus, sodium, zinc, selenium, and iron. Of the preservatives, only sugar is present here - a natural product whose content is 65%.

The berry contains such important elements:

1. Flavonoids. They are simply necessary for the body to normalize the functioning of blood vessels. Proper blood circulation prevents the development of atherosclerosis of the brain.
2. Pectins. They are necessary in order to remove harmful toxins from the body. Along with cleansing, normalization of the intestines.
3. Tannins. When the right amount of tannins enters the body, the human immune system strengthens, and the risk of acute respiratory viral infections is reduced, especially in the off-season.
4. Triterpenoids. Organic substances have an anti-inflammatory effect on the human body. Due to their content, dried berry is used to relieve inflammation in various organs.

What is the use of dried cranberries

General benefit

Valuable dried fruits are an excellent remedy for premature aging of the body. With their help, cystitis can be cured even in a chronic form. Decoctions of dried cranberries quickly relieve symptoms of a cold, help with kidney disease. Cranberries used to be the main cure for scurvy.

Among the important therapeutic effects on the body, the following should be noted:

1. Strengthening the protective functions of the body.
2. Favorable effect on physical performance and mental activity.
3. Normalization of water-salt balance in the body and blood pressure.
4. Slowing down the development of pathogenic microflora.
5. Activation of the normal functioning of the digestive system, kidneys and liver.
6. Cell cleansing. As a natural antioxidant, cranberries cleanse cells from free radicals, which prevents aging.
7. Favorable effect on the state of the nervous system. Anxiety and irritability pass, a healthy sleep normalizes.
8. A positive effect on the functions of the genitourinary system.

Dried cranberries are an indispensable product that is included in programs to lose weight. Cranberries help cleanse the intestines, removes excess water from the body and copes with edema remarkably.

For women

Dried cranberries are equally beneficial for both men and women. On a female body, dried berry has the following effects:

• eliminates avitominosis and strengthens the immune system;
• speeds up the metabolism when digesting food;
• treats rheumatism and joint diseases;
• favorably affects the heart and nervous system.

In addition, female beauty directly depends on the diet. Dried cranberries help you get younger. With the regular use of dried fruits, the hair becomes healthy and strong, the nail plates cease to exfoliate, and the skin acquires elasticity and firmness.

The female body needs constant care. It is important not only to saturate it with useful minerals and vitamins, but also to monitor the condition of the skin, hair and nails. Natural plant products have a beneficial effect on the skin condition. Cranberries enrich the epithelium with the necessary substances.

For men

The benefits to the male body are enormous. The presence of a large number of active substances eliminates many serious disorders in the body. Thanks to dried cranberries, immunity is strengthened, hormonal levels return to normal. With regular use of the product, the nervous system improves, the hemoglobin in the blood normalizes.

The use of funds based on this valuable berry can normalize sexual functions and cure prostatitis. Dried cranberry drinks are especially useful in the winter. At this time, cranberries can act as a prophylactic and medicine for colds.

Specialists have long revealed the ability of cranberries to have a positive effect in oncology. The beneficial substances contained in the product inhibit the growth of cancer cells and stop the development of a deadly disease.

During pregnancy

Women in the expectation of a child should pay special attention to their daily diet. Red berry enjoys special attention of pregnant women. Women in an interesting position need to eat dried cranberries. It is rich in trace elements and vitamins, so necessary for the full development of the child. Also, the woman’s body will receive additional strength to counter colds.

Dried cranberries can help get rid or ease the course of the disease. If a pregnant woman suffers from toxicosis and swelling, dried berries will help get rid of symptoms in a short time. Women are recommended to drink cranberry drinks if the water-salt balance in the body is disturbed. The berry will help with cystitis and pyelonephritis. It can be used at any stage of pregnancy.

When breastfeeding

After giving birth, dried cranberries are not recommended immediately. You need to wait about 2-3 months. Like any berry, cranberries can cause an allergic reaction in a small child. Therefore, when breastfeeding women need to reduce the use of dried cranberries to a minimum. On the day you can eat no more than 4-5 dried berries. They can be used as an independent product and added to various dishes, salads and baked goods.

Cranberries have the ability to thin the blood, so it can not be consumed with medications. Before use, be sure to consult a doctor.

For kids

The child’s body especially needs regular intake of vitamins and minerals. The fruits of dried cranberries have a positive effect on the body of the child. The appetite increases, the body's resistance to various viral and infectious diseases increases. If you regularly use dried cranberries, then you can get rid of dry and prolonged cough. For children, a special remedy based on cranberries and bee honey is used as a prophylactic for colds.A useful and tasty potion relieves the child of the first symptoms of the disease, perfectly fights the occurrence of constipation, saturates the body with the necessary vitamins.

Dried cranberries can be given to children in any form. It is added in the preparation of healthy and tonic drinks, in salads, cereals and desserts. Young children under 3 years of age are recommended to give only non-concentrated drinks based on dried cranberries.

Dried cranberries in medicine

The healing and nutritional properties of berries have long been recognized in traditional medicine. Since ancient times, with the help of a unique berry, they fought colds, tonsillitis and scurvy. Eating raw berries can help get rid of hemorrhoids and varicose veins. The amino acids contained in dried cranberries keep the blood vessels in good condition. The walls of blood vessels become more durable and elastic. The useful properties of cranberries are indispensable for people suffering from cancer.

Cranberry infusion is an excellent remedy for kidney stones. If you wipe your face with a cube of frozen cranberry juice in the morning, the skin will constantly look young and fresh. Cranberry compresses will help get rid of headache attacks. Berry-based ointments help faster healing of wounds and burns.

If you regularly use decoctions and infusions from dried cranberries, the intestines will be cleaned, the body will be freed of toxins and toxins, as well as cholesterol, which will favorably affect the pressure and work of the heart.

Harm and contraindications

Dried cranberries cannot be consumed by all, without exception. The berry can harm people prone to allergic reactions. Therefore, if you have never tried cranberries, you need to start with a few berries to look at the reaction of the body.

1. Young children are not recommended to give cranberry and berry juice. Dried fruits in limited quantities should be used by pregnant and lactating women.
2. Cranberries should not be consumed by people who suffer from increased acidity of gastric juice. It is forbidden to eat her with gastritis and ulcers. Acids, which are part of cranberries, can irritate the already weak walls of the stomach, causing pain. If you rub the berries with sugar, the negative effect on the stomach will soften somewhat. But you should not overeat.
3. Caution should be exercised for people with weakened tooth enamel. Cranberry acids negatively affect the condition of the teeth, and this can lead to tooth decay.

You do not need to drink pure cranberry juice, it is definitely worth diluting it with water and add sugar or honey to taste. After using the product, it is advisable to rinse your mouth with clean water to prevent acids from starting their destructive effect.

How to dry cranberries at home

Drying cranberries is one of the best ways to preserve all the vitamins and minerals of the northern berries. You can harvest from autumn to mid-winter.

Before starting the drying process, you must prepare the berry. Cranberries need to sort out and rinse well. To do this, it must be placed in a deep dish and pour cool water. Well washing the berry from the ground and debris, it must be placed in another dish using a slotted spoon. It is too early to start the drying process. First, the berries must be boiled for one minute. It is important not to overexpose them, otherwise they will be welded. Berries, by the way, must be selected ripe, dense and without visible damage.

You can dry cranberries in a natural way or use one of the household methods. Naturally dried berries are the best choice. Cranberries should be scattered in a thin layer on a baking sheet or tray and placed in a cool, well-ventilated place. Berries should be mixed regularly so that they are evenly dried.With this method, cranberries are dried for several days.

For drying a useful berry, it is quite possible to use an electric dryer, a microwave or an oven. In the oven, cranberries can be dried in about 7–9 hours. The temperature should not be more than 40–45 degrees, otherwise the useful berry may burn. As soon as she is wrinkled, the temperature can be increased to 70 degrees. During drying, cranberries should be stirred constantly and dry berries should be removed. It is necessary to carefully monitor that the finished product is well dried, only in this case its long-term storage is guaranteed without loss of valuable and useful properties.

How to store dried cranberries

Storage of dried cranberries is not particularly difficult. If the berry is dried correctly, then it can be safely stored for about a year. If the cranberries are not finished, then over time the berries will begin to mold and deteriorate.

Dry berries are best placed in glass containers or plastic dishes. The lids on the containers should close tightly. Put the berry in a darkened dry room, it is important to exclude any contact of the finished product with moisture. If there is increased humidity in the pantry or in the room, the product will quickly begin to damp and deteriorate.

What can I cook with dried cranberries: recipes

The healthy berry is suitable for consumption as an independent product, but is also often used as an ingredient in many dishes and drinks. Delicious drinks and fruit drinks are made from it, combining different fruits, berries and vegetables in them. Cranberries are added to various confectionery products, to main dishes, to vegetable salads. The benefits of berries know no boundaries, so the healing product is popular. Most often, people prefer dried cranberry drinks.

Cranberry juice

To prepare fruit drinks, berries must first be soaked in water so that they are softened. Then you need to knead them well in a deep bowl. The juice that stands out must be squeezed through a layer of gauze into a separate container. Put the spin in the pan, add water and put on fire. After the contents of the pan boil for 3-5 minutes, it must be filtered. Pour cranberry juice into the resulting broth, add sugar or honey to taste. After cooling completely, the fruit drink is ready for use.

Compote

A healthy drink can be prepared in several ways. It is recommended to add other berries, this will give the compote a slightly different taste. Preparing a drink is very simple. It is necessary to take dried cranberries and place in a prepared container, pour water there and put on a stove for boiling. Add sugar to taste. If you like more sugary drinks, then you need to put more sugar. After everything boils, boil the compote for several minutes and remove from heat. Berries can be left as part of the drink or taken out and consumed separately.

Dried Cranberries Salad

Valuable and tasty berry will make any dish unique. You can cook a great variety of salads with cranberries. The quality of the berries will not only improve the taste of the finished dish, but also make the appearance of the salad more interesting.

Salad Recipe with Apples, Pine Nuts, and Cranberries
To make a salad, you will need the following products:

• Pine nuts;
• dried cranberries;
• an Apple;
• hard cheese or processed cheese;
• honey;
• olive oil;
• common salt;
• mustard and ground pepper.

Rinse dried cranberries. Honey is better to choose a natural, liquid consistency. If honey is just thickened, you can melt it in a water bath. For dressing, mix pepper, mustard, honey, salt and olive oil, cut apples into thin slices, cheese into cubes. Put spinach leaves on a dish or in a salad bowl, put apples, cheese on top, pour cranberries and pine nuts. Pour all this with honey dressing.

Salad Recipe with Cranberries, Cabbage and Apple
For this nutritious vitamin salad you will need the following components:

• white cabbage - 400 grams;
• sweet apple - 1 pc.;
• dried cranberries - 100 grams;
• onions - 1 pc.;
• green onion - 1 bunch;
• carrots - 1 pc.:

For refueling, you need to take the following products:

• sour cream - 4 tbsp. spoons;
• mayonnaise - 2 tbsp. spoons;
• honey - 2 tbsp. spoons;
• pepper, salt and vinegar to taste.

First you need to prepare a dressing. To do this, mix the prepared components in a separate deep dish. Now you can start cutting vegetables. Cabbage must be cut into small strips, the smaller the better. You can cut apples in any way, only at the very end so that they do not darken. Grate the carrots on a coarse grater, chop the onion in any convenient way. Place all prepared vegetables in a deep salad bowl, add a handful of cranberries to them, and dressing on top. After the salad is well mixed, you can try the culinary masterpiece.

Cranberry Interesting Facts

1. The name cranberries is translated from Latin as “sour berry”, which fully corresponds to the present description of the north berry.
2. From one small compact shrub annually you can collect about 200-300 healthy berries.
3. For consumption, not only cranberry berries, but also leaves are used. They are added to tea, various healing infusions and decoctions.
4. In Canada and America, locals cultivate large cranberries, which do not sink in the water at all, since the fruits contain air chambers. This is one of the few berries with such a unique ability. Before you start collecting cranberries, the fields are specially flooded with water so that you can quickly and conveniently pick berries with special equipment.
5. Cranberry fruits are almost 90 percent water.
6. Some cranberry bushes are able to live for about a hundred years, they do not grow more than 30 cm, but there are specimens up to 50 cm in height.
7. In America, the Indians made a special paste of cranberry fruit. It was made in order to extend the shelf life of dried meat.
8. If you place fresh berries in wooden barrels of water, then they can be there until the next harvest and not deteriorate at all.
9. Cranberry juice can help get rid of an infection in the genitourinary system. The berry does not allow intestinal bacteria to linger on the walls of the bladder, and helps to eliminate them from the body with urine.
10. Ripe cranberries tend to bounce if they fall on a hard surface.

The northern useful berry is not to everyone's taste, but definitely all people recognize its healing properties. It can be used in raw form as an independent product, frozen for the winter, dried for future use, and also added to different dishes. Cranberries are suitable for both hot meat dishes and sweet desserts.

Cranberries are a real storehouse of vitamins. With the regular use of healthy berries, the immune system strengthens, nervous irritation goes away, the functioning of the heart and digestive system normalizes. You will not be afraid of colds and tonsillitis. If the dosage is observed, then the body can be completely cured of many diseases.

Photo of dried cranberries