Cranberry

Dried cranberries are made by partially dehydrating fresh cranberries, a process similar to making grapes into raisins. They are popular in trail mix, salads, breads, with cereals, or eaten on their own. You get a high dose of proanthocyanidins (PACs) when you eat cranberries. PACs are antioxidants that prevent UTI-causing bacteria from sticking to your urinary tract walls. They prevent infection.Research indicates that cranberries help bring down the risk of cardiovascular disease. Cranberries have polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties. Polyphenols help bring down hypertension to prevent platelet buildup – and, as a result, lower your risk of cardiovascular problems.Cranberries have nutrients that keep you from getting tumors. These nutrients also help slow down the enlargement of existing tumors. People who are predisposed to suffer from prostate problems or from cancers, including breast, liver, colon, and ovarian, develop a stronger immunity to these conditions. Cranberries have proanthocyanidins that increase oral health. Proanthocyanidins stop bacteria from binding to your teeth and causing tooth decay. They also help prevent gum disease.

An individual burns a certain number of calories a day. This number depends on the person’s gender, age, and level of physical activity. On average, the typical individual uses up about 2,000 calories on a daily basis. You don’t want to eat too much lest you take in more calories than you burn. Unused calories tend to end up as fat that sits on your stomach or hips. Every food item you put in your mouth adds to your daily calorie intake. If you eat meals in large portions, you are likely to go over your recommended daily calorie allowance.  You are likely to gain weight. You are likely to get fat. It is prudent to choose healthy foods that do not have many calories but make you feel full. Pick nutritious food. Go for smaller portions. A serving of dried cranberries has about 130 calories only – and the dried fruit makes a good, satisfying addition to cereals or salads. Dried cranberries are also gratifying as a stand-alone snack. According to nutritionists, you must be careful about your intake of fat if you don’t want to gain weight.  Limiting your intake of fat to between 44 and 78 grams keeps you from gaining weight. Dried cranberries are fat-free. They are ideal for snacks. Sprinkling a small handful of dried cranberries on your soup or salad is a tasty and healthy way to make your meals more nutritious.You need to include dietary fiber in your diet. Fiber helps keep your digestive system healthy and efficient. It keeps the heart healthy. According to the Institute of Medicine, women should include about 25 grams of fiber in their daily diet. Men should have at least 38 grams daily. You get 2 grams of dietary fiber from just one serving of dried cranberries. This is a good amount considering that the recommended serving of dried cranberries is only about a third of a cup. Dietary fiber is said to lower risks for developing diabetes, stroke, coronary heart disease, and gastrointestinal disease, among other health conditions. It also helps you manage your blood pressure, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce cholesterol levels. Dietary fiber also helps obese individuals lose weight. Dried cranberries have the following antioxidants: anthocyanin (which gives cranberries the pigment responsible for their robust red hue), proanthocyanidins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. These antioxidants help slow down or prevent the damage that free radicals do to your cells. You can make a lot of food more nutritious and tasty by adding dried cranberries to them.