Cranberry health benefits: cranberries to prevent urinary tract infections

Cranberries are very popular in Anglo-Saxon countries, where they are most often consumed as juice. 

They have recently gained popularity in many countries, mainly as a result of their efficacy for preventing UTIs. 

Let´s know more about the health benefits of cranberries, and what these vitamin- and antioxidant- packed berries can provide us with.

Cranberry, a superfood that helps maintain a healthy urinary tract

Cranberries are the fruits of low creeping shrubs of the genus Vaccinium that grow in the colder areas of the northern hemisphere (Northern Europe, Northern Asia and North America). 

These small sweet and sour red fruits are very popular in dessert recipes, and are often found in muffins, pancakes, cheesecakes, smoothies, cereals and the typical cranberry sauce served with a variety of meat dishes. 

Cranberries are also very appreciated in fruit juices, and in teas, an agreeable way of consuming cranberries and enjoying their taste and properties. 

Try our Goji Secrets herbal tea, which combines cranberries and Goji berries for added health benefits!

At Tea Shop we also enjoy the benefits of cranberries in our Organic Pink Latte, a powdered drink mix for preparing delicious and healthy smoothies and frappés.

What are cranberries good for? 

Fresh, dried or powdered, nutrient-packed cranberries have multiple health benefits. No wonder they belong to the Superfood family! 

Here are some of their properties.

- Boost the immune system 

Their high content in vitamin C helps increase your natural defenses and fight colds, flu, sore throat and related infections. 

High in flavonoids, a type of antioxidants, cranberries help fight the effect of free radicals and reduce cell damage. 

The anti-aging affect is beneficial to all our organs, including the largest one, our skin.

- Antioxidants also play an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and help in reducing LDL cholesterol (´bad´cholesterol) levels.

Several studies have shown a link between the consumption of cranberries and the improvement of blood circulation, particularly in prevention of atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque (made of cholesterol and other fatty substances) builds up inside arteries, hardens and narrows them. 

Cranberries are also effective at preventing hemorrhoids, varicose veins and other blood circulation disorders.

- Some studies have shown that the proanthocyanidins found in cranberries contribute to good dental and oral health. 

These antioxidants, together with a correct dental hygiene, are effective at preventing tooth decay.

- Lastly, cranberries have antibacterial properties that help protect the urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra).

Cranberry supplements are frequently recommended by gynecologists and urologists, as some compounds found in cranberries are able to stop the development of such pathogens as Escherichia Coli (E. Coli), the intestinal bacterium most often responsible for UTIs. 

Cranberries contain a type of polyphenols able to prevent bacteria form attaching to the lining of the bladder and urinary tract, these being consequently discarded through the urine. 

Unlike antibiotics, cranberries do not treat UTIs, but help avoid recurrent infections. 

However, they are a useful preventive measure to avoid repetitive infections, and help reduce recourse to antibiotics.