Cranberries may help with gut health. Studies have shown that they can improve gut bacteria in people who eat an animal-based diet. In other words, if you eat a lot of meat, dairy, and sugar, cranberries can help put good bacteria back into your digestive system. They also reduce bile acids in the gut that have a link to colon and gastrointestinal cancers ,They keep your mouth healthy. Just like in your digestive system, cranberries help control harmful acids in your mouth. They lessen the amount of acid you make and keep it from sticking to your teeth. This helps stop cavities, gum disease, tooth decay, and even oral cancer. Eat them raw. You can munch on them whole like blueberries, toss them into a salad, add them to oatmeal, or blend them into a smoothie. If they’re too tart for you, you can chop them and toss with a little sugar or agave syrup. Turn them into jelly or sauce. It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without cranberry sauce on the table. But this tangy condiment is good all year long. Spread some jelly or sauce on toast, biscuits, pancakes, or even an everyday turkey sandwich.
Reducing cardiovascular disease
The research also found that cranberry supplementation helped reduce body mass index (BMI) and improve levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good,” cholesterol. A different study examined 78 participantsTrusted Source who had overweight or obesity. It revealed that consuming a single dose of a low calorie cranberry beverage with a high content of plant compounds every day improved a person’s regulation of blood sugar, chemical signs of inflammation, and increased levels of HDL lipoprotein.
reduce cancer progression
The research also suggests that cranberries can affect several other mechanisms that promote cancer growth and spread. Although testing on humans with cancer is limited, these findings show promise for the future management of some cancers alongside standard treatments.
Improving heart health
Studies show that various ingredients in cranberry juice may improve heart health. Cranberries are high in chemicals called polyphenols that may support heart health. A study of females with metabolic syndrome found that cranberry juice increased the antioxidants in the blood plasma. People who drank cranberry juice also had lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL is known as the “bad” type of cholesterol.
Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins, a class of compounds commonly found in plants. It’s believed that these compounds can help prevent UTIs by stopping bacteria from attaching to the lining of the urinary tract. If bacteria can’t grow and spread, an infection is unable to develop. Unfortunately, research on cranberry juice has been mixed. Some studies show cranberry juice to be effective in reducing the risk of UTIs, while others have found that it isn’t an effective treatment.
The same compounds that help protect the heart also improve your digestive system function. According to a 2016 research published in the Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice, they can prevent the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) from growing and multiplying in the stomach lining. This is important because when H. pylori are allowed to grow out of control, stomach ulcers may form.