Dried Cranberries


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Dried Cranberries

Introduction

*Cranberries are fruits of the evergreen shrubs or vines, Vaccinium oxycoccos, native colder regions of the Northern Hemisphere like US, Canada and Europe.

*Cranberries are small, shiny, and pale to dark pink fruits, botanically berries, with a very tart or acidic taste. These are closely related to blueberries.

*They are mainly used in the preparation of sauce, juice and dried cranberries (that are usually sweetened). Cranberry sauce is part of traditional Thanksgiving menu.

*Buying and storage: Select good quality dried cranberries. Store in airtight containers or zip-lock bags at room temperature where they will keep for seneral weeks to months.

Is it raw?

Yes and No.
*Yes, fresh, frozen or sun dried cranberries are raw.
*No, because sometimes dried cranberries at the supermarkets are sweetened. Make sure you read the label.

Health Benefits

1. Fresh and dried cranberries are rich in polyphenols, the phytonutrients that have beneficial effects on our health.

2. The tannins present in cranberries have anti-bacterial properties. They are effective in reducing the risk of bacterial infections, because they reduce the ability of various bacteria to adhere to the walls of the GI tract, urinary tract, etc.

3. Regular consumption of cranberry juice reduces the risk of urinary tract infections, by reducing the ability of the E. coli to adhere to the walls of the urinary tract. But they cannot cure urinary tract infections once the bacteria establish themselves in the urinary tract.

4. Reduce the risk of gingivitis and building of plaque in the oral cavity.

5. The phytonutrient, proanthocyanidins, present in cranberries have ant-viral properties. They act in a similar way to the tannins by reducing the ability of various viruses to adhere to the walls of the cells. Cranberries are especially effective in combating the herpes simplex virus.

6. Prevents the formation of kidney stones. Quinic acid present in these berries slightly acidifies the urine, which is enough to prevent the formation of stones in the kidneys.

7. The polyphenols also reduce the risk of oxidation of LDL cholesterol, increase the levels of HDL cholesterol and prevents the build up of plaque in the blood vessels, thus preventing the risk of heart diseases.

8. The polyphenols improve the function of the blood vessels, thus again reducing the risk of heart disease, heart attack and atherosclerosis.

9. The phytonutrients actually act as natural probiotics, supporting the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria.

10. Cranberries contain the highest amount of polyphenols, which also act as natural antioxidants and are effective in scavenging the free radicals from the body.

11. Moderate source of manganese, which is an essential cofactor in many enzymatic reactions in the body, especially in the production of energy and antioxidants defenses.

12. Good source of dietary fiber. It adds roughage to the contents of the intestines, promotes satiety, promotes the health of the colon, and also helps in relieving constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticular disorders, etc.

Nutritional Information per Serving:

Serving Size	100 g of dried Cranberries

% Daily Requirements

Total Calories	308	15%
Calories from fat	11.5

Total fat	1.4 g	2%
Saturated fat	0.1 g	1%
Trans fat	0 g
Cholesterol	0 g	0%

Total carbohydrate	82.4 g	27%
Dietary fiber	5.7 g	33%
Sugars	65 g

Protein	0.1 g	0%

Minerals

Calcium	10 mg	1%
Iron	0.5 mg	3%
Magnesium	5 mg	1%
Phosphorus	8 mg	1%
Potassium	40 mg	1%
Sodium	3 mcg	0%
Zinc	0.1 mg	1%
Copper	0.1 mg	4%
Manganese	0.3 mg	13%
Selenium	0.5 mcg	1%

Vitamins

Niacin	1 mg	5%
Vitamin C	0.2 mg	0%
Vitamin E	1.1 mg	5%
Vitamin K	3.8 mcg	5%

Other Related Resources

Raisins: Raisins are ‘dried grapes', the fruits of the plant, Vitus vinifera.

Dried Prunes: Prunes are dried fruits of various varieties of plums, especially the European plum, Prunus domestica.

Dried Pears: Pears are the edible pomaceous fruits of many species of the genus, Pyrus, in the rose family and closely related to the apple tree.

Dried Peaches: Dried peaches are peeled, stoned peaches, then sliced or halved and dried.

Dried Figs: Botanically, they are inflorescence or false fruits or multiple fruits, and not real fruits. The the actual flowers are seen only when the fig is cut open.

Dried Dates: Dried dates are mature fully ripened dates that are sun dried.

Dried Cranberries: Cranberries are small, shiny, and pale to dark pink fruits, botanically berries, with a very tart or acidic taste. These are closely related to blueberries.

Dried Bananas: Banana fruit is the fruit of the plant Musa paradisiaca or Musa acuminata, believed to have been originated in Southeast Asia and Australia.

Dried Apricots: Commercially prepared dried apples are treated with sulphur to extend their shelf life and also to make them look brighter.

Dried Apples: The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the tree, Malus domestica, a member of the rose family Rosaceae, believed to have been originated in Asia.