Cranberry is the English name for the large-fruited bog bilberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon). In our region, however, it is better known under the English name cranberry or under the Low German word kraanbeere (also kranbeere). Furthermore, it is sometimes also called crane berry because the stamens of the flowers resemble a beak.
- Botanical name: Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Belongs to the plant family: heath family (Ericaceae)
- Higher classification: bilberry
- Synonyms: large-fruited cranberry, Low German Kra(a)nbeere
- Effects: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial (antibacterial)
Cranberries have become increasingly popular in recent years. Mistakenly, the cranberry is often translated as “Preiselbeere” (cranberry in German).
Although they both belong to the heather family (Ericaceae), they are two different types of berry .
Although they are related, they have some differences.
The most important in brief:
Cranberries grow on an evergreen dwarf shrub in North America and are much larger than lingonberries. But the two berries have one thing in common: cranberries and lingonberries are full of healthy nutrients!
But what exactly are cranberries, what health benefits do they have and how do you prepare them best?
We have summarized all this information about the special berry and delicious cranberry recipes for you in this article.
Get your breakfast with cranberries here
What exactly are cranberries?
Cranberries are the ultimate superfruits. Cranberries are heather plants and belong to the genus of blueberries. The dark red berry is known for its crunchy, firm flesh and fruity, tangy flavor.
Cranberries and cranberries belong to the same genus, but contrary to popular belief, they are two different berries. The cranberry is known as the Pilgrim Cranberry in English.
In German, the name means “Pilgrim Berry”. Nevertheless, the cranberry is not related to the actual cranberry, even though it is known by the same name in English.
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Origin – Where do cranberries grow?
Cranberries originally come from North America. The native Americans kept themselves healthy with these valuable fruits due to their antioxidant effect, and the first European settlers also liked to collect the wild berries around 1600.
Today, cranberry fruits are industrially produced in the USA and Canada on huge plantations.
Ingredients: Health benefits of cranberries
The cranberry has a long tradition as a medicinal plant.
The berry also has some health-promoting properties due to its organic acid and antibacterial substances, which can have the following positive effects:
- Prevention of urinary tract infections and cystitis
- Strengthening of the immune system
- Slowing down skin aging
- Strengthening of our cardiovascular system
- Reducing the risk of cancer
The berry can help us to lose weight. This is because cranberries are high in fiber, giving us a longer-lasting feeling of satiety.
Today, especially in the USA, chicken soup with cranberry juice is still prepared for colds.
In addition, the ingredients can limit the growth of bacteria. Cranberries are true little vitamin bombs. They contain vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K and are rich in copper. The berries help to prevent urinary tract infections.
Furthermore, cranberries are a good source of micronutrients and dietary fiber and contain polyphenols, in particular anthocyanins. This substance is an antioxidant that weakens the effect of free radicals and counteracts cell damage. In epidemiological and clinical studies, these ingredients have been linked to improved cardiovascular risk profiles.
Studies: Human intervention studies with aronia berries, cranberries, blueberries and strawberries (either fresh or as juice or freeze-dried) or purified anthocyanin extracts have shown significant improvements in LDL oxidation, lipid peroxidation, total plasma antioxidant capacity, dyslipidemia, and glucose metabolism.1
A beneficial effect of cranberry was seen in healthy subjects and in individuals with existing metabolic risk factors.
Mechanisms underlying this beneficial effect presumably include:
- upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase
- decreased activity of carbohydrate digestive enzymes,
- decreased oxidative stress
- inhibition of inflammatory gene expression and alveolar formation.
Although limited, these data support the inclusion of berries as an essential fruit group in heart-healthy diets.
Cranberries in alternative medicine – How healthy are they?
According to a review article in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, the health benefits of cranberries have been demonstrated in various studies. They are used, for example, to treat urinary tract infections and cystitis or gastrointestinal inflammation. In addition, they can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. 2
In alternative medicine, cranberries are used as juice, tablets or raw.
Cranberry effect on cystitis
Many people already know that cranberries can be used to prevent or treat cystitis and urinary tract infections. However, few people know how the berry works. Cranberry's ingredients prevent bacteria from attaching to the bladder wall and causing inflammation. They also ensure that bacteria cannot multiply and increase urine production. In this way, the pathogens are flushed out via the urinary tract.
Cranberries are particularly useful for recurrent bladder infections, as they can often eliminate the need for antibiotic treatment. Nevertheless, you should definitely see a doctor if you have a bladder infection. Self-therapy with cranberries in the form of juice or capsules is not recommended.
Effect of cranberries on blood pressure and the cardiovascular system
Cranberries are rich in antioxidants, which can protect against cardiovascular diseases. In addition, the fruit keeps the metabolism stable. Furthermore, the healthy ingredients of cranberries lower the “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and increase the “good” cholesterol (HDL). While LDL can lead to arteriosclerosis, i.e. vascular obstruction, HDL does exactly the opposite and protects our blood vessels.
Even though cranberries are said to have health benefits, you should still have your health status checked regularly by your doctor.
What side effects can cranberries have?
Due to its high acid content, cranberry juice can cause stomach problems if consumed in excess. It is also suspected that too much of the fruit can promote the formation of kidney stones. Apart from that, cranberries have no negative effects.
Pregnant women and children should not consume cranberries, as there are not yet enough studies on this. If you are taking medication such as blood thinners, antibiotics, acetylsalicylic acid, statins, antacids, proton pump inhibitors or medication for the liver, you should always check with a doctor before using cranberry products.
How is cranberry (large-fruited cranberry) different from cowberry?
Our native cowberries are very closely related to cranberry (large-fruited cranberry). Cranberry fruits and cowberries taste very similar, as both have a tart, sour flavor.
That's why raw cranberries are not for everyone. If you want to eat the berries fresh, you should sprinkle them with a little sugar or drizzle them with a little honey.
Both types of berries have a bright red color. You can tell the difference between cranberries and lingonberries by remembering that the cranberry is about the size of a cherry and the lingonberry is about the size of a pea.
Cranberry fruits grow on shrubs that twine near the ground. Lingonberries, on the other hand, grow on upright shrubs.
When are cranberries ripe for harvest?
Cranberries, just like lingonberries, can be harvested as soon as they turn their beautiful dark red color. Therefore, the cranberry harvest season is from September to around the beginning of November. There are two methods of harvesting: dry harvesting and wet harvesting.
Cranberry dry harvesting
In dry harvesting, you wait until the soil and cranberry bushes are completely dry, so there is no moisture from dew. Then you go through the plantation with a machine that looks like a giant lawn mower and harvest the berries.
Cranberry wet harvesting
In the wet harvest, the plantation is flooded the day before the cranberry harvest. The next day, the floating berries are harvested with a special machine. If the area is smaller, the berries are collected with a net.
Dried cranberry berries are then offered for sale fresh at the market or in supermarkets. The berries harvested using the wet method are delivered to producers for further processing.
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The best way to enjoy cranberries
In principle, you can enjoy cranberries fresh or dried. You too can discover this great superfood with its high vitamin C content for yourself. A good compote is delicious, healthy and warming, especially in the cooler months.
If you feel like treating yourself instead of watching your diet, you can spread a delicious cranberry jelly on a croissant.
A delicious cranberry sauce or cranberry chutney goes well with game dishes. Or you can eat the cranberry fruits for breakfast in muesli, granola or porridge. Have you ever tried cranberry extract?
The juice of the berries (cranberry juice) is best drunk in the morning and evening, 150 ml each time, and is ideal for preventing cystitis and keeping your urinary tract healthy.
Diluted with water, it is wonderfully refreshing on hot summer days, so you can enjoy this great juice often and in larger quantities.
Cranberries are also very suitable as a small snack between meals, for example with a nut kernel mixture.
To add more variety to your breakfast, you can also prepare a verival muesli with yoghurt, raspberries, strawberries, currants, blackberries or blueberries (cranberries).
You can also use cranberries in baking as a raisin substitute or to make your muffins even juicier. You can even bake a whole cake with cranberries; there are some great recipes, even for vegans.
The bright berry goes very well with chocolate or vanilla. If you're not so keen on sweets and are more of a savory type, you can also try the berry with cheese and herbs, sweet potatoes or pumpkin.
Cranberries for breakfast with Verival
Our Verival porridges and mueslis go wonderfully with these juicy berries. Depending on your mood, you can mix the fruits in and combine them with nuts, seeds or crisps.
Dried cranberries are a great topping for porridge, muesli or Verival oats. They make a healthy breakfast and guarantee a good start to the day.
Nutritional information – sugar content of dried cranberries
The following table shows the energy content and monosaccharides and disaccharides per 100 g of cranberries.
| Energy (kcal) | Glucose (g) | Fructose (g) | Sucrose (g) | Total sugar (g) | |
| Dried | 312 | 28.7 | 33 | 5.8 | 67.5 |
So if you eat a healthy diet, whether you're vegetarian, vegan or eat a normal diet, this bright red berry fits perfectly into your daily diet and can be perfectly integrated as you please.
Perfect for a positive effect with lots of vitamin.
Cranberry Juice Recipe
Do you want to make delicious and healthy cranberry juice yourself? Here is a simple cranberry juice recipe that you can make at home.
You only need three ingredients for your juice.
Cranberry juice ingredients
- 100 g cranberries
- 1 l water / mineral water
- honey, maple syrup or date syrup
Cranberry juice preparation
First, the cranberries are washed and sorted. Then they are put in a bowl and crushed. You can also chop the cranberries with a knife beforehand.
After that, mix the cranberries with mineral water and add the honey. Stir well. You can also add a few mint leaves. Then let it stand for about 30 minutes.
In summer, you can add ice cubes and pour the cranberry juice into small glasses. You can also strain the cranberry juice if you don't want the cranberry pieces in the juice.
Cranberry juice is super refreshing and has a very positive effect on cystitis. For cystitis, 300 ml of cranberry juice per day is often recommended.
Cranberry juice can acidify the urine and thus limit the growth of bacteria – amino acid L-methionine which is contained in cranberries.
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- 1.Basu A, Rhone M, Lyons TJ. Berries: emerging impact on cardiovascular health. Nutrition Reviews . Published online March 2010:168-177. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2010.00273.x
2. Zhao, Shaomin & Liu, Haiyan & Gu, Liwei. American Cranberries and Health Benefits – an Evolving Story of 25 years. Journal of the science of food and agriculture. Published 2018. doi:100. 10.1002/jsfa.8882.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cranberry good for?
The wonder berry is said to be good for weight loss, cystitis and as a preventive measure for cancer. A clinical study was conducted to examine the effect of the berries on urinary tract infections in 150 sexually active women. The result of the study showed that the number of urinary tract infections could be significantly reduced with juice and dry extract.
How many cranberries a day?
You should consume 120 g of fresh cranberries per day. This corresponds to about 30 dried berries. It should be noted that the dried berries are usually sugared.
Why should you drink cranberry juice?
Consuming cranberry juice has positive effects, especially for women. Drinking 250 ml of cranberry juice twice a day for several weeks can prevent bacterial urinary tract infections.
Is there a difference between cranberry and cranberries?
No, there isn't. The spelling cranberry comes from the American. Cranberries is the German spelling. Both spellings are correct and permissible.
Can you eat cranberries raw?
If the cranberries are ripe, then yes. You should avoid unripe berries. Most store-bought cranberries are not suitable for raw consumption and should be boiled with sugar.
Are cranberries a fruit or a vegetable?
Cranberries are a type of berry fruit and are therefore a type of fruit themselves.
How are cranberries harvested?
Cranberries are usually not picked by hand, but flooded. In this process, the area with the cranberry plant is submerged. The berries detach from the plant and float in the water. The cranberries are then collected by machine. As you can see, cranberries are extremely popular. They are an integral part of Thanksgiving dinner in America, and in this country, too, they are a popular addition to meat dishes as a sauce.
What do cranberries do in the body?
Because of the antioxidants they contain, cranberries can help prevent cardiovascular disease. Antioxidants work against free radicals and thus protect the body from cell damage.
Are cranberries good for your gut?
It is thought that the ingredients in cranberries prevent the spread of Helicobacter pylori bacteria in the stomach and intestines. If the bacterium settles in the stomach, gastritis often develops, which typically manifests itself in the form of stomach pain.
What are the side effects of cranberry?
There are hardly any proven side effects. Some people complain of stomach problems if they consume too many. It is also suspected that cranberries can promote the formation of kidney stones.
