Cranberries – Everything You Need to Know About Cranberries!

Cranberry in German means large-fruited cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon). However, it is better known to us under the English name cranberry or under the Low German word Kraanbeere (also cranberry). Furthermore, it is also sometimes called cranberry because the stamens of the flowers are reminiscent of a beak.

Cranberries have become increasingly popular with us in recent years. Mistakenly, the cranberry is often translated as the word "cranberry".

Although they both belong to the heather family (Ericaceae), the berries are two different species .

Although these are related to each other, they have some differences.

The most important thing in a nutshell:

Cranberries grow on an evergreen dwarf shrub in North America and are much larger than cranberries. But the two berries have one thing in common: The cranberry and cranberry are full of healthy nutrients !

But what exactly are cranberries, what are their health benefits and how do you best prepare the cranberry?

We have summarized all this information about the special berry and delicious cranberry recipes for you in this post.

What exactly are cranberries?

Cranberries are the super fruits par excellence. The cranberries belong to the heather family and belong to the genus of blueberries. The dark red berry is known for its crisp firm pulp and fruity-tart taste.

Cranberries and cranberries belong to the same genus, but contrary to common belief, they are two different berries. The cranberry is referred to in English as Pilgrim Cranberry.

In German, this means as much as pilgrim berry. Nevertheless, the cranberry, also by its name in English, is not related to the actual cranberry.

Origin – Where does the cranberry grow?

Originally, the cranberries come from North America. The Native Americans already kept themselves healthy with these valuable fruits due to their antioxidant effect, and the first European settlers also liked to collect wild berries as early as 1600.

Today, the cranberry fruits are industrially produced in the USA and Canada on huge plantations.

Ingredients: Health Benefits of Cranberry

Cranberry has a long tradition as a medicinal plant.

The berry also has some health-promoting properties due to its organic acidity and antibacterial substances, which can positively influence the following:

The berry can help us reduce overweight. This is because the cranberries are rich in fiber and thus give us a longer-lasting feeling of satiety.

Even today, especially in the USA, a chicken soup with cranberry juice is prepared for colds.

In addition, the ingredients can restrict the growth of bacteria. Cranberries are true little vitamin bombs. They contain vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K and are rich in copper. In this way, the berries help prevent urinary tract infections.

Furthermore, cranberry is a good source of micronutrients, fiber and contains polyphenols, especially anthocyanins – this substance is one of the antioxidants and weakens the effect of free radicals and counteracts cell damage. In epidemiological and clinical studies, these ingredients have been associated with 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 positive effect of cranberry was seen in healthy subjects and in individuals with existing metabolic risk factors.

The mechanisms underlying this positive effect presumably include:

Although these data are limited, they support the recommendation of berries as an essential fruit group in a heart-healthy diet.

Cranberries in alternative medicine – how healthy are they?

According to a review article from the "Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture", the health benefits of cranberries have been shown in various studies. For example, they are used to treat urinary tract infections and bladder infections or gastrointestinal inflammations. 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 in Cystitis

Many people already know that cranberries are used to prevent or treat bladder infections and urinary tract infections. However, very few people know how the berry works. The ingredients of cranberry prevent bacteria from attaching to the bladder wall and causing inflammation. They also prevent bacteria from multiplying and increase urine production. In this way, the pathogens are flushed out via the urinary tract.

Especially in the case of recurrent bladder infections, the use of cranberries is worthwhile, because often the treatment by antibiotics can be dispensed with. Nevertheless, you should definitely consult a doctor if you have a bladder infection. Self-therapy by cranberries in the form of juice or capsules is not recommended.

Effect of cranberry on blood pressure and cardiovascular system

Cranberries are rich in antioxidants that can protect against cardiovascular disease. In addition, the fruit keeps the metabolism stable. In addition, the healthy ingredients of cranberry reduce “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and increase “good” cholesterol (HDL). While LDL can lead to atherosclerosis, HDL does just the opposite and protects our vessels.

Even if cranberries are said to have a health-promoting effect, you should still have your health status checked regularly by your doctor.

What side effects can cranberry have?

Due to its high acidity, cranberry juice can cause stomach discomfort when consumed in excess. It is also suspected that excessive amounts of the fruit can promote the formation of kidney stones. Apart from that, cranberries have no negative effects.

Pregnant women and children should refrain from using cranberries, as there are not enough studies yet. If you are taking medications such as blood thinners, antibiotics, acetylsalicylic acid, statins, antacids, proton pump inhibitors, or medications for the liver, you should definitely check with a doctor before using cranberry products.

How does cranberry differ from cranberries?

Our local cranberries are

very close relatives of cranberries (large-fruited cranberries). In terms of taste, the cranberry fruits and cranberries are very similar, as both have a tart-sour taste.

That's why cranberries raw are not for everyone to enjoy. If you want to eat the berry fruits so fresh, you should sprinkle them with some sugar or drizzle them with a little honey.

Both berry varieties have a bright red color. You can distinguish cranberries from cranberries by remembering that the cranberry is about the size of a cherry and the cranberry is as small as a pea.

The cranberry fruits grow on shrubs that are close to the ground. Cranberries, on the other hand, grow upright on the bushes.

When are cranberries ripe for harvest?

Cranberries, just like the cranberries, can be harvested as soon as they get their deep red beautiful color. Therefore, the harvest time of the cranberry is from September to about the beginning of November. There are two methods of harvesting. The dry harvest and the wet harvest.

Cranberry Dry Harvest

During the dry harvest, you wait for the soil and the cranberry bushes to be completely dry, so there is no moisture from the dew. Then you walk through the plantation with a machine that looks like a giant lawn mower and harvest the berries.

Cranberry Moist Harvest

During 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 caught with a net.

Dry harvested cranberry berries are then offered for sale fresh on the market or in supermarkets. The berries harvested according to the moist method are delivered to producers for further processing.

The best way to enjoy cranberries

In principle, cranberries can be enjoyed fresh or in dried form. You too can discover this great superfood with its high vitamin C content. A good compote is delicious, healthy and warming, especially in the cooler season.

If you feel like sinning instead of paying attention to your balanced diet, you can coat a croissant with a delicious cranberry jelly.

A delicious cranberry sauce or a cranberry chutney go perfectly with game dishes. Or you can eat the cranberry fruits for breakfast in cereal, granola or porridge. Have you ever tried a cranberry extract?

Smoothie bowl with berries

Preparation time 10 min.

Total time 10 min.

Servings: 1

Accessories

• Blender

Ingredients

• 1 Frozen banana
• 200 g Berries
• 150 ml Plant-based drink
• 1 tbsp Flaxseed
• 2 tbsp Oatmeal

Preparation

• Put all the ingredients in a blender and mix them well until a creamy consistency is formed.
• Then place the smoothie in a bowl.
• You can refine the smoothie bowl with toppings of your choice.

The juice of the berries (cranberry juice) is best drunk in the morning and in the evening at 150 ml each and is therefore ideal for preventing cystitis and keeping your urinary tract healthy.

Diluted with water, it is wonderfully refreshing on hot summer days, so you can often enjoy the great juice daily and in larger quantities.

Cranberries are also very suitable as a small snack in between, for example with a nut kernel mixture.

To add more variety to your breakfast, you can also prepare a Verival cereal with yogurt, raspberries, strawberries, currants, blackberries, or blueberries (cranberries).

For baking, you can also use the cranberries 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 don't like 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 muesli can be wonderfully combined with the juicy berries. Depending on your mood, you can mix in the fruits and combine them with nuts, seeds, or crunchies.

Dried cranberries as a topping go well with porridge, muesli, or Verival oatmeal. A healthy breakfast is ready and a good start to the day is guaranteed.

Nutritional table – Sugar levels in dried cranberries

In the following table, you will find the energy content and simple sugars as well as double sugars 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 pay attention to a healthy diet, whether you eat vegetarian, vegan, or normal, the bright red berry fits perfectly into your daily diet and can be perfectly integrated into your mood.

Perfect for a positive effect with lots of vitamin.

Cranberry Juice Recipe

You want to make a delicious and healthy cranberry juice yourself? Here's a simple cranberry juice recipe you can make at home.

You only need three ingredients for your juice.

Cranberry Juice Ingredients

Cranberry Juice Preparation

First, the cranberries are washed and sorted. They are then placed in a bowl and crushed. You can also chop the cranberries with a knife beforehand.

Then mix the cranberries with mineral water and add the honey. Stir well. You can also add some mint leaves. Then leave to 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.

The cranberry juice is super refreshing and has a very positive effect on cystitis. In case of cystitis, 300 ml of cranberry juice per day is often recommended.

The cranberry juice can acidify the urine and thereby restrict the growth of bacteria – the amino acid L-methionine, which is contained in the cranberry.

1. 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.