Cranberries: antioxidant properties
The cranberries They are fruits that, in addition to gastronomy or the daily diet, are widely used in Phytotherapy ( blueberries in herbal medicine), especially for its benefits and properties.
Explained in a simple way, it is a shrub that grows in the understory of the mountainous regions, and that precisely has blue-black berries, which are rich -as we will see throughout this note- in tannins and anthocyanosides.
But what are the benefits and properties of blueberries? Why do they stand out above many other fruits?
What are blueberries?
The cranberries They are berries that grow from a shrub of small size belonging to the family of the Ericaceae, specifically the genus Vaccinium, which can reach 50 centimeters in height (although the most usual is that it tends to be between 25 50 centimeters).
Actually we can find a genus formed by a wide variety of shrubs, which can produce dark berries, reddish or bluish, which stand out for their incredible richness in different plant pigments that are the main culprits of their striking color and characteristic (anthocyanins).
Varieties of blueberries
Depending on the shrub before which we are, we can distinguish two varieties or types of blueberries, which stand out precisely because they are the most popular and known:
- Cranberries:They are blueberries that belong to the same family as blueberries, however they tend to have a larger size and their skin is much brighter. In addition, its flavor is more acid and sour, which is why they are also popularly known by the name of sour cranberry.
- Blueberries:However, blueberries are also part of the same family as cranberries, with the particularity that they obviously have a different color (due to the vegetable pigments they contain), a somewhat smaller size and do not tend to be so bright .
In any case, the truth is that Both blueberries and blueberries share virtually the same benefits and properties, with the difference that blueberries tend to be much more effective than the red variety both to improve blood circulation (for its antioxidant content) and for vision problems (for its contribution to vitamin A).
Benefits of blueberries
Ideal to enjoy a good vision
The cranberries they are indicated in case of a condition called hemeralopia, which consists in the reduction of vision in the presence of intense illumination, or for any other disorder of the arteries of the eyes.
This quality is especially effective thanks to the high vitamin A content, known precisely as retinol, thanks to favors good vision, especially in the dim light.
In addition, it has been found that blueberries are useful at the time of prevent degenerative diseases of vision, as for example could be the case of macular degeneration.
This disease occurs as a result of degeneration, damage or deterioration of the yellowish layer of tissue found in the back of the eye, known by the name of taint, which has the ability to provide the perception of small and fine details, providing visual acuity.
Help improve memory
One of the most interesting benefits that we want to address more closely are the Properties of blueberries for memory.
In the composition of blueberries we find ourselves with photochemical, which have been shown to be especially effective when it comes to reversing disorders or problems related to memory.
In addition, it also contributes flavonoids Y anthocyanins, which act directly on the brain and, as medically believed, exert an interesting and beneficial effect on memory and learning.
How? It seems to improve the connections of existing neurons, improves cellular communications, stimulates neuronal regeneration and induces improvements in memory by the activation of signaling proteins from a specific pathway found in the hippocampus.
Powerful antioxidants
Also recent studies would indicate that the cranberries could be ideal in preventing the emergence of Cancer, having potential anticarcinogenic properties. All thanks to its high content of natural antioxidants, among which we can mention the presence of carotenoids and anthocyanins.
This means that they are ideal when it comes to reduce the negative action of free radicals, responsible for the premature aging of cells (and also tend to damage them over time, especially when our body produces them excessively), in addition to deteriorating all our tissues in an accelerated manner.
Useful against high cholesterol
Given the significant amount of antioxidants they have, they are good for protecting the heart, while reducing bad cholesterol and increasing good (HDL), while preventing the accumulation of fats in the arteries, which, as you know, is the main cause of cardiovascular diseases.
Therefore, their regular consumption makes them a very powerful food when it comes to reducing the levels of high cholesterol, improving blood circulation completely and completely naturally.
Ideal antiseptic action against urinary infections
We are probably one of the most popular and popular qualities of blueberries. And is that They have an antiseptic and antibacterial action that make them a traditionally effective remedy against Urinary infections.
Moreover, it is known that cranberry juice is ideal for people suffering from diseases in the urinary tract, not only in the prevention of cystitis, but in the inflammation of the bladder, kidney infections ( purification of the kidneys), prostate and urethra.
Good skin health
Thanks to its richness in antioxidants and vitamins, blueberries are ideal for maintaining good skin health, thanks to improve the formation of collagenon the one hand, while reducing the premature aging of the skin.
Nutritional properties of blueberries
100 grams of blueberries provide:
| Calories | 41.69 kcal | Vitamin B6 | 0.06 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 6.05 g | Vitamin B9 | 10.00 μg |
| Proteins | 0.63 g | Match | 2.00 mg |
| Fat | 0.60 g | Sodium | 1.00 mg |
| Vitamin A | 5.70 μg | Iodo | 1.00 mg |
| Carotenoids | 34.20 μg | Calcium | 10.00 mg |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.02 mg | Potassium | 78 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.02 mg | Zinc | 0.13 mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 0,09 mg | Magnesium | 2,40 mg |
