Cranberries are a delicious and nutritious fruit that has been enjoyed for centuries. Whether you enjoy them fresh or dried, they are a great source of nutrition and offer several health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties and bone health effects.

Nutritional Value

One cup of fresh cranberries contains approximately 50 calories and a host of nutrients. In addition to being low in calories, these small red fruits are rich in:

• Fiber: 4 grams
• Vitamin C: 22% of the recommended daily intake
• Vitamin E: 6% of the recommended daily intake
• Vitamin K: 10% of the recommended daily intake
• Manganese: 20% of the recommended daily intake

Cranberries are also a good source of antioxidants, which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals in the body.

Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

Inflammation is the body’s response to injury or infection, and is part of the natural healing process. However, if inflammation becomes chronic, it can lead to several chronic diseases including arthritis, heart disease, and cancer. Consuming anti-inflammatory foods like cranberries can help reduce inflammation in the body.

Cranberries have been shown to contain high levels of antioxidants, such as flavonoids and proanthocyanidins, which can help to reduce inflammation in the body. These antioxidants are believed to have anti-cancer, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.

Bone Health Effects

Cranberries are a good source of vitamin K, which is necessary for healthy bones. Vitamin K helps to regulate calcium absorption in the body, which can help prevent the development of osteoporosis.

Immune System Effects

Cranberries contain high levels of vitamin C, which can help boost the immune system. Vitamin C helps to promote the production of white blood cells, which help protect the body from infections and illnesses.

Food Combining Information

Pairing certain foods together can help increase the absorption of nutrients and promote better digestion. Cranberries can be paired with other anti-inflammatory foods such as leafy greens, ginger, turmeric and cinnamon to create a powerful and nutritious smoothie.

Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie Recipe

To make a delicious and anti-inflammatory smoothie, blend together:

• 1 cup cranberries
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 banana
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional)

This smoothie is not only delicious, but packed with anti-inflammatory benefits to help reduce inflammation in the body.

If you love anti-inflammatory fruits, check out the rest of our fruit section here, or pop over to our anti-inflammatory herbs section where you can find powerful goodness to add to any autoimmune smoothie.

Thank you for reading, we hope you enjoyed learning about the many nutritional and anti-inflammatory benefits of cranberries. Come back again soon!