You may wonder how Cranberries can pack so much goodness into a one-cup serving that clocks in at just 50 calories. But good things really do come in small packages: cranberries are a polyphenol heavy-hitter, which means lots of health benefits are crammed into these pink powerhouses.
Here are just a few of the reasons to enjoy the pleasant tartness of low-calorie cranberries more often:
EXCELLENT SOURCE OF VITAMIN C.
One cup of cranberries provides 20% DV of this antioxidant vitamin, which helps defend against infection and disease and keep teeth and gums healthy.
ANTIOXIDANT POWER.
Cranberries contain a unique class of antioxidants called proanthocyanins (PACs.) Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals that can cause cell damage leading to cancer, heart disease and other age-related conditions.
EXCELLENT SOURCE OF FIBER.
One cup of cranberries has a mere 80 calories, but is packed with 24% of your recommended daily fiber. Foods high in fiber may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes.
UNIQUE HEALTH BENEFITS
Cranberries have a lot more going on than that tart flavor we know and love. Cranberries are full of naturally produced compounds called proanthocyanidins (PACs) that help maintain a healthy urinary tract.
They also boast a high polyphenol content, which is believed to encourage heart health by improving blood cholesterol levels while lowering blood pressure.
CRANBERRY HEALTH RESEARCH
Researchers studying potential health benefits of cranberries are focusing on areas such as:
- Blood vessel health
- Urinary tract health
- Healthy heart function
- Lowered blood pressure
- Improved blood cholesterol levels
- Gastric inflammation
- Immune function
- Cancer prevention
- Antioxidant
