14 properties and benefits of cranberry

The blueberry is one of the healthiest foods and with greater content in vitamins and antioxidants, for that reason it is considered a "super fruit".

In addition to its great taste, consuming blueberries becomes a great ally for your body: it helps prevent diseases, it rejuvenates and is even ideal for a low-fat diet.

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Properties and benefits of blueberries

If you want to know what are the benefits of cranberry consumption, in the following lines you can find the most important ones.

1. Reduce the risk of suffering cancer

Cancer is one of the diseases most feared by humans, and in recent decades the number of cases of individuals with cancer has increased. According to esteem the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), in 2015 220,000 cancer patients were diagnosed in the Spanish territory.

Some studies have concluded that the consumption of this fruit can help combat the proliferation risk of cancer cells when they are few and, in addition, they do it without damaging other cells. This is because blueberries contain gallic acid and resveratrol, two important compounds that help reduce the negative impact of cancer.

2. It is anti-inflammatory

The Cranberries they contain a lot of antioxidants , one of the most important are proanthocyanidins. It is known that these chemicals are powerful anti-inflammatory agents. In this way they reduce some pathologies, since inflammation is one of the most common causes of diseases such as stiffness or muscle pain, to fibromyalgia.

3. Rejuvenates

Proanthocyanidins, present in this food They are also important for the body because they have a great capacity to fight other phenomena and to improve health. In addition, they seem to be useful for reversing the aging process in several ways, including by removing free radicals in the skin and other organs, to make the skin look healthy and young.

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4. Prevents neurodegenerative diseases

Cranberries have substances that act as neuroprotective agents, largely due to their massive antioxidant content that has already been discussed in the previous points.

Gallic acid plays a very important role in terms of neuronal function, since it prevents cognitive deterioration and the development of certain degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, by preventing the oxidation of cells in the brain, it causes them to degenerate more slowly.

5. Prevents DNA damage

Oxidative damage can occur in our cells on a daily basis, and this oxidation is one of the reasons why humans age. That's why antioxidants are so important. But Oxidation can also affect DNA, and in this way mutations can occur, which in turn increase the risk of cancer. Research shows that consuming blueberries daily decreases oxidative DNA damage by up to 20%.

6. Help fight against diabetes

A study published in 2010 in the Nutrition Journal affirms that consuming this fruit improves insulin sensitivity in obese people resistant to this hormone . Therefore, consumption of blueberries can help fight against diabetes. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas, which helps the body metabolize carbohydrates correctly, and prevents blood sugar from increasing excessively.

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7. It favors the presence of good cholesterol

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, cranberry is the fruit with the highest amount of antioxidants, and considers it one of the best foods to fight cholesterol. The Cranberries increase the hepatic synthesis of good cholesterol or HDL and inhibit the formation of bad cholesterol or LDL.

8. Reduce blood pressure

Cranberries help reduce and regulate blood pressure, in large part because they cause a greater flow of antioxidants and nutrients in the body, which prevents the accumulation of cholesterol, and generally this helps the body to function better.

The Cranberries they can also prevent blood glucose spikes by improving the body's response to insulin. This means that the organism transports nutrients better and the blood circulates without problems. Also, a recent study from the University of Florida concludes that daily consumption of blueberries could be key to reducing blood pressure.

9. Improves cognitive functions and memory

It has been shown that blueberries increase cognitive function in rats and humans . It has also been shown that cranberries improve memory. For one study, a group was asked to drink cranberry juice daily and a control group should consume a placebo drink. The group that consumed the cranberry juice showed positive increases in the learning of couples and the memory of words.

10. Improve the view

The retina of the eyeball can also suffer oxidative damage, as it is a vulnerable tissue and can be easily damaged by inflammation or infections. Damaging the retina means that vision damage occurs, so keeping the retina healthy is essential to maintain vision in advanced age. Fortunately, blueberries contain a lot of antioxidants called anthocyanins, which prevent eye damage .

11. Help reduce fat

The Cranberries They are ideal for a healthy diet and to lose weight , because they contain a lot of fiber and a low caloric power. This makes this fruit a healthy alternative, which helps to regulate intestinal functioning and helps you feel fuller thanks to fiber. In addition, there are several studies that claim that blueberries stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent the accumulation of fat.

12. Help to have better intimate relationships

Cranberries help increase the production of endogenous nitric oxide that is usually associated with a lower risk of heart disease. But not only that, but the nitric oxide intervenes in the erection of the penis. In fact, the active substance in Viagra, sildenafil, increases levels of nitric oxide in the body to produce its effect. If you want to know how this happens, you can read this article: "Nitric oxide (neurotransmitter): definition and functions".

13. Improves hair health

Blueberries improve hair health. Vitamin B is good for increasing hair growth , because it improves the oxygenation and circulation of blood in the body, particularly in the scalp. In addition, cholesterol reduction is also positive in this regard, and anthocyanins help stimulate hair growth.

14. Take care of the skin

Antioxidants fight the presence of free radicals in the skin, which can cause severe damage in this area of ​​the body. The phytochemicals and antioxidants present in the cranberry Make the skin look smoother and younger . In addition, it is possible to use this fruit as a mask to combat acne.