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| By Lisa VanWilliams |
No doubt about it, cranberries are healthy and packed with vitamin C and nutrients. It's not just a decorative side sauce for the Thanksgiving Turkey, they can be prepared in many ways throughout the year. This festive fruit that grows on a vine can be dried, juiced, sauced, jammed, and wined. The scarlet red berries are a traditional reminder of fall, Pilgrims, Thanksgiving & Christmas and it is a great time to get some fresh cranberries as harvest is usually over by November.
Massachusetts is the second largest growing region in the world with 14,000 acres of bogs and some of the vines being more than 150 years old. The Cape Cod Cranberry Association states that is takes about 4,400 cranberries to make a gallon of juice.
Why are they good for you?
- vitamin C and fiber
- protects against urinary tract infections (UTI)
- anti inflammatory benefits
- improves immunity support
- cardiovascular benefits by decreasing blood pressure & lower cholesterol
- protects against heart disease
- anti-oxidant protection
- anti-cancer benefits that may support breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancers
- digestive track benefits & helps treat ulcers
- good for your mouth health (kills bad bacteria)
- flushes the system
- improves mental health
So don't just bust out the cranberry sauce for the holidays because they can be incorporated into many dishes and drinks. Coastal Living did a great article called 15 Best Mouthwatering Cranberry Recipes if you need some ideas. http://www.coastalliving.com/food/kitchen-assistant/15-mouth-watering-cranberry-recipes-00414000072665/
Cheers.
