On the shelves of modern markets and supermarkets today you can find a huge selection of different berries. These are both local seasonal options and overseas delicacies. All of them are incredibly healthy and very tasty in their own way. In this article we will discuss one of the most famous and vivid representatives of the berry world - cranberries.
Tastes and description of the berries
Not everyone saw cranberries in the wild - it is an evergreen shrub, has thin shoots up to 30 cm long. The berries are 0.8-1.2 cm in diameter, and some already specially bred varieties can reach 2 cm. The plant blooms in mid-summer, and the berries begin to pick in September and continue throughout autumn. 
It grows in different countries (Russia, the northern part of the United States, Canada, most of Europe) and loves the marshland. It is America that is considered the birthplace of this product.
Cranberries love for its rich sweet-sour taste with a slight bitterness. The taste qualities of the berries are also appreciated because they persist for a long time, including during transportation.
Did you know? Cranberry is the official berry of the American state of Massachusetts since 1994.
Cranberry Nutrition Facts
The rich chemical composition makes cranberries very useful for the human body and provides it with a leading place among the various berries, which are very many on modern shelves.
Calorie content
Berries are low-calorie - only 26 kcal per 100 g of fresh product. Dried berries have already 308 kcal per 100 g, so in this form they are not recommended for use in dietary nutrition, aimed at reducing weight. 
Water, Fat, Protein, Carbohydrate
100 g of fresh berries have the following nutritional value:
- proteins - 0.5 g;
- fats - 0.2 g;
- carbohydrates - 3.7 g;
- ash - 0.3 g;
- water - 89 g
Learn how to grow garden cranberries.
Vitamins, minerals and other ingredients
Cranberry contains various beneficial components that provide its medicinal properties. This composition makes the berry healthier than many vitamin supplements.
Vitamins:
- Group B (B1, B2, B3, B6, B9);
- C;
- E;
- P;
- K;
- PP.
Important! Such a rich and healthy composition has only properly grown cranberries. Do not buy fruits from unverified vendors, because it may contain chemicals hazardous to health.
Minerals:
- potassium;
- calcium;
- magnesium;
- phosphorus;
- iron;
- sodium.
What is the use of cranberries for women
The product is useful for people of any gender and age, because it has many important components for the body. But in this article we will look at the effect of berries on women's health.
For the health of the female body
The product has a very large effect on the body:
- strengthens the immune system, is used in the treatment and prevention of vitamin deficiency, various colds, and even angina;
- normalizes the digestive system, speeds up the metabolism;
- removes from the body excess fluid, slag and toxins, which contributes to weight loss;
- used in the treatment of rheumatism;
- provides oral health;
- has a beneficial effect on the heart;
- effective remedy for various inflammatory diseases.
In addition to the general qualities, it has properties that are more focused for women's health and beauty.
Read what is useful for women: ginger, sunflower seeds, plum, persimmon, pine and Brazil nuts.
For skin, hair and nails
How much a woman looks good depends to a large extent on her diet. The presence of cranberries in the diet is:
- strong and shiny nails that do not exfoliate, and moisturized well-groomed cuticle;
- lighter skin with less wrinkles (especially in the area around the eyes);
- lush hair with a healthy shine. Dyed hair will be stronger, and the color will last longer. Berry also accelerates hair growth, while improving their quality.
For the treatment of female diseases
It is recommended to eat cranberries during a cycle for several reasons:
- Important is the property of the berries to deal with the symptoms of menstrual pain, thanks to its antipyretic and diuretic properties.
To get rid of menstrual pain will help: pomegranate, cinquefoil goose, fig, marjoram, linden, lovage, lavender and viburnum.
- Also, the product improves the appetite, which is important in this state of the female body.
- The presence of a rich vitamin complex replenishes lost reserves of nutrients, so that you feel more quickly normal.
In treating diseases such as cystitis, pyelonephritis, and inflammation of the urinary tract, plant sap is often used. It has a bactericidal effect, and the presence of bioflavonoids in the composition does not allow E. coli to attach to the mucous membrane of the bladder.
Application features
Like many products, cranberries have their own rules for use during pregnancy and lactation.
Cranberry during pregnancy
For pregnant women, cranberries are not just possible, but need to be added to your diet. So how exactly during this period many problems arise that the berry is able to solve:
- deterioration of the quality of teeth;
- disorders of the urinary system;
- weakening of blood vessels;
- lack of necessary resources of the immune system;
- swelling;
- violation of uterine placental circulation.
It is very useful for pregnant women to include in their diet: walnuts, spinach, beets, white cabbage, Peking and broccoli, avocados, bananas, apples, raspberries and strawberries.
Cranberries when breastfeeding
In the period of feeding, you can enter the berry as a therapeutic agent or just a food product, if the mother does not have contraindications (gastrointestinal tract disease, liver or heartburn).
You can start using it from 3 months of the baby, with a few berries a day. Gradually, the dose can be increased. Berry juice (in small quantities) is also useful.
Dry berries contain a lot of sugar, so lactating women should refuse such a delicacy.
Many experienced mothers believe that eating fresh berries improves lactation. However, this fact has not been proven by science. 
Harm and contraindications
There are some categories of people who should refrain from using this product:
- people with gastrointestinal diseases (ulcers, gastritis, etc.) and liver (urolithiasis);
- children under 3 years of age (older children should be gently and gradually introduced into the diet).
Not having any contraindications, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules of administration: do not eat the berry in its pure form (add it to dishes, dilute with water, sugar or honey) and do not eat on an empty stomach, but only after a meal.
Important! If you experience any unpleasant symptoms (heartburn, stomach pain, etc.) after eating cranberries, you should consult a doctor and investigate the possible causes of this reaction.
How to choose the berries
When buying a fresh product, it is very important to inspect its appearance:
- the surface must be dry;
- the slightest traces of mold indicate improper storage;
- the fruits themselves must be resilient and without any mechanical damage.
When buying berries frozen, carefully consider the package - the contents should be evenly distributed over it, and in no case should there be lumps.
It is advisable to simply check the dry product for appearance and taste (if you buy it by weight). 
And in the case of buying a packaged product, pay attention to the credibility of the company, shelf life, package integrity and the absence of unnecessary ingredients in the composition.
Features and rules for storing cranberries
The fruits themselves contain a natural preservative, therefore, to preserve them for a long time does not pose any difficulty. Just being in the refrigerator, they are stored for at least 3 weeks.
How to store berries in the cellar
This method is suitable for those who live in a private house and can make blanks in the cellar, or even for owners of balconies and loggias. To prepare the fruit in this way, you must:
- clean and dry fruit spread on washed glass jars;
- pour cold boiled water;
- close the lid;
- If desired, add a few tablespoons of sugar.
Did you know? Ripe and good cranberries should be sufficiently dense and bounce if it falls and hits the ground.
This method of storage will ensure the availability of all the nutrients, but the long-term presence of berries in the water affects their taste - they become watery.
How to freeze cranberries
This method is considered the most suitable, because it preserves the nutrients almost in full. To use the frozen product as convenient as possible, it is worth doing it according to certain rules:
- wash berries thoroughly and dry;
- lay a small amount on a baking sheet or other horizontal surface in a thin layer and put in the freezer;
- thus freezing all the fruits, pouring each batch into storage tanks in the freezer (airtight bags, containers).
This method will help you to make a stock, where the fruits do not stick together, but will be convenient for batch use. As needed, you can get a bit and add it to a salad, dessert or smoothie.Repeated freezing is not recommended.
How to grind cranberries with sugar for the winter
A good storage method that requires:
- take fruits and sugar in a ratio of 1: 1;
- grind together with a food processor or meat grinder;
- spread out on clean glass jars and cover with nylon or metal lids.
We recommend that you read more about how to freeze cranberries, as well as read the recipes of cranberry blanks for the winter.
In this form it can be used for tea, fruit drinks, like jam for bread or pancakes. Useful qualities are preserved perfectly, but do not forget that in this preparation a lot of sugar.
How to use cranberries for weight loss
Those who watch their weight or try to change it, know about the importance of the product in this process.
Due to cleansing the body of toxins and slags, as well as activating the metabolism, the fruits are advised to add to the diet everyone who wants to normalize their weight.
But there is also a separate diet based on the beneficial qualities of this product. If you do not have contraindications or personal intolerance to the product, this method can help you in solving the problem of overweight:
- in the morning before the first meal you need to drink 1 glass of cranberry drink;
- each subsequent intake should also begin with a drink, or with a handful of fresh berries;
- It is important to change the diet itself - less heavy and fried food is a must. But do not forget that food must be complete and contain all necessary substances;
- It will be useful to eat sauerkraut with cranberries at one of the meals every day.
Important! Cranberry diet does not mean that only this product should be left in the diet. Not going to the power system wisely you risk serious harm to your body.
How to use cranberries for the treatment of diseases
For the treatment of various diseases and their prevention, as well as to strengthen the body, cranberries can be taken in several forms (both internally and externally):
- Infusion: used in hypertension and atherosclerosis. It is made from both fruits and leaves. 10 g of raw materials pour 1 cup boiling water and insist in a thermos for at least 4 hours. After that, strain and use 0.5 cups half an hour before meals before each meal.
- The juice: useful for hypertension, kidney disease, cystitis, tuberculosis, ascites, a long cough that does not go away. For this you need to squeeze the juice from the fruit and use it with honey. It is better not to use such a concentrated product in its pure form, but dilute it with water to avoid possible stomach problems.
- Berries: in pure form, they are an excellent means of treatment and prevention of various diseases described above, and also generally have a strengthening and healing effect.
- Gruel: considered an effective remedy for pediculosis. To do this, warm up 1 cup of fruit and apply on the scalp with soft movements. Soak for half an hour, then rinse with warm water.
- Ointment: agent for the treatment of skin diseases. From 2 tablespoons of fruit, squeeze and strain the juice. Add 50 g of vaseline and lanolin, mix thoroughly. Apply to affected areas. Store in a refrigerator in a container with a lid for several days.
Application of cosmetic properties
Berry is widely used in various recipes of home cosmetology. Complex internal and external use of the plant can significantly affect the external state of the body.
Cranberry Face Masks
Before using such products, you need to accurately determine your skin type and check it for the absence of allergic reactions to this product. These factors are extremely important before using cosmetic masks. You can use both fresh and frozen berries in recipes.
- Mask for oily skin
It is necessary to mix together 2 teaspoons of fruit, 1 egg white, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and a pinch of wheat flour. The finished mask should have a consistency of thick cream. Apply to clean skin and hold for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with plenty of cool water. This tool tightens pores, whitens and removes oily shine. 
- Mask for dry skin
Mix until a homogeneous mass of 2 teaspoons of berries, 1 teaspoon of sour cream or heavy cream and 1 egg yolk. Apply to clean skin for 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water. This tool nourishes and moisturizes the skin.
- Anti-aging mask with gelatin
The tool is prepared in several stages:
- Soak in cold water 1 small bag of gelatin (the proportion of water to gelatin is 2: 1).
- When the mixture swells, add 1 tablespoon of cranberries and 5-10 grapes of any variety.
- Mash thoroughly with a fork or mix with a blender. At the end add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
- The resulting mixture is heated in a microwave for 10-20 seconds or on a water bath until the gelatin is dissolved.
- Put in the fridge for half an hour to thicken.
- Before use, allow the mask to stand at room temperature and apply to the skin.
Time of use is 15-20 minutes. The remains are washed off with warm water. This tool has a significant rejuvenating effect, due to the fact that it smoothes fine lines and significantly tightens the facial contour.
Cranberry Hair Masks
Hair care with this berry is a natural way to solve many problems and improve the overall condition of the hair as a whole. 
- Mask for volume and shine
Mash 3 tablespoons of cranberries and add a few small pieces of finely chopped parsley. Mix everything thoroughly with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. A means to rub into the scalp with intense movements. It is important that the mask covers all hair follicles.
After distributing the remaining mixture over the entire length of the hair. Wrap your head in a bag and leave for at least 30 minutes. After the time, wash off the mask with shampoo.
You can use the tool several times a week.
- Dandruff mask
Dandruff is an unexpected and unloved guest absolutely for any person. Therefore, at the first sign of its appearance, it is worth trying this remedy.
Mix 3 tablespoons of cranberry and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Add to the mixture of juices olive oil in a ratio of 1: 1. Heat the product in a water bath and apply warm to the entire length of the hair (especially carefully treating the roots). 
Soak on the head for no more than 7 minutes, then massage the head and rinse with warm water and shampoo.
Repeat the procedure 2-3 times a week (at least) for 1.5 months.
How to strengthen the nails with berries
To strengthen the nails and skin of your hands, it is enough to regularly rub the nail plate and fingers with juicy berries. This tool is worth keeping for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water and apply your usual hand cream.
This will help strengthen the nails, soften the cuticle and improve the condition of the skin of the hands.
Natural ingredients are an inexhaustible storehouse of beneficial substances. The ability to properly and balanced combine them with your diet will give you tremendous opportunities to strengthen and heal the body, as well as help effectively and naturally deal with various diseases.
