Cranberry - A well-known sour berry, a relative of lingonberries, growing in different parts of the world, as a rule, in swampy areas. There are many varieties of this berry: they are all edible and are a source of vitamins and other nutrients, a favorite treat for people and an indispensable ingredient in cooking.
- Calorie, Vitamins and Minerals
- Cranberry Berries
- Cranberry during pregnancy
- Cranberry Recipes
- With a weakened immunity
- With a cold
- With angina
- With hypertension
- With cystitis
- For diseases of the joints
- How to use in cosmetology
- Cranberries in cooking: what to cook, how to prepare and store
- Possible contraindications
Calorie, Vitamins and Minerals
Cranberries are a low-calorie product, but the number of calories in fresh and dried berries varies greatly (which is understandable, because moisture leaves the fruit during drying, which causes them to lose weight many times).
So, if 100 g of fresh berries contain only 25 Kcal, then the same mass of dried product accounts for more than 300 Kcal. This is worth remembering for those who, intending to lose weight, nibble dried cranberries all day. 
Proteins, fats and carbohydrates in cranberries are in the ratio 0,5 : 0,2 : 3,7.
A distinctive feature of the cranberry composition is a large number pectin. In addition, berries containing sugars, anthocyanins, catechins, betaine, organic acids - citric, malic, oxalic, ursolic, chlorogenic, succinic, oleander and others.
The mineral composition includes potassium, phosphorus, calcium, as well as other essential for living organisms. items - sodium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron, molybdenum, iodine, zinc. A small amount of nickel, silver, tin, cobalt, chromium, titanium, boron and other "representatives" of the periodic table is present in these fruits.Cranberry Berries
The beneficial properties of cranberries for the body are determined by its unique composition.So, cranberry berries:
- improve appetite and, increasing the production of gastric and pancreatic juice, stimulate the digestive system, thereby shown in low acidity and some diseases of the pancreas;
- beneficial effect on urinary system, have a diuretic effect, contribute to the suppression of the development of pathogenic bacteria, therefore, are indicated for renal disorders;
- endowed with property stop inflammatory processes and even hinder the development of malignant neoplasms (especially in the intestines, mammary glands and prostate);
- balancing cholesterol in the blood, it has a beneficial effect on the vessels, stimulates the work of the heart, relieves headaches, is a good prevention of atherosclerosis and strokes;
- refresh and invigorate, quench thirst and have antipyretic properties, due to which it is indicated for respiratory viral diseases, influenza;
- kill the malicious flora in the body, they have an anthelmintic effect (experiments show that even spoiled minced meat, to which cranberry concentrate was added,later it turned out to be edible and did not cause stomach disorders).
This healing elixir is also endowed with the ability to disinfect wounds and heal burns, as well as to increase the effectiveness of antibiotics.
Cranberry during pregnancy
A separate topic is the role of cranberries in the life of future mothers. As you know, any viral and other acute diseases during pregnancy are especially dangerous, and taking antibiotics during this period can be no less detrimental than the infection itself.
On the other hand, the female body during the carrying of the baby is under additional stress and is therefore particularly at risk of being affected by viruses. Further, the kidneys and urogenital organs are those systems of the body that are most often affected during pregnancy. 
Cranberries with its bactericidal, anti-inflammatory properties, which are manifested both in the general effects on the body, and, in particular, in relation to the genitourinary system, during pregnancy simply indispensable!
But that's not all. Drinking cranberries will help the expectant mother to get rid of the varicose veins that often arise during this period, since this berry has a very beneficial effect on the work of the blood vessels. The same property of cranberries ensures the normalization of blood circulation in the area of the placenta, and, therefore, helps the fetus to develop normally.
Cranberry Recipes
Traditional medicine knows many ways to be treated with cranberries. We will tell only some of them.
With a weakened immunity
In the cold season and especially in spring, when the reserves of vitamins in our body are depleted, it's time to take care of a little health. 
Sour frozen or dried berries will be most welcome. A handful of these fruits need to fall asleep in a thermos, pour boiling water, insist and drink with the addition of sugar or honey.
With a cold
Cranberries for colds, flu, and respiratory infections with fever do not just give the body a loading dose of what is necessary in this condition vitamin C, but also has a diaphoretic effect, prevents dehydration, especially dangerous at elevated body temperature. 
It is recommended to use fruits for treatment. in such ways:
- pour hot water over crushed cranberries and insist, as indicated in the previous section, drink large quantities during the day;
- cook cranberry juice: chop the fruit with a blender, discard on gauze, squeeze the juice. Cake pour hot water, bring to a boil and cool. Then strain and mix with juice. If desired, add sugar or honey;
- Pure cranberry juice with honey is also an excellent cough remedy.
With angina
Cranberry juice, prepared as described above, very well helps with angina.
With hypertension
Cranberries are also indicated for high blood pressure.How to brew cranberries, as described above. 
In addition, lowering the pressure will help receiving cranberry juice - pure or mixed with the same amount of freshly squeezed red beet juice.
On the basis of cranberries, there are more complex recipes used in hypertension.
With cystitis
Cranberry helps a lot with symptoms of such an unpleasant and painful condition as cystitis.
The secret is that it has the property of pushing pathogenic microbes from the walls of the bladder and, thus, arrest the inflammatory process. The best treatment is cranberry juice, just squeezed: a glass half an hour before meals twice a day - and you're fine!
For diseases of the joints
Cranberries to relieve joint pain are taken with a prescription similar to that used to treat hypertension.
Mix freshly squeezed cranberry and garlic juice in the ratio 5 : 2, Insist 24 hours, mixing from time to time.
Add honey (twice the volume of the berries), mix again and take a teaspoon three times a day 15 minutes before meals.
How to use in cosmetology
Not paid attention to such a useful product and cosmetology. It is not surprising, because the sour berry has a beneficial effect on the entire body. 
From cranberry exposure, the skin becomes more elastic and taut, acquires youth, velvety and pleasant color. Also, the berry will help get rid of the peeling and dryness, remove unhealthy shine and redness, and even eliminate such an unpleasant phenomenon as acne. Cranberry is very useful for hair (especially fat type).
To prepare cranberry lotion for oily skin, rub a whole lemon on a grated surface, pour in vodka (250 ml), remove it in a dark place and forget it for a week.
After this period, we filter, add to the liquid a glass of freshly squeezed cranberry juice, 100 ml of boiled water, cooled to room temperature, and a tablespoon of glycerin. 
Mix all ingredients well. This lotion is used to wipe the skin of the face daily before bedtime.
On the basis of red berries can be cooked face mask. Grind the fruit in a blender or crushed in a mortar and apply the resulting substance to the already cleansed skin.
Leave for a quarter of an hour, then gently wash off with warm water. Repeat the procedure three times a week for a month.
Cranberries in cooking: what to cook, how to prepare and store
Cranberries are used not only in traditional medicine and cosmetology, but also in cooking: thanks to its sour taste, it is applicable not only in desserts and cocktails, but also in salads and main dishes - both meat and fish, including various seafood.
About all kinds of jams, marmalades, confitures, jelly, fruit drinks, compote and kvass, liqueurs and liqueurs can not be said at all.
The product as a culinary ingredient can be used fresh, frozen, dried, soaked and even pickled. Berry creates unique compositions in an ensemble with citrus fruits and apples, nuts, vegetables and even mushrooms.
Berry can be added to the finished oatmeal, giving the product even greater benefits and enriching the taste.A light salad is recommended to make a light salad of dried cranberries, cream cheese and boiled chicken fillet, for dessert - a fruit salad with cranberries, grapefruit or pineapple and whipped cream.
Baked poultry will play a completely unique notes, if you apply to her cranberry sauce with apples. To prepare the sauce, put 0.5 kg of fresh cranberries into a saucepan, cut into slices two sour-sweet apples, half a cup of powdered sugar, a pinch (or stick) of cinnamon and a little water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and boil until thick. Bon Appetit! 
Possible contraindications
Like any potent agent, cranberries can bring not only benefits, but also harm. The red color of the berry suggests that it can cause allergies (besides, many suffer from intolerance to ascorbic acid).
In order to avoid adverse effects of the product on the walls of the stomach, it is better to use berries for such people (even in remission) after a hearty meal.
Finally, excessive use of sour berries can adversely affect the condition of your teeth, therefore, after eating such food, you should at least thoroughly rinse the mouth.
All listed contraindications are very conditional: they call for only to exercise healthy caution and a sense of proportion in the use of berries, which can bring undeniable benefits to health.
