The cranberry grows on a dwarf shrub or trailing vine found in acidic bogs throughout cooler regions of the Northern hemisphere. The shrubs grow up to two metres long, and are five to ten centimetres in height. The flowers is produced are dark pink, and the berries are larger than the leaves of the plant. Cranberries are white at first, and turn red when they ripen. They have an acidic flavour, and are mostly consumed in juices or sauces, particularly in the US and Canada where they are commercially grown. However, as the health benefits of the cranberry become widely known, it is becoming popular to consume them raw.

Cranberries, when commercially grown, are water harvested. The berries float above the surface, exposing them to sunlight, which makes the anthocyanin content increase. The unique blend of anthocyanins and a high Vitamin C and manganese content are the reasons why the health benefits of the cranberry are so many.

Did you know abut these health benefits of the cranberry?

• Cranberries have been shown to prevent urinary tract infections by preventing harmful bacteria from attaching to the bladder and urethra. Substances called proanthocyanidins are to thank for this – their structure is a barrier to these harmful bacteria. Studies done on women with recurrent UTIs showed a marked decrease in their occurrence.

• Cranberries can help against stomach ulcers, as ulcers are related to an overgrowth of Heliobacteria Pylori. Cranberries prevent this bacteria from attaching itself to the lining of the stomach.

• Cranberries contain phytonutrients that have an anti-inflammatory effect. They reduce inflammation in the digestive tract and the cardiovascular system. Cranberries help lower the risk of gum disease due to their anti-inflammatory properties. They also reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis, due to their prevention of the inflammation of blood vessel walls.

• Cranberries lower the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL) in your body, and increase the amount of good cholesterol (HDL). This is because cranberries reduce both oxidation and inflammation in the body, two conditions which cause LDL molecules to thrive.

• The astringent tannins in cranberries help contract tissues and stop bleeding. Also, cranberries have an antibiotic effect, and for these reasons it will help speed up the healing of wounds, especially when applied externally to the body as a poultice.