Cranberry Juice can prevent periodontal disease!

Cranberries are among the top foods with proven health benefits, according to Amy Howell, a researcher at Rutgers University.

 

Cranberries are full of antioxidants, which protects cells from damage by unstable molecules called free radicals.

The National Institutes of Health is funding research on the cranberry’s effects on heart disease, yeast infections and other conditions, and other researchers are investigating its potential against cancer, stroke and viral infections.

Here are some of the benefits:

• Drinking cranberry juice can block urinary infections by binding to bacteria so they can’t adhere to cell walls. While women often drink unsweetened cranberry juice to treat an infection, there’s no hard evidence that works.
• A compound Howell discovered in cranberries, proanthocyanidine, prevents plaque formation on teeth; mouthwashes containing it are being developed to prevent periodontal disease.
• In some people, regular cranberry juice consumption for months can kill the H. pylori bacteria, which can cause stomach cancer and ulcers.

Preliminary research also shows:

• Drinking cranberry juice daily may increase levels of HDL, or good cholesterol and reduce levels of LDL, or bad cholesterol.
• Cranberries may prevent tumors from growing rapidly or starting in the first place.
• Extracts of chemicals in cranberries prevent breast cancer cells from multiplying in a test tube; whether that would work in women is unknown.

Here are a few ideas for getting these antioxidant powerhouses into your life:

• Add dried cranberries to your favorite cereal
• Drink 100% fruit juice that includes cranberries
• Sneak cranberries into blueberry muffins for added color and flavor
• Pair cranberries with chicken and pork dishes    

Cranberry Apple Crisp Recipe

INGREDIENTS

For 9 servings

• 5 cups tart apples (about 6 medium apples), pared and sliced
• 1½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1/3 cup sugar
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ cup butter

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan.

Layer apples and cranberries in pan, sprinkling with sugar as you layer.

Make topping: Mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Work in butter until light and crumbly. Sprinkle topping evenly over apples and cranberries.

Bake 45 minutes or until apples are tender.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

CALORIES  210 (25% from fat); PROTEIN 1g; FAT 6g; CARBOHYDRATES 39g; CHOLESTEROL 15mg; FIBER 3g; SODIUM 64mg.

Cranberry Spinach Salad

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3/4 cup almonds, blanched and slivered
• 1 pound spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons minced onion
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Directions

• In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook and stir almonds in butter until lightly toasted. Remove from heat, and let cool.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, onion, paprika, white wine vinegar, cider vinegar, and vegetable oil. Toss with spinach just before serving.
• In a large bowl, combine the spinach with the toasted almonds and cranberries.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 338 | Total Fat: 23.5g | Cholesterol: 4mg

To be Continued...

   Tune in later for more food medicine

 

Sponsor of this week:

      http://seermust.com  the most potent garlic sauce in the history of mankind