By now, you understand that fueling your body with the right foods allows it to thrive, giving it strength the natural way God intended. But that goes beyond physical stamina - a proper diet will provide excellent overall health and wellness. In fact, there are certain foods loaded with vital antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients that can help prevent the occurrence of chronic disease and even certain cancers.
Particularly, cranberries are chock full of antioxidants that have been known to exhibit healing properties, according to NaturalHealth365. Let's take a closer look at this beneficial fruit and find out just how powerful it can be when it comes to cancer prevention:
The Power of Natural Sustenance
This tart, slightly sweet fruit may be your go-to snack to satisfy a craving, but that's not the only way it's benefiting you. Cranberries come in a close second to blueberries in providing the most antioxidants of any berry variety, earning them a reputation for maximum healing properties.
This natural treat is loaded with resveratrol and flavonoids, two substances that are known to boost overall health and wellness. Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant present in a variety of berries. Flavanoids have been known to fight free radicals in the body, giving cranberries the power to fight illness and disease. In cranberries, three types of flavanoids exist: anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins and bioactive compound flavanol. All classes have the power to diminish free radicals and harmful bacteria in your system.
Ursolic acid also exists in this delicious berry. It's an anti-inflammatory with anti-tumor properties, which gives it the reputation for preventing and fighting multiple cancers.
Research conducted at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth found that the abundance of antioxidants, complemented by the anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor nutrients of both cranberries and blueberries provide enough evidence to prove that these two fruits can protect the body against cancer and vascular diseases.
How to Get the Most out of Your Cranberries
Before you head to the grocery store and pick up all of the cranberries you can find, there are a few factors to consider, as Ann Malkmus stated in her book "Unravel the Mystery."
"When we realize that the foods we consume
With that said, here are a few tips to remember before purchasing your cranberries, or any other produce:
- Shop locally when possible - This gives you a better idea of how your produce was grown.
- Know your soil - Were pesticides used in the process of growing the cranberries? Was the soil depleted of its nutrients?
- Freshness is key - When was the produce grown?
Eating more cranberries will certainly benefit your body, but be sure to consume a variety of fresh produce. You'll receive essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients from an abundance of fruits and vegetables. A plant based diet is key for fueling the body to ward away sickness, disease and cancers.
