Cranberries: A Great Fruit for the Kidneys and Bladder
The Cranberry is a native North American plant that usually grows in boggy areas. Most cranberries are cultivated for commercial use in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Oregon, and Washington. These bright red fruit belong to the same family as the blueberry and huckleberry. Unlike, blueberries and huckleberries, cranberries are extremely tart. Most commercial manufactures sweeten the berries. Otherwise, cranberries are usually too tart to eat raw.
Cranberry juice has been used as a home remedy for preventing kidney and bladder stones for many years. It has also been found to be a remedy for cystitis. The beneficial action in the cranberry is thought to come from a natural antibiotic substance it possesses. This substance keeps organisms from clinging to bladder walls and forming colonies. Cranberries also contain quinic acid, which has been found to increase urine acidity and prevent cystitis.
Many urologists and gynecologists suggest that patients drink a couple of glasses of cranberry juice daily to help prevent chronic bladder infections. If symptoms develop or continue, a patient should consult with his physician, who will likely prescribe antibiotics to cure an established urinary infection.
Commercial cranberry juice usually contains large amounts of sugar to make the cranberry juice more palatable. Also, commercial cranberry juice is often too diluted to be effective at fighting off or treating urinary infections. To maximize the health benefits of cranberries, a juicer can be used to make your own cranberry juice. Making your own juice can also give you control over the amount of sugar you add.
When eaten whole, cranberries provide fiber, These small berries also provide a fair source of vitamin C and bioflavinoids.
