Cranberries are a mainstay during the holidays, when they show up on the table at Thanksgiving in the form of jam. But did you know that these little berries offer numerous health benefits besides being a festive food? Read on to learn more about cranberries and the benefits of having more of them in your life:
Cranberries in Skincare
Cranberries are incredibly rich in antioxidants, which are substances that help protect your skin and fight against free radicals that damage your skin. The acid in cranberries can act as a natural exfoliant, and their high Vitamin A and Vitamin C content can help boost collagen production. Cranberry extract or oil can be found in many skincare products, including some by Well Within Beauty, a beauty and wellness company that produces high quality natural beauty products.
One of their most popular products is the Purify + Condition Makeup Remover, which is a gentle yet effective first step cleanser that easily gets rid of sunscreen and makeup without disrupting your skin. Cranberry seed oil is a prominent ingredient in this natural makeup remover, and acts to help maintain moisture, softness and elasticity in the skin.
Fight Age-related Damage
Free radicals don’t just damage your skin and cause fine lines and wrinkles. They can also affect your overall health, and contribute to causing diabetes, heart disease and even cancer.
Drinking cranberry juice regularly increases your antioxidant intake and can help your body fight against free radicals that damage your body’s tissues and cause age-related problems. Consuming whole berries is even better, as they contain more potent antioxidants than juice, though both have significant benefits.
Treat or Prevent UTI
UTI or urinary tract infections are infections in any part of your urinary system, though they most commonly affect the lower urinary tract. When you have a UTI, you may experience a burning sensation when you pee, your urine may have a cloudy appearance and a strong smell, and you may experience pain in your pelvic region.
Cranberry juice is thought to have antibacterial properties that prevent the growth of bacterial infections that affect your urinary tract, which is why it is often recommended to drink plenty of cranberry juice while treating a UTI.
Promote Digestive Health
Lastly, cranberries are thought to play and important role in digestive health because of the phytochemicals they contain. Consuming more cranberries may help you digest better and may help to regulate your bowel movements for better gut health.
Evidence for the digestive health benefits of cranberry juice was reported in a study from 2018 in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, among other health benefits.
These are just a few of the many health benefits these small, bright berries can offer. Don’t think of them as just a holiday or Thanksgiving treat; consider adding more of them to your diet and looking for skincare products that contain cranberries in their ingredients list. You just may enjoy better skin, gut and overall health by adding more cranberries to your diet and lifestyle.
