Cranberries are rich in antioxidants and nutrients. So they are known as a superfood. You can intake them as fresh fruit, juice, sauce, or added to desserts, casseroles, and stuffings. North America is the native place of cranberry. Cranberry grows on approximately 58,000 acres in Chile, the northern United States, and Canada. It comes under the family Ericaceae.
It is a good idea to add cranberry to your diet because it is an antioxidant powerhouse and incredibly healthy.
You can collect some information about cranberry from the article below. Like – as cranberry in Tamil, its cost, how to intake it as a healthy food, its breakdown as per nutritional values, health benefits of cranberry, its availability, popularity, and many more.
| English name | Cranberry |
| Tamil name | Kurutinelli |
| Scientific name or subgenus | Vaccinium subg. Oxycoccus |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Ericaceae |
| Order | Ericales |
| Genus | Vaccinium |
Cranberry in Tamil Name
Kurutinelli is the Tamil name of cranberry. If you are in a Tamil-telling area ( Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, etc.), and want to buy some cranberries, then you have to ask them for Kurutinelli. Because it is possible that the local people can’t understand the english name, but if you are in a city area, you can use the english name in city markets or restaurants.
Some Products of Cranberry
Click here to Check Some products of Cranberry on amazon.
Health benefits of cranberry
All dieticians and doctors advise adding a lot of vegetables and fruits to your regular diet. Fruits, including cranberry, work as an antioxidant and provide a good amount of different vitamins. There are a lot of potential health benefits of cranberry you can get. Some of them are –
1. Treats UTIs
cranberry is traditionally used to treat UTIs. Cranberry contains a high amount of PACs ( proanthocyanidins ), an antioxidant. It helps to prevent the attack of certain bacteria on the walls of the urinary tract. So PACs helps to avoid urinary infection.
Consuming only cranberry is not only the solution to UTI problems. You should consult with your doctor first. According to a study, Oregano essential oil and coconut oil extracts can deliver caprylic acid. With the combination of cranberry extract, this acid can kill Escherichia coli, the most common bacteria.
2. Helps to decrease cardiovascular disease risks
according to a study in 2019, a person can manage different CDV ( cardiovascular disease ) risks by adding cranberries to his diet. It can reduce the risk of systolic blood pressure. During the time of muscle contraction of the heart, the risk of systolic blood pressure may be high.
The supplementation of cranberry helps to improve the level of good cholesterol and HDL ( high-density lipoprotein) and decrease the BMI ( body mass index ).
A combination of high-content plant compounds and a beverage of low-calorie cranberry is very health-friendly. You must consume a single dose of this combination to improve your HDL lipoprotein level and blood sugar regulation. It can reduce inflammation.
3. Brings improvement in cancer patients
cranberry compounds have several good effects on test tube cancer cells. Some benefits are –
- It helps to deduct inflammation.
- Slow down cancer cell growth.
- Triggers the cancer cell’s death.
Cranberry also helps to fight against some mechanisms which help the cancer cells to spread and grow.
4. Boosts oral health
cranberry contains PACs which help to enhance oral health. It also fights against tooth decay due to bacteria strands and helps keep the teeth strong. You can also consume cranberry to avoid gum diseases.
References- medicalnewstoday
Side effects of Cranberry
- If you intake a drug for blood thinning ( warfarin ), you should consult your doctor before consuming cranberry. According to a study, any blood thinner drug, including warfarin combined with cranberry, can lead to increased anticlot effects.
- If you consume cranberry in high quantity, it may be the cause of high oxalate excretion through urine and promotes kidney stone
Types of cranberry
There are more than 100 varieties of cranberries farmed commercially all over the world. The growing procedures of all these cranberries are different from each other. Some of them are evergreen shrubs, and others are trailing vines. Ericaceae or heather is the family of all cranberry plants. There are limited true cranberry plants. From this article, you can know about nine varieties as true cranberries because you can’t count all as true. With a little dedication and care, you can grow these nine types of cranberries in your backyard.
1. Ben lear
in Wisconsin, the Ben lear cranberry variety was chosen for cultivation in 1901. It is a wild-type variety. This plant has deep red and large berries. This native variety is very productive. The popularity of ben lear cranberry is high because of its versatility. But in the past, it is not that famous and not in the stage of acceptable genotype.
You can grow this variety of cranberry commercially with the help of the original variety’s clone. You can also attend some breeding programs to learn about creating new cultivars.
Ben lear is a great option for preparing cranberry sauce and juice. Its dried form is also very delicious. You can decorate food with it.
2. Stevens
this cranberry plant is one of the popular varieties. Stevens is a hybrid cranberry plant that dominates the market of cultivation.
Compared to the ripening time of Howes cranberry, Stevens cranberry ripens faster or earlier. The color of this berry is deep red. Stevens cranberry is low in pectin but more in juicy nature. These two factors make it an ideal option for commercial processing.
3. Crimson queen
in 2006, the crimson queen was released by Dr. Nicholi Vorsa as the first cranberry variety. It is a hybrid cranberry variety produced by the hybrid cross of Stevens and Ben Lear cranberries. This variety is the improvisation of these two cranberry varieties. So it tastes much better.
As compared to Ben Lean, it provides more yields and is larger. As compared to Stevens, the crimson queen blooms more quicker.
4. Early Black
it is the famous cranberry variety among regular flowers, and its ripening time is very quick. Early Black cranberry plant has dark red and small berries, which are very sweet.
Compared to other varieties of modern hybrid cranberries, its yield capacity is very low. For its good growth, it needs to prune. You have to take care of this variety because it is prone to fungal diseases.
5. Howes
Compared to the riping time of Early Black, Howes have been ripened lately. Howes plant has shiny berries, and it is resistant to frost. In 1843, the Howes cranberry plant was found. It has been quite famous since that time.
The berries of his plant can be stored well, and the fruits are firm. False blossom disease is the susceptible disease for Howes cranberry. But it is resistant to rot and also frost.
6. Franklin
it is a hybrid cranberry variety combination of Howes and Early Black cranberry. It is very popular for its high pectin content and low juiciness level. Strangely, this variety has a low juiciness level, but you can surely prepare delicious juice from Franklin.
The time for the ripe berry of this plant is very early. You can also store it for a long time. Franklin cranberry plant has great resistance to blossom diseases and dreaded false.
7. McFarlin
this cranberry variety is resistant to the disease of false blossom. In 1874, McFarlin was discovered from the wild. This plant has large fruits, but its ripening time is long.
8. Scarlet Knight
this variety of cranberry produces high quantity yields. Scarlet Knight cranberry is a hybrid variety. This plant has large and great-quality fruits. The color of the fruits is dark red, and it is sweet.
9. Pilgrim
the fruits ofthis plant are deep red, and its ripening time is typically late. It is a cross-hybrid cranberry. It is juicy and has a good quality of keeping. The pectin is low in this berry variety. Pilgrim cranberry shows great resistance to false blossoms as well as frost.
Some photos of Cranberry
Nutritional value of cranberry
The nutritional value of half a cup of chopped cranberry is –
| Calories | 25 kcal |
| Protein | 0.25 grams |
| Fiber | 2 grams |
| Fat | 0.07 grams |
| Calcium | 4.4 mg |
| Carbohydrate | 6.6 grams |
| Natural sugar | 2.35 grams |
| Iron | 0.12 mg |
| Potassium | 44 mg |
| Magnesium | 3.3 mg |
| Sodium | 1.1 mg |
| Phosphorus | 6 mg |
| Zinc | 0.05 mg |
| Folae DFE | 0.5 microgram |
| Vitamin A | 35 iu ( international units ) |
| Vitamin C | 7.7 mg |
| Vitamin E | 0.72 mg |
| Vitamin K | 2.75 mcg |
One hundred grams of cranberry contains –
Water – 87%
Calories – 46 kcal
Sugar – 4 grams
Protein – 0.4 grams
Fat – 0.1 grams
Carbs – 12.2 grams
Fiber – 4.6 grams
There is also a range of vital B vitamins present in cranberry –
- Thiamin ( vitamin B-1 )
- Riboflavin ( vitamin B-2 )
- Niacin ( vitamin B-3 )
- Vitamin B-6
Cranberries also contain vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber, which are beneficial for health development.
Some antioxidants present in cranberry are –
- Ursolic acid
- Peonidin
- Myricetin
- A-type proanthocyanidins
- quercetin
Vitamin C
Vitamin c is a natural and powerful antioxidant. The National Institutes of Health defines the benefits of vitamin C present in cranberry are –
- It is helpful to boost immunity power.
- It is helpful for the damages due to free radicals.
- Your body needs collagen for the healing of wounds. Vitamin c helps to produce collagen.
- It helps to absorb iron from sources of plants.
Fiber
you can intake a high fiber content to decrease health risks. Some risks are – diabetes, hypertension, obesity, stroke, high cholesterol, some conditions of gastro intestine, and coronary heart diseases.
Increasing fiber intake in your body helps boost weight loss procedures, improve insulin sensitivity, and bring down cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
Vitamin E
works as a fat-soluble antioxidant. It has an important role in the function of the immune system. Vitamin E helps to delay or cure chronic conditions ( cancer, arthritis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cataracts ) which are associated with free radicals.
References- healthline & everydayhealth
Cost of cranberry in Tamil areas
The cost of cranberry may differ according to the type, quality, place, and fresh or dried form. It is a little expensive. You can buy 1 kg of cranberry by spending approximately Rs 450 to Rs 1200 in India. You must spend around Rs 630 to Rs 800 per kg to buy cranberry in Tamil Nadu.
Availability and popularity of cranberry in Tamil-telling areas ( Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh )
You can see enough cultivation of cranberry in some Indian states like – Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Karnataka. The places have dry soil and warm weather, which cranberry needs to grow. But you can also grow cranberry in your backyard by developing the soil quality according to the need. So you can find no deficiency of cranberry in South India.
The eye-catching deep red color and sweet taste of cranberry make it popular among Indians, including the Tamil-telling people or South Indian people. They love to use it to prepare many kinds of desserts and drinks.
Popular Recipes of cranberry in Tamil areas
Cranberry is a delicious and sweet fruit. You can make mouth-watering sauces from cranberry. Here are some recipes prepared by cranberry: cranberry orange bread, cranberry tart, cheese salad with cranberry dressings, baked cranberry sauce, cranberry metaballs, cranberry relish, paleo cranberry crumb bars, cranberry jelly, and many more.
Conclusion
You can consume cranberries in the form of juice, dried, or as supplements. These are great sources of minerals, vitamins, and different plant compounds. The contents of cranberry provide so many health benefits. Most people can consume cranberry without any issues. But pregnant women and patients with particular diseases should avoid eating cranberry daily because it has some demerits. They should consult with doctors before adding it to their diet.
Frequently asked questions
Who should avoid the consumption of cranberry?
Cranberry is considered a natural healthy food that provides potential health benefits. But this fact is not appropriate for every person. Here is a brief about who shouldn’t consume cranberry – pregnant ladies, UTI patients, patients who intake blood-thinning drugs, nursing mothers, and who have stomach issues.
You should consume limited quantities of cranberry that your body needs and don’t go overboard. It is high in sugar. So drink cranberry juice, not more than one glass per day.
How to select ripened cranberries?
Generally, you have to buy cranberries in packages. If you can choose your cranberry on your own, then the bounce test is the best procedure for choosing the ripened ones. There is a little air pocket you can find in any ripe cranberry. You have to give it a little bounce. If it opposes and bounces back, it is ripened and ready to eat.
How should you store your cranberries for a long?
If you have fresh cranberries, you can store them in the refrigerator for atleast one month. You can use the freezer to store it for more than six months. If you have dried cranberries, you must store them in an air-tight container. You can place it in the fridge too.
What are the most common side effects of consuming cranberries?
1. Diarrhea
2. Abdominal or stomach upset
3. Kidney stone
4. In the case of predisposed patients, you can see the high risk of cancer oxalate uroliths.
