Cranberries are sour, round, small, bright red berries, often used to flavour meat dishes, stuff desserts or make drinks. Often associated with Christmas and Thanksgiving dishes in the USA and Canada, cranberries are also appreciated in Lithuania. Cranberries are both a useful food and a remedy for illnesses with many beneficial properties. One of the ways to consume cranberries is cranberry juice – let’s learn more about it.
Cranberries – where to look and when to pick?
Cranberries are most often found in areas with acidic soil, including on high moorland on kiminas. The best time to harvest is from the beginning of September to the end of October. Currently, the most cranberries in Lithuania are harvested in the Čepkeliai, Kamani and Žuvintas wetlands. Unfortunately, during the Soviet era, the reclamation of the marshes and the extraction of peat led to the destruction of many of the cranberry growing sites. Today, most of the cranberry groves are located in nature reserves. By the way, if you find yourself in a rich cranberry patch while berry picking, come back next year and you will find these precious berries again.
The benefits of cranberry juice
One of the uses of cranberries is juicing. Such juice has health benefits, as it is used to prevent infections and to delay or reduce the severity of chronic diseases. Some of the chemicals in cranberry juice are antioxidants – compounds that fight harmful free radicals. The fact that cranberries contain antioxidants means that both the berries and their juice can have a positive effect on the body’s tissues damaged during ageing.
There are studies that show that chemicals such as polyphenols found in cranberry juice can support heart health. One study group regularly drank cranberry juice, which resulted in lower levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol. Another study found that cranberry juice has a positive effect on the health of people with vascular disease.
Studies show that cranberries can inhibit bacterial growth. The antibacterial properties of these berries also make them suitable for preventing or treating urinary tract infections and fighting bacteria and viruses.
By the way, in order to get the most out of cranberry juice, it is best to choose a juice that is not made from concentrate so that it does not contain added sugar. It is best to make your own cranberry juice at home and to mix cranberry juice with fruit to make it sweeter.
Side effects of cranberry juice
Some studies have shown that cranberry juice can interact with certain drugs such as warfarin. Cranberries have blood-thinning properties and can therefore intensify the effects of this blood-thinning medicine. Studies also show that cranberries interact with drugs such as diclofenac, amoxicillin, ceflacor, tizanidine, flubiprofen, cyclosporine and midazolam. If you are taking these medicines, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist before drinking cranberry juice – you may need to monitor the doses and effects of the medicines.
There is insufficient reliable information on the effects of cranberry juice in larger quantities on pregnant and breastfeeding women. No such studies have been carried out on this group of women. Therefore, cranberries and cranberry juice should be consumed in moderation during pregnancy and lactation.
It is worth being aware that these berries contain high levels of salicylic acid. This acid is similar to aspirin, so cranberry juice should be avoided by people who are allergic to aspirin. People with kidney stones should also avoid drinking cranberry juice because of the presence of the chemical oxalate. This substance can increase the risk of kidney stones.
Cranberry juice can also increase the acidity of the stomach and cause reflux. Some people find that cranberry juice leaves an unusual taste in the mouth or temporarily irritates gums and lips.
How to make cranberry juice at home?
This healthy drink is very easy to make at home. All you need is cranberries and water. Cranberries can be used either fresh or frozen. Wash the berries, put them in a saucepan, cover with water and boil. Once the water boils, cook for another 20 minutes or so until the berries are soft or starting to burst. Then strain the decoction through a sieve, and don’t forget to squeeze the berries themselves with a spoon, as they contain the highest levels of beneficial substances. Taste the resulting drink. Cranberry juice can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days, but you will get the most benefits from it if you consume it within 2-3 days. You can also freeze cranberry juice in portions. Frozen cranberry juice should be consumed within 3 months.
If you want sweetness, add honey, maple syrup or sweetener and stir. Alternatively, you can try mixing the cranberry juice with fruit juice. Taste, stir and discover your favourite cranberry drink.
Here are some recommendations on which fruit juices are suitable for mixing with cranberry juice:
- Orange juice is one of the most popular additives in cranberry recipes. You can also try mixing it with mandarin juice. This juice will add a subtle sweetness to the drink.
- Lemon or lime juice – will add a little bitterness and extra acidity to your cocktail.
- Pineapple juice – adds a wonderful exotic flavour to a cranberry cocktail and a natural sweetness. Worth a try!
- Cinnamon – a spice that will take your mind back to a cosy autumn evening.
How do I the juice at home without cooking the berries?
If you want to make cranberry juice using a juicer, that is also possible. However, you should choose a slow-speed juicer and not expect to get a large portion of juice. Cranberries are quite dry berries, so the amount of juice will be very small.
Here’s another way to get the juice: mix 3 glasses of cranberries with 2 glasses of water, crush them with a food processor until smooth and leave them in the fridge for 4-6 hours. Once the juice has set, strain it and, if necessary, sweeten it with sweetener and add more water. This is not the best way to prepare cranberry juice, as the juice will be too bitter and acrid.
Drinking cranberry juice to cleanse the body
Cranberry juice can also be used to cleanse the body and improve health. Of course, in order to improve health, it is a good idea to take some additional steps along with the consumption of cranberry juice: stop smoking if you smoke, get more fresh air, exercise, try to maintain an optimal body weight, limit alcohol and caffeine intake, and include more vegetables in your diet. All of these actions will contribute to your well-being. To make a detoxifying cranberry juice drink you will need:
- 1 teaspoon sugar-free cranberry juice
- 2 cups of water
- 1 bag of detox tea
- 1 teaspoon blueberries
- 1 small handful of spinach
- stevia or other sweetener if you want sweetness
Boil one cup of water and pour it over the tea bag, leave for 7 minutes. Remove the tea bag when the tea is steeped, pour in the rest of the water, add the blueberries, cranberry juice and spinach. Leave in the fridge overnight. Strain the resulting drink, sweeten with sweetener if necessary and taste. This quantity of ingredients will make 2 servings of the drink.
Sources:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323752
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-958/cranberry
https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_cranberry_supplements/article.htm
https://www.alphafoodie.com/how-to-make-cranberry-juice/
https://confessionsofanover-workedmom.com/cranberry-juice-detox-water-bladder-health/
Associative photos © Canva.