Wednesday, January 15, 2014

You Can Get the Antioxidant Benefits of Cranberries Long After the Holidays

Cranberries: Year-Round Superfood

You Can Get the Antioxidant Benefits of Cranberries Long After the Holidays
By 
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD

We know cranberry sauce as a staple at the holidays, but cranberries are a superfood that you should enjoy all year round.
Cranberries have vitamin C and fiber, and are only 45 calories per cup. In disease-fighting antioxidants, cranberries outrank nearly every fruit and vegetable--including strawberries, spinach, broccoli, red grapes, apples, raspberries, and cherries.
One cup of whole cranberries has 8,983 total antioxidant capacity. Only blueberries can top that: Wild varieties have 13,427; cultivated blueberries have 9,019.
While they are available frozen year-round, in fall and winter you can buy cranberries fresh. Fresh cranberries stored in a tightly-sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator will last up to two months. But be careful: If one starts to get soft and decay, the others will, too--so remove soft ones before you store them. Cooked cranberries can last up to a month in a covered container in the fridge.

Slipping Cranberries into Your Diet

Here are a few ideas for getting these antioxidant powerhouses into your life:
  • Add dried cranberries to your favorite cereal
  • Drink 100% fruit juice that includes cranberries
  • Sneak cranberries into blueberry muffins for added color and flavor
  • Pair cranberries with chicken and pork dishes

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.