Health
Benefits of cranberry and side effects
Discover The Health Benefits of cranberry and side effects.
Native to North America, you may know cranberry best by its English name: cranberry. This little red berry with a lingonberry-like appearance and very tangy taste is grown almost exclusively in the United States and Canada, where it is very popular.
It’s a safe bet that its popularity is mainly linked to its many health benefits. Indeed, behind its small size, the cranberry hides a very interesting composition.
First of all, it has an exceptionally high content of antioxidants. It is also one of the richest fruits in antioxidants! It is also very rich in vitamin C and fibre, 100g serving to provide 22% and 18% of the recommended intake respectively.
Besides this, cranberries contain vitamin B, E and K, as well as a large number of minerals, such as calcium, manganese, iron, copper and potassium. Finally, it is also very rich in water and very low in calories.
As you can imagine, all of this gives it some benefits. We take them again in this article and we explain how to consume it.
What are the health benefits of cranberry?
Although cranberries have been the subject of numerous scientific studies to demonstrate their benefits, people in North America have not waited for their results to benefit from them. Indeed, cranberries have been used for centuries for medicinal reasons.
Below are the health benefits of cranberry.
1) It helps prevent urinary tract infections
This is surely the most famous benefit of cranberries. The Iroquois Indians already used it for this purpose centuries ago and if you have ever had a urinary tract infection, no doubt that you have been praised for its merits in the matter!
Indeed, cranberries are very effective in helping to prevent the onset of urinary tract infections. It is therefore generally recommended for people who are most at risk of suffering from an infection, such as cystitis, or who have repeated infections.
Its preventive action, proven by several scientific studies, is due to proanthocyanidins, antioxidants present in cranberries. These have non-stick properties that prevent bacteria, such as E.Coli, from settling on the cells in the walls of the bladder. Bacteria cannot, therefore, settle and multiply there, and they are then eliminated without hindrance as soon as we go to the toilet.
However, cranberries only have a preventative effect. Although many people claim that it can also treat the infection once it sets in, no studies have been able to show this. At most, it relieves the infection in some people. In this case, it is therefore recommended to go see a doctor for appropriate treatment.
Finally, note that to take advantage of its preventive effects, it is important to consume cranberries regularly. Some doctors recommend drinking one to two glasses of cranberry juice a day.
2) It improves cardiovascular health
Consuming cranberries regularly will also be good for your heart.
Indeed, this little fruit has very beneficial effects on cholesterol, firstly because it stops the oxidation of bad cholesterol, but also because it allows increasing the levels of good cholesterol in the blood. This is due to the flavonoids contained in the cranberry.
Flavonoids also help lower the risk of developing atherosclerosis, a disease that causes arteries to narrow due to high levels of cholesterol and fat in the blood.
Also, cranberry participates in cleansing and purifying the blood, eliminating the toxic components it contains, and helps to soften the arteries.
All of this helps lower blood pressure and lowers the risk of suffering from a heart attack or stroke.
3) It helps to lose weight
Thanks to the organic acids it contains, cranberries help eliminate the fat that your body has accumulated.
However, if you want to lose weight, it is important to combine it with a balanced diet so as not to provide your body with extra fat that is not necessary for its proper functioning.
Also note that, if you consume the cranberry in the form of juice, you should not choose just any juice. Indeed, some cranberry juices sold in stores are very sweet and will therefore not provide the desired effect.
If you have a juice extractor, the best solution is to create your juice. To cut the acidity of the cranberry, you can mix its juice in water or another fruit juice.
4) It helps protect the stomach
Cranberry helps against many bacteria, and those that can attack our stomach are no exception! Among these is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.
By landing on the walls of our stomach, it can cause inflammation of the stomach and give rise to ulcers, chronic gastritis or, in the worst case, stomach cancer.
The flavonoids in cranberries help fight this by preventing the growth of these bacteria. Regular consumption of cranberries therefore helps prevent infections.
Also, when used in addition to conventional treatment, it joins forces with the treatment and improves its effectiveness, thus allowing the bacteria to be eliminated more quickly.
However, these effects were mostly observed in women. On this point, cranberries are therefore less effective in men.
5) She participates in oral hygiene
The proanthocyanidins found in cranberries prevent bacteria from growing and taking up residence in the mouth, especially on the teeth and gums.
Thus, cranberry helps reduce cavities and dental plaque, but also to fight against periodontal disease, a type of disease that affects the gums by causing inflammation of its tissues. Besides, thanks to its calcium content, it helps strengthen teeth.
However, in all cases, prefer the consumption of natural juices rather than juices sold in supermarkets. Indeed, remember that these often contain a large amount of sugar, which is far from good for your teeth.
6) It helps keep skin young
The antioxidants found in cranberries are very beneficial for the skin. On the one hand, they protect it against the action of free radicals, which can cause skin inflammation and contribute to ageing.
On the other hand, they stimulate the production of collagen, which helps to maintain the firmness of the skin and, thus, to fight against the appearance of wrinkles.
7) It fights against winter diseases
Thanks to its antibacterial properties, cranberry is also very useful in winter because of its high content of vitamin C helps strengthen our immune system.
Besides, in general, cranberries repel bacteria and thus offer us an additional barrier against infections and viruses. It is particularly effective against colds and flu, as well as sore throats in general.
8) It helps fight certain cancers
According to several studies, cranberries help fight colon, prostate, breast and lung cancer by stopping the development of tumours. This is due to the polyphenolic compounds it contains, but also to its content of flavonoids and salicylic acid.
Together, they help in particular to inhibit the growth of harmful and cancerous cells. Besides, salicylic acid fights the formation of clots in the blood, which can cause tumours.
For its part, the high fibre content of cranberries also has a role to play against colon cancer. This is because fibre stimulates the production of butyrate, a substance that maintains gut health, supplies colon cells with energy and prevents the development of tumours in the colon.
9) it fights against memory loss
The cranberry would reduce the risk of facing memory loss or suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Indeed, its antioxidants eliminate free radicals that could attack neurons. However, its effects on Alzheimer’s disease have yet to be demonstrated.
How to consume cranberries?
cranberry dish
Cranberries come in many forms. It can, of course, be consumed in its natural form, although it is often preferred to add a little sugar to it to reduce the acidity of the berries. You can also find dried cranberries.
These have the advantage of being richer in antioxidants than fresh cranberries, but they are also higher in sugar. Whether fresh or dried, cranberries can be used in salads, sauces, compotes and pastries, for example.
Besides this, cranberries are frequently consumed in the form of juice. However, if you want to enjoy its benefits and maintain a healthy diet, it is important to make sure that you choose a juice with no added sugar, or with as little sugar as possible.
Finally, if you don’t particularly like its taste or want to undergo a cranberry treatment, you can find it in pharmacies in the form of tablets and capsules. In this case, it is important to follow the advice of your pharmacist, who can tell you the appropriate treatment and the doses not to be exceeded.
In this regard, it is important to note that, if consumed in too large quantities, cranberries can cause side effects in the gut, such as cramps and diarrhoea. Fortunately, a small daily dose is often more than enough to reap its benefits!
Finally, note that its consumption is not recommended if you take aspirins or anticoagulant drugs, as well as if you suffer from kidney stones or if you are predisposed to them.
And you, have you ever tasted cranberries? Do you like its tangy side?
We hope the article on the health benefits of cranberry has been of help to you.
Discover the serious side effects of Topamax
One of the medicines used to treat seizures in adults is Topamax, the active substance of which is topiramate.
The taking of this drug should always be done under medical prescription and with the corresponding prescription, as well as it is essential to follow the instructions regarding the dosage indicated by the specialist.
To learn more about Topamax along with its indications, use, and side effects, keep reading this article.
What is Topamax for
Topamax is a topiramate-based drug used to treat seizures in adults and children older than 2 years.
This anticonvulsant is administered in the event of partial seizures with or without secondary generalization or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures and for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.
It should be noted that this drug is also used to prevent migraine, although not as a treatment to alleviate them.
Warnings about Topamax
Taking Topamax should always be prescribed by a doctor and it will be necessary to notify your doctor beforehand in case of:
•glaucoma or other eye problems
•kidney disease, kidney stones, or dialysis
•breathing problems
•mood problems, depression, or suicidal thoughts or attempts
•liver disease
•osteoporosis, osteomalacia
•growth disorders
•be taking lithium
•suffer from diarrhea
•being lactose or sucrose intolerant
•It is also not recommended to take Topamax by pregnant or lactating women, as this drug can cause fetal harm or be excreted through breast milk.
Likewise, you should never drink alcohol while you are being treated with Topamax, as the side effects can be very serious.
Side effects of Topamax
Different side effects derived from taking Topamax have been described, so you should go or notify your doctor quickly if you feel any of the symptoms described below:
•Allergic reactions such as difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the face, tongue, lips, or throat.
•Sudden changes in mood or behavior
•Anxiety and/or panic attacks
•Difficulty to sleep
•Irritation, agitation, and hyperactivity (mentally or physically)
•Depression or thoughts of killing yourself or hurting yourself
•Numbness or tingling in the extremities
•Headache, tiredness, dizziness, or drowsiness
•Changes in taste
•Nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, stomach pain, loss of appetite or weight
•Quick back and forth movements in your eyes.
Likewise, it should be noted that these are not only the adverse effects that Topamax can cause, so you should consult your doctor in case of any other type of alteration or symptom.
This article is merely informative, we do not have the power to prescribe any medical treatment or make any type of diagnosis.
We invite you to go to a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
Discover the 18 benefits of peanuts during pregnancy.
Peanuts during pregnancy can be very beneficial for future mothers and their fetuses. Peanuts are not only delicious, but they are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and other natural compounds that are great for pregnancy, which you can’t miss.
You must remember that pregnancy is a wonderful gift that only women can experience.
Being pregnant is like a noble job ordained directly by God for women, something that men could not do on their own. During pregnancy, the fetus magically grows inside the woman’s womb until the baby is born into the world.
To ensure the optimal development of the fetus before it is born, mothers must consume highly nutritious food because it is the only way the fetus can obtain food.
When it comes to the list of foods that mothers should consume during pregnancy, the list will be endless, but you could consider the benefits of peanuts during pregnancy, as peanuts
Peanut Nutritional Values
Peanuts are considered a healthy snack. However, this does not mean that you can consume without knowing the nutrients that peanuts contain.
By knowing the nutrients contained in peanuts, you can measure the number of peanuts needed during pregnancy, since surely the needs of each one are different from those of others.
Serving Size: 100 grams
Energy 567 kcal – 29%.
Carbohydrates 16.13 g – 12%.
Protein 25.8g – 46%.
Total fat 49.24 g – 165%.
Dietary fiber 8.5g – 22%.
Folate 240 µg – 60%.
Niacin 12mg – 75%.
Pantothenic acid 1,767 mg – 35%.
Pyridoxine 0.348 mg – 27%.
Riboflavin 0.135 mg – 10%.
Thiamine 0.64 mg – 53%.
Vitamin E 8.33mg – 55%.
Calcium 92mg – 9%.
Copper 1,144 mg – 127%.
Iron 4.58mg – 57%.
Magnesium 168mg – 42%.
Manganese 1,934 mg – 84%.
Phosphorus 76 mg – 54%.
Selenium 7.2 µg – 13%.
Zinc 3.27mg – 30%.
Sodium 18mg
Potassium 705mg – 15%.
From the table above, surely you have a general idea of the number of peanuts you could consume daily.
The key is to consume it in moderation, but sometimes it is necessary to ensure that the daily intake of a certain nutrient can be met to ensure optimal development of the fetus.
18 Benefits of Peanut During Pregnancy
Below are the benefits of peanuts during pregnancy that will give you reasons why you should add this healthy and delicious snack to your daily diet.
1.- Excellent source of folate
During pregnancy it is highly recommended to consume foods rich in folate and peanuts are one of them.
For every 100 grams of peanuts, approximately 60% of the daily intake of folate could be covered. It is common knowledge that folate is essential for fetal development, especially early in the trimester.
2.- Natural source of vegetable protein
Protein is essential for a mother during pregnancy and 100 grams of peanuts contains enough protein to meet the daily intake.
3.- Prevents birth defects
The birth defect can occur when the development of the fetus is disturbed or when there are insufficient nutrients to support development.
Peanuts are packed with vitamins and minerals that are great for pregnancy like folate to support optimal growth and minerals like iron and calcium to make sure there is enough red blood cell stock.
4.- Promotes optimal brain development
It is great food for the brain. During pregnancy, the fetus receives nourishment from the mother, and the folate consumed by the mother is not only beneficial to the mother, but also the developing brain of the fetus.
If you want to have a healthy and smart baby, eat peanuts during pregnancy.
5.- Source of calories for the mother
Each mother’s calorie needs may be different, but calories are essential for increased energy.
During pregnancy, a mother may suffer from fatigue and get tired easily. To help boost energy, peanuts can help restore it.
6.- Contains healthy fats
Not all fats are bad and peanuts do contain some healthy fats that are great for the mother during pregnancy.
Healthy fats are great for promoting a healthy heart, as mothers are at high risk for high blood pressure during pregnancy.
7.- Reduces the risk of allergic diseases
Recent studies have indicated that mothers who consume peanuts during pregnancy may reduce the risk of allergic diseases.
Not only allergic foods such as peanuts but also other types of allergies such as asthma.
8.- Helps control blood pressure
High blood pressure during pregnancy could be fatal for both the mother and the fetus. That is why it is very important to always keep your blood pressure under control.
To help control blood pressure, adding peanuts to your daily diet is highly recommended because basically, peanuts are great for your heart.
9.- Prevents gestational diabetes
On the table, it was seen that peanuts are quite rich in manganese. This mineral has an important role in regulating blood sugar levels during pregnancy to prevent gestational diabetes. Additionally, manganese also promotes optimal calcium absorption.
10.- Fight depression
During pregnancy, the mother is at risk of stress and depression. Well, some studies have shown that mothers who eat peanuts are much happier than those who don’t. So whenever she feels stressed, she snacks on peanuts.
11.- Decreases the risk of weight gain
Obesity during pregnancy is never good for both mother and baby. That’s why managing your weight is so important peanuts, while they do contain fat and calories, fats are healthy fats and packed with other nutrients that may help you control calories.
12.- Promotes skin health during pregnancy
One of the problems that every mother has to deal with during pregnancy is the skin problem.
Although they are prohibited from using cosmetics due to their chemical content, they could manage their skin problem just by consuming peanuts. Vitamin E and antioxidants will help prevent all skin conditions.
13.- Source of vitamin E
Vitamin E is the reason why a pregnant mother should look good. Vitamin E promotes skin health and makes sure that there is no such skin condition that the mother has to face.
Therefore, they could focus on her pregnancy instead of giving birth to a healthy baby.
14.- Great source of omega 3 fatty acids
If you think that fish is not your friend during pregnancy but you know that you need a great source of omega 3 fatty acids, you could replace fish with peanuts because they contain quite high healthy fats.
15.- Excellent source of vitamin B complex
In the table above you can see the high content of vitamin B found in peanuts per 100 grams. Most of them could satisfy almost half of the daily intake of vitamin B.
16.- Contains powerful antioxidants
Antioxidants are not only a solution against cancer, but during pregnancy, antioxidants could help the mother to maintain her immune system so that she doesn’t get sick easily.
17.- Rich in minerals
Looking for a quick fix to meet your daily mineral intake during pregnancy, peanuts are the answer.
You could see the nutritional table above about the value of minerals found in peanuts. 100 grams of peanuts are capable of satisfying half of the daily intake of minerals that your body needs.
18.- Super healthy sandwich
Well, during pregnancy you need to make sure that you consume enough food to ensure the optimal development of the fetus. Add peanuts to your daily diet because they are the super healthy snack that everyone loves.
Peanut Precautions
Peanuts may be packed with vitamins, minerals, and other natural compounds that are beneficial during pregnancy.
The list of benefits of peanuts during pregnancy mentioned above are scientifically proven facts. However, there are still some precautions about peanuts that you should be aware of as well.
Allergic reaction is one of the common things that can happen when peanuts are consumed. If a mother has ever been diagnosed as allergic to peanuts, she should not eat them.
Some studies also claim, that too many peanuts consumed during pregnancy could increase the risk of allergic reaction to the baby when they were born. Therefore, it is better to consume it in moderate amounts.
Peanut butter can be delicious, but it is recommended to consume it in its real form, as peanut butter has been through some processing and care must be taken with the amount of refined sugar in peanut butter.
Be careful with salty peanut snacks too because they can be delicious to eat during pregnancy, but salt contains sodium that could increase your blood pressure level. High blood pressure during pregnancy can be fatal.
Peanuts are healthy snacks that mothers can add to their daily diet, especially in the early stages of pregnancy when morning sickness is at its worst.
Just by eating peanuts as a snack, you could at least ensure that the baby inside your womb is still getting the nutrients that she needs to develop.
However, you need to keep in mind the precautions mentioned above if you want to reap the full benefits of peanuts during pregnancy and not the other way around.
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