Cranberries have long been known for their benefits, but during pregnancy they often have to give up certain foods. Today we’ll talk about the beneficial and harmful properties of a berry in a “special” position and what causes it. And also you will learn several recipes that not only do not harm women, but also help get rid of several problems.

Cranberry properties

The positive properties of berries are based on the beneficial substances that make up their composition.

Berry Composition

The calorie content of 100 g of cranberries is characterized by such indicators:

• proteins - 0.5 g;
• fats - 0.2 g;
• carbohydrates - 3.7 g;
• energy value - 28 kcal.

The berry is almost 90% water and contains 3.3 g of dietary fiber.

Chemical characteristics of the product are represented by the following composition:

• vitamins: C, B4, E, PP, B5, H, B6, B1, B2, K, A, B9;
• macronutrients: potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, chlorine, sulfur, silicon, sodium;
• trace elements: iron, manganese, boron, zinc, copper, aluminum, rubidium, strontium, nickel, fluorine, vanadium, molybdenum, lithium, cobalt, zirconium, chromium, selenium, iodine:
• Omega-3, Omega-6.

Important! Cranberries are an important source of vitamin H - 50 g of the product will fully ensure the daily intake of this substance.

Healing properties

• Cranberries have such beneficial properties:
• contributes to the normal metabolism of proteins, fats, carbohydrates;
• increases the digestibility of iron;
• necessary for the normal functioning of the immune system;
• strengthens the walls of blood vessels;
• thanks to vitamin H, fatty acids are synthesized in the body;
• improves skin condition;
• affects the process of creating healthy cells in the body;
• stimulates the creation of bone and connective tissue;
• helps eliminate brittle bones;
• provides the body with energy;
• regulates the health of the reproductive system;
• is an incentive for the production of hormones;
• necessary to increase cell resistance;
• positively affects the development of the unborn child;
• relieves inflammation;
• eliminates the problem of increased blood clots;
• contributes to the production of "good" cholesterol.

Contraindications and possible harm when using

• Cranberry consumption is contraindicated:
• in parallel with anti-clotting agents;
• women with gastritis or an ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
• those who have this berry cause an allergic reaction;
• with low blood pressure.

It is not recommended to cook dishes with cranberries in which there are tomatoes, beets, spinach, parsley, sorrel and other food products containing oxalic acid, because of the risk of urolithiasis.

Uncontrolled eating a large number of berries can provoke uterine tone and cause a hypersensitivity reaction. Cranberry juice corrodes tooth enamel, which contributes to the development of caries.

Did you know? Cranberry juice is actively used during the filming of a movie to portray blood - it is not only cheap, but also most similar to it.

The healing properties of cranberries for pregnant women with edema

These berries are very useful for pregnant women, if used properly.

Features of the medicinal properties of cranberries for pregnant women

• The therapeutic properties of cranberries for pregnant women are manifested in this way:
• appetite improves;
• manifestations of toxicosis are eliminated;
• the body is provided with useful substances;
• all organs and systems in the unborn child develop normally;
• inflammatory processes in the body are muffled;
• metabolism improves;
• excretion of excess fluid is accelerated;
• blood circulation is normalized;
• edema is eliminated;
• helps in the fight against colds.

Edema Benefits

During pregnancy, especially in the later stages, women often suffer from swelling on their legs. This may be caused by:

1. Pathological processes in the body (problems with the kidneys, cardiovascular system, gestosis).
2. Improper nutrition (eating fried, smoked, salty, pickled foods).
3. Objective reasons (accumulation of sodium, fluid retention).

However, you can’t refuse to use fluid, since water is necessary for the balanced functioning of cells in the body. Without water, the metabolism slows down, nutrients do not enter the cells, metabolic products are not excreted from the body. Although you can’t drink too much. In this case, cranberries can help: due to the effect on metabolism, it helps to remove excess fluid from the body. This is confirmed by numerous positive reviews.

How to take

In order for the acidic environment of cranberries not to corrode tooth enamel, it is better to use it in a diluted form with water - it can be compote or fruit drink. The difference between them is that the compote is boiled in water with sugar, and when preparing fruit drinks, berry juice is mixed with water.

Important! Since vitamin C breaks down when heated, cranberry juice will be most beneficial.

It’s right to take cranberries like this:

• after consultation with a doctor;
• after meal;
• freshly prepared;
• no more than 3 glasses a day;
• drink water after drinking.

Cooking recipes

Cranberry juice is sold in stores, but unscrupulous manufacturers can add dyes, flavors, chemical sweeteners, and low-quality products there. Therefore, it is better to cook it yourself. To get benefits after the end of the berry season, cranberries can be frozen and used to make fruit drinks in the winter.

Fresh berry fruit drink

Ingredients:
• berries: 0.7 kg;
• water: 1 l;
• sugar: 1 cup;
• clove: 2 pcs.

How to cook:

1. Thoroughly washed berries, grind in a blender, pass through a sieve.
2. Place the resulting juice and cake in a separate bowl.
3. In a pan, mix the cake with water, pour sugar, cloves, boil.
4. Reduce heat, leave for 5 minutes.
5. Remove from heat, leave to cool.
6. Pass through a sieve.
7. Add berry juice, stir.

The fruit drink prepared according to this recipe is drunk chilled. Did you know? The performers of the famous 90s hit “Zombie”, a rock band from Ireland “The Cranberries” are named after cranberries, the name of this group is translated.

Fruit and berry juice

Ingredients:

• cranberries: 300 g;
• water: 1 l;
• sugar: 100 g;
• honey: 1 tablespoon;
• ginger: 20 g.

Cooking method:

1. Peel the ginger, finely chop.
2. Boil water, add sugar and ginger, mix thoroughly.
3. Wash the berries, chop in a blender, squeeze through cheesecloth, place separately.
4. Pour berry meal in water with sugar and ginger.
5. Boil, let cool to a warm state, strain.
6. Add berry juice and honey, mix thoroughly.
7. Let stand in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Ready fruit juice should be stored in the refrigerator. For a change, you can make it from a mixture of berries.

Cranberry Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• frozen berries: 400 g;
• drinking water: 1.5 l;
• honey (or sugar): 3 tablespoons.

Learn how to use cranberry juice for your pregnant woman.

How to cook step by step:

1. Remove the berries from the freezer, leave on the kitchen table until completely defrosted.
2. Put a container of water on the fire.
3. Pass them through a juicer or sieve, place in a separate bowl.
4. Remove boiling water from the heat and do not use for 5 minutes.
5. Pour berry cake into water, mix thoroughly. If you add sugar instead of honey, add it at this point.
6. Leave in a sealed container for 0.5 hours.
7. Strain, add juice. If you use honey as a sweetener, add it at this point.

The drink is ready to drink.

Thus, such a useful berry as cranberries becomes an indispensable tool in the fight against the treatment of edema during pregnancy. From it you can prepare fruit drinks using our recipes and tips for use. However, remember that such treatment has contraindications and you need to consult a doctor before use.