The cranberry – an exotic fruit from North America that has only become popular in Europe in recent years. Although it has always been a staple on the Thanksgiving dinner table in the United States, it took a while for the cranberry to cross the pond.
The cranberry is considered a real superfood. But what is it about the little red berry that makes it a superfood? What are the health benefits, the healing properties of cranberries, and how can you incorporate them into your breakfast routine? We will get to the bottom of these questions in today's blog post.
Discover healthy breakfasts with superfoods
The origin of the healing cranberry and its history
The cranberry was already loved and appreciated by Native Americans hundreds of years ago. They already knew about the healing properties of the red berry. The cranberry was also considered a great source of vitamins even back then. The berry was named by the first settlers to come to America – “Crane” and “Berry” – the crane berry.
Where does the cranberry actually come from?
The cranberry originally comes from the high moors of eastern America. To grow ideally, the berry needs acidic soil and plenty of water. The dwarf shrub still occurs in the wild today.
Over the years, cranberries have also become native to German, Dutch and English moors. Fun fact: because cranberries are significantly lighter than water, the large industrial plantations are simply flooded during harvest time.
Local counterpart – the difference between cranberries and lingonberries
Our native cranberries are very closely related to cranberries. Cranberries and cranberries taste very similar, as both have a tart, sour flavor. Both types of berries have a bright red color. You can tell them apart by remembering that cranberries are about the size of a cherry and that cranberries are about the size of a pea.
What they do have in common, however, is that they are not for everyone. For some people, they are too sour – our recommendation is to pimp them with a little sugar or honey when they are raw. This takes away some of the sourness. Honey is also just as healthy as cranberries themselves when consumed in moderation. But how does the cranberry get its healing properties?
The cranberry as a superfood – what are the healing properties of the cranberry?
The cranberry has a long tradition as a medicinal plant. Its healing properties have long been proven. The berry also has some health-promoting properties due to its organic acid and antibacterial substances, which can have the following positive effects:
- prevention of cystitis
- strengthening of the immune system
- slowing down skin aging
- strengthening our cardiovascular system
- reducing the risk of cancer
The berry can help you lose weight. This is because cranberries are high in fiber, giving us a longer-lasting feeling of satiety. Today, chicken soup with cranberry juice is still prepared (especially in the USA) for colds. In addition, the ingredients can be used to limit the growth of bacteria. Cranberries are true vitamin bombs. They contain vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K and are rich in copper.
In addition, cranberries are a good source of polyphenols, especially anthocyanins, micronutrients and dietary fiber. In epidemiological and clinical studies, these ingredients have been linked to improved cardiovascular risk profiles.
One berry rarely comes alone – what are other superfoods?
In general, there are more and more superfoods, also due to the progress of our knowledge! Here is a small selection:
- Spinach
- Avocados
- Algae
- Cocoa
- Oats
- Chia seeds
- Flaxseed
- Baobab fruit
- Quinoa
- Turmeric
- Cinnamon
- Honey
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of superfoods – just a small selection. Whether seeds, berries, algae or our favorite, oats, superfoods are known to have an incredibly healthy effect on humans.
Among the seeds, we would like to highlight flax seeds. The seeds of the flax plant are either yellow or brown, depending on the variety, and taste slightly nutty. They contain a lot of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. This makes them good for digestion and anti-inflammatory. And as if that weren't enough, they are full of vitamins, protein and minerals.
When it comes to berries, cranberries are not the only superfood. Our native blueberry and the exotic goji berry are also true superfood berries. They are very healthy and also very tasty. They are the perfect topping for any breakfast, be it porridge, muesli or just yogurt!
Oats in particular should not be missing from any superfood list. It helps you lose weight, is the perfect filling food, a real health professional and can help with digestion problems. Oats can really do (almost) anything! And the really best thing about oats? They are available regionally and are not only exceptionally healthy, but also very climate-friendly.
Discover healthy porridges with the superfood oats
How do you find the cranberry's healing properties in your breakfast?
If you're now wondering how you can best enjoy cranberries for breakfast, we'll answer that question. Basically, when it comes to breakfast, there are no limits to your imagination. Cranberries are an extremely good topping – whether it's on porridge, in muesli or simply on yoghurt. But even more advanced recipes are extremely tasty with cranberries.
