The health benefits ofcranberrieshave long been known, and have been used to treat many common ailments for centuries. They are small crimson berries that belong to the same family as blueberries, huckleberries and bilberries, and are mainly grown in the cooler climates of the world such as Canada, United States and Europe. Here are some of the health benefits they have to offer:

Urinary Tract Infections

Cranberry juice is a very popular remedy when it comes to urinary tract infections. This is due to the proanthocyanidins that are contained in cranberries. They help by binding to the bacteria and eliminating them so that they cannot stick to the walls of the urinary tract.

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are formed from calcium and phosphate ions that bond together. The quinic acid that is found in cranberries can help to prevent these from bonding.

Cancer

The phytochemicals in cranberries have shown to have anti-cancer fighting agents. These can protect you against various types of cancers when taken in moderation along with a healthy diet.

Weight Loss

Cranberries are high in fiber, which naturally help to clean out your digestive tract, so that your digestive system can improve. As a result your metabolism will increase to help you burn more fat and prevent more calories from being stored away as fat cells.

On top of that, cranberries contain a high amount of powerful antioxidants that can help your body to clean itself out at a deep cellular level. However, this too can only be done when combined with a healthy diet.

Prevent Heart Disease

Due to the antioxidants and other essential nutrients that cranberries contain, they can help you to prevent heart disease. Some of the risks factors of heart disease are high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure as well as atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of the arteries.

Cranberries help to reduce cholesterol and high blood pressure, as well as prevent the hardening of the arteries. When the risk factors are eliminated, then the risk of heart disease is also eliminated.

Anti-Aging

You might have guessed it already, but cranberries can help you to live a long and healthy life. They will help to keep you physically active, as well as sharpen your mind to prevent you from Alzheimer's and other dementia. On top of that they can also help to keep your skin looking much younger and smoother.

You should take caution about taking cranberries if you are on warfarin, or if you have gall bladder or kidney problems.