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 FAQs Rediscover Cranberries For Health Care Professionals Crop Statistics |
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What
is an antioxidant?
Antioxidants are compounds that neutralize free radicals when they are formed. The human body is capable of producing antioxidants naturally, but under conditions of stress this antioxidant production can be severely impaired. Fruits and vegetables, including cranberries, provide an excellent source of additional antioxidants. What is a free radical? Normally the molecules that make up our body have an even number of electrons orbiting around a nucleus. A free radical is any molecule with an odd number of electrons. These "unstable" molecules attempt to "stabilize" themselves by capturing an electron from another molecule. The cells in the body where this process is occurring can become injured. The cell may malfunction or even become malignant. How are free radicals produced in the body? The body produces free radicals through normal metabolic pathways (i.e. extracting energy from the food we eat). Exposure to the sun's ultraviolet radiation, tobacco smoke, and exposure to certain naturally occurring chemicals can also be sources of free radical production. In short, we are exposed to potential sources free radical production every day of our lives. How much cranberry juice should I drink a day? The National Kidney Foundation® suggests drinking a 10oz (300 ml) glass of cranberry juice cocktail a day may help prevent urinary tract infections. The Produce for Better Health® Foundation in partnership with the National Cancer Institute recommends eating 5 servings of fruit a day. One serving of cranberries is ½ cup (55 g) of whole fruit or one ¾ cup (180 ml) of 100% juice. Where can I find cranberry recipes? The following
links are great sources for healthy cranberry recipes and/or products: Yes. In fact cranberries freeze very well either whole or sliced. Sealed in an airtight container frozen cranberries will keep for nearly a year. Are cranberries native to North America? Yes. Cranberries, blueberries and the Concord grape are the only 3 fruits native to the United States and Canada. When were cranberries first farmed commercially? Henry Hall, a Revolutionary War veteran, planted the first commercial cranberry bed in Dennis Massachusetts in 1816. Where are cranberries grown today? While commercial farms exist in nearly a dozen states, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Québec account for most of the production worldwide. How many cranberries were grown last year? The Cranberry Marketing Committee’s website provides current and historical crop statistics and information. Please see http://www.uscranberries.com/ Don't cranberries grow in or under water? No. It is a common misconception that cranberries are grown in water. Water is used during harvest to float the fruit for easier collection, and during the winter months to protect the plants from freezing and desiccation. The rest of the year the fruit is grown on dry beds. Do cranberries grow on a tree or a bush? Neither. The American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is a low-growing, vining, woody perennial plant with small, alternate, oval leaves. The plant produces horizontal stems or runners up to 6 feet (2 m) long. Short vertical branches 2 to 8 inches (5 to 20 cm) in height, called uprights, grow from buds on the runners and produce both vegetative and fruit buds. Each fruit bud may contain as many as seven flowers. Where can I find nutritional information on cranberries? The USDA's National
Nutrient Database provides nutritional data for raw cranberries
and sweetened, dried cranberries: |
