Wild berries are incredibly healthy. In the forest, the level of antioxidants is so high that it fully satisfies the daily requirement of the body, and the vitamin C content in many berries even exceeds the required amount.
Useful properties of cranberries
Cranberries are useful in high content of vitamin C, ascorbic acid, which helps to avoid vitamin deficiency in the autumn-spring period and to protect against colds. Also, the berry is used for increased bleeding of the gums, as it strengthens the walls of the capillaries and prevents their ruptures.
Cranberries help normalize the condition and tidy up the gastrointestinal tract with cholecystitis (without stones) and gastritis with low acidity. Cranberry preparations have a diuretic effect. Dried berry infusions are used for cystitis and pyelonephritis.
Cranberry berries are the strongest natural antibiotics. Fresh cranberry juice helps to successfully deal with infectious lesions of the intestines, stomach and kidneys when it is difficult to carry out drug treatment.
Cranberries are especially important for pregnant women. Most traditional medicines are contraindicated for expectant mothers, so cranberries can be very useful for general immunity strengthening, as well as as part of maintenance therapy for some diseases.
The presence of cranberries in the diet improves the condition of the skin and hair, normalizes vision due to the content of vitamin A, and prevents the formation of "bad" cholesterol in the vessels.
Wild berry components
The berry contains B vitamins, ascorbic acid, tannins, carotene, vitamins PP and K, pectins, iron, copper, iodine, calcium, cobalt, phosphorus, boron, magnesium, potassium and essential oils. Valuable properties of cranberries are directly related to the high content of acids: oleic, citric, benzoic, quinine and others. Thanks to these components, the berry is perfectly stored and can be used to preserve other dishes.
Using Cranberries for Weight Loss
The fact that cranberries contribute to weight loss has not been scientifically proven, but there is an undeniably high content of useful vitamins, acids, antioxidants and minerals in its composition. In any case, a moderate cranberry diet (consuming cranberry juice, fruit drinks, smoothies on an empty stomach, and not completely replacing the cranberry drink with other foods for a few days) will only benefit. The immunity will increase, the appearance of the skin and the condition of the hair will improve, the body will get rid of toxins and toxins, and digestion processes will normalize.
The following facts and statements can be made in favor of the fat-burning properties of wild berries:
- high content of pectins, which accelerate the feeling of fullness and normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract;
- low calorie cranberries - only 30 kcal (the same calorie dietary broccoli and sweet bell pepper);
- normalization of metabolism due to the content of tannins creates more favorable conditions for effective weight loss;
- fiber, which is part of the berries, does not give extra calories and helps get rid of toxins, toxins.
Cranberry Diet Principles
Cranberries for weight loss as part of a rigid mono-diet can not be used constantly. Only a diet that involves consuming cranberry drinks daily before the first meal will be effective. This practically does not limit the rest of the diet. It is clear that you also need to adhere to the rules of a healthy diet and regularly give the body moderate physical activity.
Cranberry Slimming Drink
Cranberry drink is very simple to make. You just need to knead well a glass of wild berries with a fork and add honey to taste. But cranberries in sugar are not the best option for weight loss. Honey can be replaced with a rosehip broth or grape syrup. The mixture must be diluted in three glasses of water. It is recommended to consume such a drink one glass before each meal.
How to use cranberries for weight loss? There is one more option. It is enough to add two tablespoons of fresh cranberry juice to one glass of pure water. The drink can be consumed both before each meal, and in the morning immediately after waking up. Cranberries at night with weight loss can be used, but it is not so effective.
You can make an infusion of dried berries. Dried cranberries for weight loss are also used as a diuretic.
In order for the effect to be visible and persist for a long time, it is necessary to adhere to the rules of healthy eating. For breakfast, it is better to cook a serving of oatmeal in water or milk with dried fruits, later have a bite to eat with one fruit, natural yogurt or low-fat kefir. For lunch, a small portion of buckwheat porridge or rice with boiled chicken fillet is suitable. For an afternoon snack you can eat one apple or a hard-boiled egg, and for dinner a portion of cottage cheese with a low percentage of fat content or vegetable salad is suitable, which can be seasoned with natural yogurt or a small amount of olive oil.
Rigid cranberry mono diet
The mono diet is much tougher. It consists in replacing all solid meals in the diet with two glasses of smoothies with cranberries for weight loss, fruit drinks, and other cranberry drinks for two to three days (no more!). For those who can’t tolerate the lack of solid food, you can add small portions of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables to your diet. Suitable apples, pears, dried apricots, raspberries, bananas.
Basic principles and rules of diet
In the latter case, there are several rules that will help to maintain a cranberry diet without harm to health.
- In addition to cranberry juice, you need to drink a minimum of one and a half liters of pure water per day to avoid dehydration.
- The method involves the use of five to eight glasses of fruit juice for weight loss from cranberries without any solid food.
- Adhere to any mono-diet, including cranberry, should be a maximum of three days.
- You should not drink juice highly concentrated, as this can be harmful to the stomach due to the high acidity of the drink, it must be diluted with water to taste.
- According to some reviews, cranberries are more effective in combination with goji berries.
Preparing and saving the result
In addition, you need to properly prepare for the cranberry diet. A few days before switching to cranberry drinks, alcohol, caffeine, and, if possible, nicotine should be excluded. Limit the use of foods high in sugar and fat.
Do not use the technique in the cold season. In autumn and winter, to maintain normal body temperature and ensure vital functions, the body needs more energy.
To preserve the result, nutritionists advise to leave the diet gradually. You can not limit the use of cranberry juice, as it is good for health in itself, but you need to enter other products carefully. It is better to resume a normal diet with small portions of vegetables and fruits, as well as light steamed dishes.
Some caveats
Cranberries for weight loss as part of a mono diet are not suitable for everyone. Only relatively healthy people can survive for several days on cranberry juice with water without negative health effects. Such an extreme dietary restriction is a serious interference with metabolic processes, so it is strongly discouraged to follow a diet for more than three days.
In addition, the diet does not lead to positive changes in the long run. This is only a temporary measure that will help to tidy yourself up before an important event, prepare the body for "high-calorie" holidays, remove the accumulated toxins and toxins.
Contraindications to the diet
The properties and contraindications of cranberries are something that you must definitely familiarize yourself with before you even begin to follow one of the proposed diets. Despite the beneficial properties of wild berries, not everyone can use cranberries (especially as part of a mono-diet and in large quantities).
It is worth abandoning this method of weight loss for women over sixty years old. By this age, many chronic diseases usually appear, and the use of cranberries exclusively for weight loss within two to three days can cause their exacerbation.
Cranberry diet is also contraindicated in case of increased acidity of the stomach, almost any problems with digestion, kidney stones and gall bladder, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, gastritis, weak tooth enamel. The berry can cause heartburn.
Cranberry Diet
The maximum benefit can be derived not only from fresh cranberries, but also dishes prepared from this wild berry. Cranberries in sugar may not be suitable for everyone, but healthy cranberry craisins can be added to oatmeal instead of the usual dried fruits. Craisins are berries that are sweetened and then dried. This is a great alternative to crackers, snacks and other not-so-healthy foods that are usually eaten.
You can also make a healthy salad with chicken and cranberries. There are two popular options for this dish. For the first salad you will need chicken fillet, three potatoes, one pickled cucumber, a glass of sour cream, a little greens, salt to taste and about half a kilogram of cranberries. Boiled potatoes and meat need to be cut into cubes, pickled cucumber - in strips. Mix all ingredients and season with sour cream.
Another option is a vitamin salad with cranberries, chicken and grapefruit. You will need chicken fillet, half a grapefruit, some fresh cranberries, seedless olives, olive oil, some greens, salt and pepper to taste. Boiled chicken breast and peeled grapefruit need to be cut into cubes, olives - into rings. Stir all the ingredients and season with olive oil, add greens. Judging by the reviews of losing weight, this red berry really improves well-being, but it must be included in the diet, and not replace it completely. In addition, cranberries can cause an allergic reaction.