Dried cranberries: useful properties and contraindications

It is known that dried fruits have many beneficial properties for the human body.Especially valuable is a product such as dried cranberries. This berry will not only saturate the body with many vitamins and minerals, but also strengthen the immune system. In addition, dried cranberries are an excellent preventive measure that prevents the development of various disorders that negatively affect the well-being of a person.

Like many different dried fruits, dried cranberries contain many useful vitamins and substances. The peculiarity of the components lies in the complex effect on the body.

Dried cranberries retains all the nutrients, as well as fresh product. This berry is used in the treatment of various diseases. Particularly relevant use of this product is the development of respiratory ailments. Dried fruits can be used to treat flu, bronchitis and rhinitis.

The peculiarity of dried cranberries is a high concentration of ascorbic acid. It is known that this substance takes an active part in the formation of immunity and strengthening the protective properties of the organism. The fruit of this berry contains thiamine, folic acid and riboflavin. And also the berries are rich in cyanocobalamin and pyridoxine.

In addition to vitamins, in the dried cranberries there is a large number of trace elements necessary for the human body. The biochemical composition of the product contains potassium, iron, phosphorus and magnesium.

Cranberries, boiled in syrup, is an excellent natural antioxidant. It can be used as a prophylactic agent that prevents the occurrence of infectious and colds. In addition, dried cranberries help get rid of the symptoms of cystitis in the early stages of the development of the disease.

In addition, cranberries are distinguished by the presence of such useful qualities:

• improves appetite;
• has a tonic effect;
• restores normal blood clotting;
• stimulates the gastrointestinal tract.

Dried cranberries are an excellent cosmetic product. Often, women use it externally to eliminate various defects on the skin. The product helps to get rid of redness, acne and enlarged pores. Especially useful berry owners of fatty skin type.

Due to the use of dried cranberries, the development of diseases associated with the vascular system can be prevented: dried fruits strengthen the walls, make them more elastic and minimize the risk of blood clots.

Often, cranberries are added to your diet and pregnant women: the product helps to eliminate puffiness, normalizes blood pressure indicators. And also dried berries prevent the appearance of varicose veins.

Dried cranberries can be easily made at home. For the preparation of dried fruit, you must use fresh fruits (500 g), granulated sugar (300 g) and water (300 ml).

To start the berries you need to carefully sort out, remove the twigs and leaves. Then the cranberries are washed, then placed in a colander to glass the water. Fruits can not be dried - the presence of water droplets does not affect the final result.

At the next stage, pour sugar into the pan and pour in water. The container is set on a fire, the mixture is brought to a boil and kept on the stove for another 2 minutes. Then you should pour the berries and boil it all for a few more minutes. The contents of the pan should be gently stirred and ensure that the fruit was completely covered with syrup.

Capacity is removed from heat and left for 3 hours. After this time, the pot is again put on the fire and re-bring its contents to a boil. The fire should not be too big, so that the mixture does not boil: an intense boil will cause the berries to burst. Then the pot is set aside again.

This action with warming and cooling must be repeated 3 times - the berries should be slightly boiled in the syrup. After the final cooling, the syrup should be poured into a colander, not forgetting to put under it a small bowl for liquid.

After the syrup has drained, the berries should be spread out on a baking sheet, having previously made it with parchment. The baking tray is placed in the oven for 60 minutes, setting the temperature to 100 degrees.

After cooling, dried cranberries should be sprinkled with a small amount of powdered sugar. This is done so that the berries have a pleasant and slightly sweet taste. Now candied will be ready to eat.

Berries can be used to prepare various desserts. The remaining syrup will be an excellent impregnation for a cake or pie.

Despite the enormous benefits of dried cranberries for the human body, the berries have some contraindications to use. Dried fruits should not be consumed in large quantities: the uncontrolled use of berries in the diet will harm the body and lead to a deterioration of health.

One more contraindication to the use is individual intolerance. Ignoring this point will lead to an allergic reaction. And also from eating cranberries should refrain in the period of feeding the child.

During the preparation of dried cranberries at home should take into account several important points. To begin with, it is necessary to say that only mature fruits should be chosen, while the berries should not have any damage, bloom, black spots and rot: in this form they are absolutely not suitable for food.

Before preparing the berries should be thoroughly rinsed under water. Otherwise, the presence of dirt and debris will negatively affect the taste of the product.

Often modern housewives instead of the oven use special dryers for berries and fruits. Such a device is ideal for making dried cranberries. When using the dryer, you can be sure of the good quality of the finished product. In addition, the process itself takes a minimum amount of time. But before you put the berries in the dryer, they must be prepared in advance.

On the beneficial properties of cranberries, see the following video.