Cranberry juice is made from fresh or frozen cranberries. It can be natural, without additives, or sweetened, mixed with other vegetable or fruit juices. It has many useful properties and is used in cooking, folk medicine and cosmetology.
Chemical composition of cranberry juice
The chemical components of the drink are similar to those of the cranberry berries, from which it is obtained. Its composition includes the following elements
- Ascorbic acid – the content of this substance is comparable to that of orange, grapefruit, lemon or strawberry drink (from garden berry);
- vitamins of group B – pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamine;
- vitamins E, K;
- Macronutrient complex – magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium;
- micronutrient complex – molybdenum, iron, copper, cobalt, iodine, chromium, manganese, zinc;
- organic acid complex – citric, malic, benzoic, oleic, ursolic, quinic, chlorogenic, α-ketogluataric;
- sugars – mainly glucose with fructose, much less sucrose;
- pectins (polysaccharides);
- Bioflavonoid complex – flavonol, catechins, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, leucoanthocyanins.
In 100 g of cranberry juice there are 46 kcal. It has 87% water, 12% carbohydrates, 0. 4% protein, 0. 1% fat and dietary fiber.
Properties of cranberry juice
Many people like cranberry juice: its benefits are great and its flavor is nice and rich. The berry itself and the drink from it have some contraindications
The benefits
Cranberries and their juice have several useful properties:
- increase the effectiveness of the body against physical and mental stress
- prevention and treatment of colds
- immunity booster;
- antipyretic effect
- anti-inflammatory property;
- prevention of dental caries by antibacterial action
- prevention and supportive treatment of scurvy;
- plaque removal;
- adjuvant therapy in periodontal disease, inflammation of the gums, tonsillitis;
- reduction of blood viscosity;
- increase in hair elasticity
- relief of vascular spasms
- cholesterol excretion
- reduction of blood sugar;
- normalization of material metabolism
- prevention of kidney stone formation
- normalization of sleep;
- increased body resistance to stress
- headache relief
- relief of chronic fatigue;
- auxiliary treatment in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract – gastritis with reduced acidity, pancreatic inflammation;
- rejuvenating effect;
- Cancer prevention;
- reduction of the risk of urogenital infections.
For the stronger sex, it is worth considering lingonberry juice – its benefits for men lie not only in the properties listed above, but also in increasing potency. It is useful to use the drink also for prostatitis, which often has an infectious nature.
Harm and contraindications
Despite its great therapeutic potential, in some cases cranberry drink should not be used. Contraindications are several:
- Acute inflammatory process in the intestines;
- liver disease;
- inflammatory process in the stomach, ulcers;
- hyperacidity.
Caution must be exercised when buying drinks, as they contain various additives. Often the product only has a small proportion of natural juice, and sometimes there is no juice at all, and flavorings and colors add flavor and colour.
When consuming cranberries and drinks made from them, it is important to remember the compatibility with drugs. The following drugs are contraindicated
- Valium (Diazepam);
- Glucotrol;
- Diclofenac;
- Tamoxifen;
- elavil.
How to make cranberry juice
The best option for a blueberry drink is your own preparation. There are several recipes, even with additional ingredients.
A classic cranberry juice recipe
This is the simplest version of preparing a delicious and healthy drink. For every kilo of berries you need a glass of water, preferably from a spring. The algorithm of the recipe is simple:
- Rinse the raw material well, remove the remains.
- Crush the berries with a pusher. You can use a blender.
- Place the seeds in an enamel container and add water.
- Heat until it reaches 75° and then simmer for another 10 minutes at the same temperature.
- Pass the berry mass through a strainer. You can use gauze for this.
- Bring the strained liquid to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Pour it into jars and close them.
Cranberry and Carrot Juice Recipe
The combination of cranberries and carrots is a real vitamin bomb. For 1 kg of berries you need 0. 5 kg of sugar and 2 kg of carrots. Proceed as follows
- Wash the carrots, chop finely, blanch (put in boiling water) until soft, pass through a sieve.
- Remove the remains of the berries, collect them and knead them.
- Heat the berries and vegetables separately.
- Mix the ingredients and add the sugar.
- Squeeze the mass through several layers of gauze.
- The liquid must be kept on minimum heat for a quarter of an hour. It should not boil.
- Pour into jars, sterilize and close.
Blueberry juice with beetroot
The combination of blueberries and beets is very useful, but its flavor is unusual. Beet juice and blueberry juice should be mixed in a proportion of 3: 2. The algorithm is as follows:
- Wash the root vegetables, cut the root with the upper part, scald for half an hour.
- Pass be beet through a meat chopper. It is not necessary to peel it previously.
- Pass the raw material through a gauze.
- Eliminate the remains of the berries, rinse them, crush them or chop them in a blender, pass them through gauze or strain them through a sieve (more pulp will be more pulp).
- Mix both liquids and heat 75 ° C.
- Pour into jars (bottles).
The color of the drink is especially intense. To improve flavor, it can be enriched with honey. Doing it while the juice is still hot, but its temperature is already less than 40 ° C – more product of bees cannot be heated because it loses its useful properties.
Blueberry juice from frozen berries
Blueberries are not always available fresh, so you can use frozen. If the berry defrosts in advance, it will give more liquid and less pulp. For 1 kg of blueberries you need 2 tablespoons of sugar. Prepare the drink in this way
- Crush the defrosted berries in a blender, the consistency must be that of a puree.
- Squeeze it through a few layers of gauze.
- Pour the liquid into a jar (bottle), throw the sugar, cover and sterilize. Process a liter jar for 25 minutes.
- Roll the jars, put the tapas and wrap them.
If the juice is not prepared for winter and will be consumed immediately, it is not necessary to sterilize it. The product will be ready immediately after squeezing it.
You can prepare a drink of defrosted berries based on apple juice: it is not necessary to use a product of the store, but the squeezed liquid of fresh apples. For 0. 5 kg of blueberries you will need 2. 3 l of apple juice, 0. 7 l of water and 0. 5 kg of granulated sugar. The algorithm is as follows:
- Crush the blueberries, squeeze the juice.
- Prepare apple juice.
- Dissolve granulated sugar in the water.
- Mix all the ingredients, boil for 4 minutes.
- Pour our drink in jars (bottles), roll.
Use
Blueberry drink used for different purposes. You can drink for the treatment and prevention of various diseases, strengthen immunity. It is used in popular medicine, cosmetology and kitchen.
In popular medicine
Burned juice is used in various popular recipes. Do not consider drinking as a panacea and trust it only – Be sure to consult a doctor in case of any health problem.
For stomach burning
Burned juice can be used for this type of problem if acidity is high. Otherwise, such a drink is contraindicated.
Burned juice helps with acidity caused by bad digestion. The drink increases acidity and digests food more quickly. It must be consumed without sugar or other sweeteners.
If acidity is caused by excess eating, blueberry juice can only harm. Acid foods and drinks irritate the sphincter, preventing it from working.
For diabetes
The red blueberry is one of the richest in antioxidants, so its juice is useful for the treatment and prevention of diabetes and the problems that accompany it.
It is not uncommon for this coexist endocrine pathology with atherosclerosis. Crunk drinking consumption reduces low density cholesterol and increases high density compound. This prevents the plates from settling in vascular walls, which translates into a reduction in the risk of heart disease, one of the complications of diabetes.
Another pathology that usually accompanies this endocrine disorder is an infectious bladder lesion. Blueberry juice is effective in preventing this problem, but for treatment can only be used as help.
Another important quality of red blueberry drink for diabetes is the reduction of blood sugar levels. When drinking the body, body cells absorb 40% less carbohydrates.
For grains
Burned juice can help eliminate not only acne, but also other skin rashes. There are several options to help skin
- Rub with frozen blueberry juice cubes; This relieves irritation and inflammation and softens the expression lines;
- washed with a concentrated solution;
- Add blueberry juice to cosmetic products (in portions; these mixtures should not be stored for a long time);
- Cranberry pulp compresses: The leftbill pulp can be used after squeezing the raw material.
Red blueberries applied externally can cause allergies, although such reaction does not occur when used internally. If irritation, itching or worsening of eruptions appear, you should refuse to use the product.
For heart health and blood vessels
The use of blueberry juice has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system: blood vessels are strengthened and narrowed, blood flows more slowly. The beet and red blueberry drink is more effective.
For urinary tract infections
Bladder infections are usually caused by pathogenic bacteria E. coli. The consumption of blueberry drinks prevents its growth and multiplication by preventing the formation of a special biofilm. To prevent bladder infections, you have to drink half a glass of blueberry juice every day.
For healthy teeth
In case of caries and inflammation of the gums, blueberry juice is used to make gargling. They are also useful for preventing decay, since they avoid the formation of plate on the teeth. The consumption of blueberry juice strengthens gums and enamel.
In cosmetology
Numerous benefits for red blueberry juice are used in different applications, including cosmetology:
- washed with ice cubes to smooth wrinkles, eliminate rashes;
- Friegas with recently squeezed juice instead of a tonic;
- Compressa of juice with half and half water for fresh and firm skin – keep for 15 minutes;
- Nutritive tissue mask – Fold a gauze several times. Soak in juice and maintain for 15 minutes;
- Nutritive mask based on 1 teaspoon of blueberries, egg yolk and 2 teaspoons of sour cream – keep 15 minutes, remove with cold water, repeat once or twice a week;
- To bleach, add 1 tablespoon of blueberry drinks with the same amount of cottage cheese (5%fat content), a pinch of salt – keep for 15 minutes, remove with cold water.
If you use the remedy for the first time, it is better to try it in a small area of the skin. There is an individual intolerance rice.
In the kitchen
Burned juice is not only drinking in its purest state, but is also used as a base or additive of various dishes and beverages:
- cocktails;
- shakes;
- desserts;
- Sauces for meats, birds and fish.
Many people know the combination of Chucrut and red blueberries. Instead, you can add juice to the plate: it will give the right flavor and color and stop the fermentation. Cabana juice can be used instead of vinegar in the Borscht – The color of the soup will be richer, it will give an acid touch.
Burned juice can be used instead of syrup to intensify the taste of tea or coffee. It can also be used to confite, add to buns and other cakes such as filling.
Conservation
The red blueberry juice should be kept in a dark and fresh place. It can be in a fridge, warehouse or pantry.
