Did We Forget About Cranberries?

New research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry confirmed that cranberries are packed with antioxidants. The study measured the amount of antioxidants in cranberries and cranberry products, then measured blood samples in people after drinking a cranberry juice drink or another drink without cranberry juice. Not surprisingly, the antioxidant capacity in the blood of people who drank the cranberry cocktail increased over time. Antioxidants dropped in those who had the non-cranberry cocktail.

Study author Professor Joe Vinson from the University of Scranton says that “one serving of cranberries provides more phenolic antioxidants than the average daily consumption of antioxidants from all fruits…Cranberries have the highest antioxidant content among 20 commonly consumed fruits, yet they are underconsumed, ranking 16th in the US.”

I like Vinson’s point that although cranberries are so good for us, they are largely forgotten in American diets. Most people just don’t eat them on a regular basis. But, if you’re looking to change that, here are a few easy ways to add them in:

• * Drink a cup of 100% cranberry juice on your way to work in the morning or add a generous splash to water every time you do a workout.
• * Buy dried or frozen cranberries and add them to bowls of cereal or oatmeal. Dried cranberries are also good in salads.
• * Bake some healthy muffins and add fresh or dried cranberries with other fruits or nuts. I love things you can bake ahead of time and enjoy all week long. Here’s a recipe that looks promising: FitSugar’s Banana Apple Cranberry Muffins.