Island Fitness (206)842-5720 | Bringing Strength, Flexibility & Balance to Bainbridge Island

FITNESS TIPS : Cram in More Cranberries
Bursting with flavor, dripping with color, and abounding in cancer-fighters -- the tiny cranberry has it all.

Topic: Menu Planning
return to fitness tips listings

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The bright red of the cranberry is a clue that it is jam-packed with flavonoids, including ones that appear to defend against cancer cell growth. So spread your turkey sandwiches with lots of tasty, fresh cranberry relish. It's great on fish, in muffins, and as a salad topping, too!

Researchers testing a unique group of flavonoids -- anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and flavonol glycosides -- found that individually, each one prevented liver and breast cancer cells from multiplying. When the three are combined, as they are in a cranberry, they may be even more effective in squelching cancer cell growth. In the lab, it's called synergy. In your mouth, it's called divine.

Enjoy plenty of fresh cranberries this season by making sauces, cobblers, muffins, and breads with them. When they are out of season, stock up on dried cranberries and add them to cereal, salads, and trail mix. And cranberry juice with a splash of sparkling water is a terrific refresher. With every bite or sip, you'll be doing something positive for your health, and positively delicious.

SOURCES: Cranberry phytochemicals: Isolation, structure elucidation, and their antiproliferative and antioxidant activities. He, X., Liu, R. H. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2006 Sep 20;54(19):7069-7074.

return to fitness tips listings