Cranberry products: an intro
Cranberry products are becoming more and more popular nowadays. While some of them use the whole berry, others use parts of it (e.g., juice). Furthermore, certain products come from wild cranberries, whereas others from farmed. Cranberries contain high amounts of antioxidants, micronutrients, and very little sugar. For example, cranberries, especially wild cranberries, are an excellent source of Vitamin A, C & K. Also, they contain some potent antioxidants such as flavonoids and polyphenols. Therefore, these super berries should be part of our diet regularly. In fact, regular consumption of cranberries and cranberry products has been associated with urinary tract infection (UTI) prevention, especially in women.
However, not all parts of the fruit have the same nutritional value. For example, the skin contains most of the antioxidants, whereas the flesh has other micronutrients. Below, we describe some of the most common cranberry products and whether they use the whole berry or parts of it. Last, we focus on products that can be used as alternatives to artificial cranberry extracts, pills, and other cranberry supplements.
Cranberry jam
Cranberry jam is a staple in the Nordic countries. For example, in Sweden, meatballs are typically served with cranberry (or lingonberry) jam and mashed potatoes. Another example is Finland, where cranberry jam is a must with reindeer stew, a local delicacy. Cranberry jam is similar to lingonberry jam and goes perfectly with toast, cheeses, stews, and desserts. The best cranberry jams use whole berries and avoid using extra sugars or other unnecessary preservatives.
Cranberry juice
Pure cranberry juice or concentrate has a beautiful deep red color. Cranberry juice is an excellent source of antioxidants and vitamins. However, try to avoid products that contain added sugar or sweeteners. By doing so, you can minimize your sugar intake and maximize the health benefits you get from it. In summary, we recommend choosing a natural cranberry juice that will not be sweet, but it will be super healthy.
Cranberry powder
Another way to process cranberries is to make them into powder. The best method for doing this is freeze-drying. Once cranberries become powder, they can be easily enjoyed all year round. Cranberry powder is an excellent product for two reasons: (1) it is easy to store and use, and (2) it maintains all the nutritional value fresh cranberries have. Besides, cranberry powder stays good for up to two years and does not require refrigeration.
Cranberry powder can be enjoyed with your yogurt, smoothies, oatmeal, cereals, salads, desserts, and many more. If you are looking for a premium quality product from wild cranberries, you can try Arctic Flavors wild cranberry powder. If you are interested in learning more, you can check out this step-by-step guide for how to identify the best cranberry powder.
Cosmetics with cranberry
Yes, there are also cosmetics made using some of the most amazing ingredients of cranberry. The extremely high amount of antioxidants makes cranberries an excellent addition to facial creams. Antioxidants help the skin to rejuvenate and protect it from aging. For example, Lumene is a Finnish company specializing in natural cosmetics and skincare products from wild Arctic cranberries. Lumene products are available in many countries globally.
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You may be interested in:
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Cranberry Powder 85g21.95 €
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Super Antioxidant Trio55.95 €
Hope you enjoyed this blog post about some of the best cranberry products in the market. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us on our social media channels:
Thanks for reading!
xx
Arctic Flavors