Dried cranberries are a popular ingredient in trail mixes, and many people love tossing them into a goat cheese and walnut salad for added texture and tartness. But are dried cranberries good for you? Discover four reasons you should add dried cranberries to your diet below.
1. Dried Cranberries Are Packed With Antioxidants
Cranberries offer a wide range of health benefits. These flavorful snacks are packed with antioxidants, which may help reduce free radicals that lead to chronic diseases.
Some of their antioxidants include:
- Quercetin: This compound may help reduce neurological inflammation, promoting brain health, and support metabolic processes that manage glucose in your body.
- Myricetin: Like other antioxidants in cranberries, myricetin may help your body fight off oxidation from stress, reducing the impact of aging and disease processes on cells.
- Anthocyanins: These antioxidants may help support cognitive function, glucose management, and metabolic functions.
- Proanthocyanidins: These compounds may help reduce inflammation in joints and other tissues, which can improve circulation and reduce inflammation in tissues.
2. Your Digestive System Will Thank You
Dried cranberries are high in fiber, with 2 grams of fiber per quarter cup. Consistent fiber intake helps support regularity and reduce issues associated with constipation.
Cranberries also have compounds that may support balanced gut bacteria, and those antioxidants previously mentioned can help your body battle inflammation, both of which can improve digestive health.
3. Dried Cranberries Can Support Heart Health
Studies have shown that flavanols and other compounds in cranberries may be beneficial to cardiovascular health. They may support reduced blood pressure and other factors that lower risks of heart disease, especially when you eat cranberries in their true form, especially when choosing varieties with minimal added sugar.
4. Dried Cranberries Help Boost Your Immune System
Cranberries are high in numerous vitamins and minerals that can support your body's natural immune response. They include:
- Vitamin C: This vitamin helps your body produce white blood cells and fight off pathogens, reducing the chance you get sick or helping you to fight off colds and other issues more quickly.
- Vitamin E: If you're an athlete in need of muscle recovery, this vitamin is your go-to. It helps protect cell membranes and supports your immune system by reducing oxidative stress.
- Iron: This essential mineral helps oxygen travel through your blood to every area of your body, including organs and other areas involved in immune responses.
- Manganese: This trace mineral helps protect your endocrine health by reducing inflammation and helping your cells recover from stress.
Dried Cranberries: A Versatile Snack Ingredient
What are dried cranberries good for? A handful can make a great snack if you like a tart taste, but this versatile ingredient is even better paired with other foods. Our Cranberry Health Mix adds dried cranberries to raisins, peanuts, pepitas, sunflower seeds, walnuts, and almonds for a sweet and salty, chewy, and crunchy handful that packs a powerful nutritional punch.
You can also find dried cranberries in many other Nature's Garden products, such as:
For a versatile snack that supports you on the go and in the long term, consider grabbing a pack or two of Nature’s Garden dried cranberries.
