Cranberries have this healing effect.

The cranberry – an exotic fruit from North America that only gained popularity in Europe a few years ago. Although it has always been on Americans' Thanksgiving plates since time immemorial, it took the cranberry a long time to get across the big pond.

The cranberry is considered a real superfood. But what's in the little red berry that makes it a superfood? What are the health benefits, the healing effects of cranberry, and how do you incorporate cranberry into your breakfast routine? We will get to the bottom of these questions in today's blog post.

The origin of the healing cranberry and its history

Cranberries were loved and appreciated by Native Americans hundreds of years ago.  They already knew about the healing properties of the red berry. Cranberry was also considered a major vitamin supplier back then . The berry was baptized by the first settlers who came to America – "Crane" and "Berry" – the crane berry.

Where does cranberry come from?

Originally, the cranberry comes from the raised bogs in eastern America. In order to grow ideally, the berry needs acidic soil and plenty of water. The dwarf shrub is still found today in wild form.

Over the years, cranberries have also become native to German, Dutch and English bogs. A small fun fact: because the cranberry is significantly lighter than water, the large, industrial plantations are simply flooded during harvest time.

Local counterpart – the difference between the cranberry and the cranberry

Our local cranberries are very close relatives to cranberries. In terms of taste, the cranberry fruits and cranberries are very similar, as both have a tart-sour taste. Both berry varieties have a bright red color. You can distinguish them from each other by remembering that the cranberry is about the size of a cherry and the cranberry is as small as a pea.

What they do have in common, however, is that they are not for everyone. For some people it is too sour – our recommendation is, if you are raw, to pimp the berries with some sugar or honey. That takes a bit of the sourness out of them. Honey is also just as healthy in moderation as the cranberry itself. How does cranberry come to its healing effect?

Cranberry as a superfood – what healing effect does cranberry have

Cranberry has a long tradition as a medicinal plant. The cranberry has long proven its healing effect. The berry also has some health-promoting properties due to its organic acidity and antibacterial substances, which can positively influence the following:

The berry can help you reduce overweight. This is because the cranberries are rich in fiber and thus give us a longer lasting feeling of satiety. Even today (especially in the USA), a chicken soup with cranberry juice is prepared for colds. In addition, the ingredients can restrict the growth of bacteria. Cranberries are true vitamin bombs. They contain vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K and are rich in copper.

In addition, cranberry is a good source of polyphenols, especially anthocyanins, micronutrients and fiber. In epidemiological and clinical studies, these ingredients have been associated with improved cardiovascular risk profiles.

A berry rarely comes alone – what are other superfoods?

In general, there are more and more superfoods, also due to the progress of our knowledge! Here is a small list:

Of course, these are not all superfoods – rather a small selection. Whether seeds, berries, algae or our favourite oats . Superfoods are known to have an incredibly healthy effect on humans.

For the seeds, we would like to highlight the flaxseeds . Depending on the variety, the seeds of the flax plant are either yellow or brown and taste slightly nutty. They contain a lot of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. This makes them digestive and anti-inflammatory. And as if that weren't enough, they're bursting with vitamins, protein, and minerals.

When it comes to berries, cranberries are not the only superfood. The local blueberry or exotic goji berry are also real superfood berries. They are very healthy and also very tasty. For any breakfast – be it a porridge, a muesli or just a yoghurt – they are the perfect topping!

Oats in particular should not be missing from any superfood list. It helps you lose weight, is the perfect satiator, a true health professional and can remedy digestive problems. The oats can do (almost) everything! And the really best thing about oats? It is available regionally and is therefore not only exceptionally healthy, but also very climate-friendly.

How does the cranberry find its healing effect in your breakfast?

Now, if you're wondering how to best enjoy the cranberry for breakfast, we'll answer the question. Basically, you have to say: when it comes to breakfast, there are no limits to your imagination. As a topping, the cranberry is extremely good – be it in porridge, in cereal or simply with a yoghurt. But even advanced recipes are extremely tasty with the cranberries.

This smoothie bowl recipe, for example, is delicious with any form of berries – including cranberries.

Cranberry cherry bar, vegan and sugar-free

The vegan cranberry and cherry bars with cereal are prepared quickly and with few ingredients. But the fruity bars are full of valuable nutrients and fiber and thus make you full for a long time.

Preparation time 15 min.

Cook Time 25 min.

Total time 40 min.

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 240 g Verival Cranberry Cherry Muesli
• 40 g wheat flour
• 70 g applesauce
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 3 tbsp agave syrup
• 1 tsp Reinweinstein baking powder

Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 180°C circulating air.
• Line a rectangular shape (approx. 32cmx24cm) with baking paper.
• Quite simply: mix all the ingredients together.
• Spread the mixture in the prepared baking sheet and bake on the middle rail of the oven for about 25 minutes.
• While still warm, divide the mixture into approx. 12 bars with a sharp knife.
• Let it cool down and you're done with the delicious cranberry and cherry bars.