Chiropractic Wellness

T’is the Season…for Cranberries!

Cranberries not only taste great alongside turkey, stuffing and other holiday favourites – they are also great for packing a health punch during this festive time of year. While a lot of us consume jellied cranberry sauce every holiday season, many don’t realise that they are receiving health benefits at the same time by eating this powerful little berry. Not only during the hectic holiday season, but year-round as well, this powerful little berry is the perfect solution for contributing to good health.

I recently made a beautiful jellied cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving that I found on YouTube. I celebrate Thanksgiving here in Australia with my American friends that live here too. During the year, I keep frozen cranberries in the freezer, for a treat or if I just want to make the cranberry sauce before the typical holiday season. Other ways to get health benefits from cranberries are cranberry juice and/or dried cranberries.  Dried cranberries are a great snack for in between meals or mixed through a salad for a little tang packed with health benefits.

Cranberries contain significant amounts of antioxidants and other phytonutrients that may help protect against heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Considered a superfood because of the various health benefits, they can help prevent bacteria causing infections, particularly in the bladder and urinary tract. They are a great natural preventative for recurring bladder infections. If you don’t consume cranberries in some form or another regularly, cranberry tablet supplements are available from your local health food shop.  What is your favourite way to get your health benefits from cranberries?

These are one of my personal favourites – fresh or frozen (when not in season) as a healthy, nutritious snack. They can be eaten raw, cooked, juiced, baked in muffins, pies, cakes etc. I even found chocolate covered blueberries! To be honest, I prefer them fresh – recommended at least half cup per day.

There are so many health benefits…

Did You Know?

Blueberries:

• Are packed with antioxidants which help to fight cancer and other diseases.
• Help you maintain good vision and work to prevent macular degeneration in the eye.
• Promote urinary health – help prevent and even cure urinary tract infections.
• Can help with Alzheimer’s prevention.
• Are a huge source of Vitamin C.
• Can help lower blood cholesterol.
• Slow the aging process and are good for the complexion.
• Are anti-diabetic – both in prevention and control of the disease.
• Are anti-inflammatory – beneficial for arthritis sufferers.
• Help to promote and maintain digestive health.
• Aid with weight control and contribute to a healthy diet.

So, make sure you add blueberries to your grocery list so that you and your family can receive the many health benefits of blueberries!

Are there any health benefits of wine?

Red or white? – that is the question!  Red has greater positive health benefits than white wine.  Wines with higher tannin levels carry more of the protective polyphenols that are good for blood vessel protection.  The polyphenols in wine have a specific interaction with the lining of the blood vessels and that interaction is able to dilate the blood vessels, relax them, and have anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory effects.

Red wine adds more health benefits.  Only certain types of red – preferably with a style that allows enough time for the extraction of the beneficial polyphenols.  Look for wines that are described as having firm tannins.  Cooler temperature regions with older vines and slow ripening grapes are preferred.  (For those of us in Western Australia, the Margaret River Region is ideal!)

How much?   Moderation is always the key.  A good rule of thumb is no more than 1-2 glasses (125ml) per day for women and no more than 2-3 glasses (125ml) per day for males.  It is actually important that the wine be consumed with food.  This helps to get the benefits of the polyphenols as the alcohol levels are kept down while it is being absorbed.  Alcohol absorption is slowed down when it is being consumed with food, so that there is less damage being caused to the liver.  The small amount of alcohol that is good for you helps prevent excess clotting.