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Here at NATURAL TRAINER, we trust nature and that's why it's our source of inspiration. It's from nature that we obtain our active nutrients, which nourish and provide our pets with specific benefits. In this article you will discover the history and benefits of cranberries.
THE HISTORY OF THE CRANBERRY
The cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is a deep coloured wild berry that grows in perennial dwarf shrubs that are less than half a metre high. It is native to the United States and Canada.
Cranberries were already being harvested by Native Americans before the Europeans arrived. They were used to make a recipe called pemmican, which, in addition to the cranberries, also contained meat and fat. The cranberries acted as a preservative and allowed the pemmican to be kept in good condition for long periods of time. The Native Americans also used it for its many health benefits, as a natural remedy for urinary infections, to treat wounds, for dental hygiene and even to create red dye.
Healers in the Wampanoag tribe in North America used to use cranberries in their healing rituals, as well as to treat fevers, swellings and nausea.
When the Europeans arrived, the settlers became aware of its possible uses and began to integrate it into their diet, using it mainly in the form of jams and juices, not to mention the famous cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving.
It was also widely used among sailors, who used it to prevent scurvy during their travels, thanks to its high vitamin C content.
Due to its great success, it began to be cultivated and its benefits were studied. Today it is cultivated in many countries in the northern hemisphere, including Spain and Italy.
USES OF THE CRANBERRY
Today, the use of cranberries is widespread. They are used to make juices and sauces, as well as in baking, where it is often used for cakes.
In the food and pharmaceutical industries, fresh, dehydrated and powdered cranberries are used as a food supplement. They are also used as natural colourants, preservatives and antioxidants.
There are many studies that mention the numerous benefits, many of which relate to urinary tract hygiene or its antioxidant functions, which has only increased its popularity.
PROPERTIES OF THE CRANBERRY
It is a complete fruit, rich in natural antioxidants. It contains:
Carbohydrates and sugars: glucose, sucrose and fructose, an immediate source of energy
Vitamins: A and beta-carotene, C, E and K
Alarge number of polyphenols with antioxidant properties. One of the most important types is proanthocyanidins, which give the berry its colour and provide beneficial properties.
Here at NATURAL TRAINER, we trust nature as the ideal ally for caring for the natural balance of your cat.
Cranberry concentrate, together with natural chicory concentrate and controlled levels of minerals, help to maintain the correct functioning of your cat's urinary tract in the long term.
Thanks to its beneficial properties, cranberry is one of the specific natural ingredients included in Natural Trainer foods for cats of all ages, as well as for cats with specific needs.