Cranberries can generally be eaten raw and straight from the bush. However, the small, red power fruit is quite sour and contains many bitter substances. And there are groups of people who should not eat the berries.
Eating raw cranberries: Tips for carefree enjoyment
Cranberries, also known as cranberries, are botanically related to the German blueberry. However, they taste completely different. The bitter, sour taste discourages many people from simply eating the berries from the bush, especially when they are raw. Are you even worried that the bright red fruit could be poisonous when raw? This food, which belongs on the list of superfoods, is not quite so drastic.
- In principle, at least as a healthy person, you can also pick cranberries and eat them raw. Provided you like the taste of the fruit in this state. The fruits contain a lot of ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C. A great substance for your immune system.
- Raw cranberries are quite bitter, however. This is due to the vegetable tannins they contain. However, the so-called tannins are considered anti-inflammatory in naturopathy, contain many antioxidants, can regulate blood pressure and help with urinary tract diseases.
- As you can usually only get cranberries in Germany that are not fully ripe, the berries can taste particularly bitter. This is not to everyone’s taste. For this reason alone, it makes sense to cook the fruit first. Some people also add sugar.
These people should avoid raw cranberries
Even if you are fit and healthy, you should not overdo it with the raw cranberries. A handful a day is more than enough to avoid irritating your stomach unnecessarily. Too many bitter substances from the berries can lead to flatulence, bloating and heartburn. However, some groups of people should be even more careful.
- The fruit contains oxalic acid. If you suffer from kidney stones or calcium deficiency, the fruit is therefore less suitable for you.
- To prevent your body from forming kidney stones due to the oxalic acid, it is best to eat the berries with calcium-rich foods such as quark, milk or yogurt. Calcium and oxalic acid combine here to form oxalate, which your body simply excretes.
- Eating raw cranberries can also have an effect on blood clotting. If you are taking blood-thinning medication, the raw berries can inhibit the absorption of the active ingredients. Please ask your doctor whether you should really eat the fruit.
- If you are taking medication whose active ingredients are absorbed via the intestinal mucosa, it is better to consume them in moderation. Otherwise the berries may affect the absorption of the medication.
- Pregnant women should also avoid raw cranberries as a precaution due to the unclear study situation. However, you can eat pasteurized products without hesitation.
- If you do not belong to one of the risk groups, you can safely eat raw cranberries. Even when dried, the fruit retains almost all of its healthy ingredients. However, you should be aware that sugar is often added to dried cranberries – this is again suboptimal for people with diabetes or who want a low-sugar diet.
