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Brush My Teeth with—Cranberries?
Well, not exactly; however, did you know that cranberries might be effective in fighting tooth decay?
First—a history lesson
The American Cranberry is native to North America. It is grown in Massachusetts on the East Coast, in Wisconsin, and in Oregon and Washington on the West Coast, and in southern Canada.
American Indians ate cooked cranberries that were sweetened with honey or maple syrup. They also used them for medicine, red dye and decorations. In Massachusetts, in the mid-eighteenth century, Henry Hall first cultivated cranberries after the tides laid sand on his bog. [A bog is a water-logged depression in the ground that is covered with sphagnum (peat) moss. Most plants cannot grow in a bog because the soil is too acid and does not have enough nitrogen to keep plants healthy.] The cranberries loved the sandy bog and flourished. Cranberries became a major crop. Colonists shipped cranberries to England, and sailors took cranberries (which contain a lot of vitamin C) aboard ship with them to prevent scurvy.
Second—a grocery shopping lesson
Cranberries have a very short growing season; so start looking for fresh cranberries in your market from October through December. When selecting cranberries, choose plump, deep red berries that are firm to the touch. Fresh cranberries can be stored in the refrigerator for several months. Cranberries can be kept frozen for several years. When fresh cranberries are no longer available in the market, buy dried cranberries.
Third—a medical lesson
But, let’s get back to the tooth decay issue.
The medicinal value of cranberries has been known for hundreds of years. Cranberries have been used to combat urinary tract infections, the herpes HSV-2 virus, bacteria in the intestine, kidney stones, “bad” cholesterol and hardening of the arteries. Recent research is showing cranberries may be useful to fight several types of cancer, to aid in stroke recovery, to prevent macular degeneration and to prevent tooth decay.
Studies done by Dr. Hyun Koo, who began as a food scientist then became a dentist, show that cranberries contain powerful chemicals that stop tooth decay bacterium from sticking to the surface of teeth. Because the bacterium slides off the tooth, the sugar produced by the bacterium cannot develop into plaque. However, caution must be used. Instead of drinking a sugary cranberry juice, drink unsweetened, organic cranberry juice. You wouldn’t want to drink juice with added sugar—a major culprit in tooth decay—and cancel out the decay preventing ability of the cranberry!
Fourth—a nutrition lesson
Sprinkle dried cranberries over a green salad, add them to your cereal, your fruit salad, and your baking, or mix them with salted nuts for a tasty snack. To learn other ways to add this tasty helpful food to your diet, you might try these recipes!
Chicken and Cranberry Salad
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cups smoked chicken breast, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
- 1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds
- 3 celery ribs, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Fresh mixed salad greens
Soak cranberries in warm water for 15 minutes, drain and chop. Whisk together olive oil and lime juice in a medium bowl; add cranberries, remaining ingredients, and salt and pepper or your favorite salad seasoning to taste. Toss gently with the salad greens to coat.
Sweet Potatoes and Cranberries
- 3 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 5 Tbsp margarine 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup finely chopped green onions
Cook potatoes in boiling salted water for 5 minutes (a sharp knife does not easily insert into the center of the potato). Drain and cool.
Combine cider, sugar, margarine, salt and cinnamon in heavy skillet over medium high heat. Bring to a boil and stir frequently. Add potatoes and cook 5 minutes. Add cranberries and cook 10 minutes or until liquid is reduced to syrup and potatoes are tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper or your favorite mixed seasoning. Place in serving bowl and sprinkle with green onions.
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