More Interesting Cranberry Info and A Guest Recipe From The Cranberry Institute: Cranberry Chicken Salad on Flatbread

Fall is in full swing and one of the best flavors of the season is cranberries.  I was excited to get more info from the Cranberry Institute which I am sharing with you along with their delicious Chicken Salad Recipe which is posted below as well.  Enjoy!!

Tips: Four Tidbits about the Tiny, Tart Cranberry

1.       Cranberries naturally contain the flavonoid proanthocyanidins (PACs). The unique structure of the PACs found in cranberries offer properties that prevent bacteria from sticking to cell walls.

2.       The PACs in cranberries may help prevent harmful bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract, such as E. coli associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs).

3.       MyPlate suggests trying dried fruits, including dried cranberries, as a snack because they are easy-to-carry and store well. Perfectly portioned single-serve packs of dried cranberries are an easy grab-and-go snack!

4.       Cranberries are naturally fat-free, have little sodium and align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations.

Tricks: A Few Favorite Fall Ways to Use Cranberries

Add cranberries, in various forms, to some of your favorite recipes to boost fruit intake.

·         Use cranberry sauce as a spread on turkey sandwiches

·         Turn fresh or frozen cranberries into a cranberry relish

·         Top pancakes or waffles with whole berry cranberry sauce instead of butter or syrup

·         Mix fresh or frozen cranberries into store-bought or homemade applesauce

·         Add dried cranberries to oatmeal for added layers of sweet and tart flavor

Science Bites: News from Cranberry Scientists

RESOURCE REMINDER! Updated USDA-Reviewed Cranberry Health Research Review

The USDA recently reviewed an updated cranberry nutrition and health review published in the Cranberry Health Research Library on CranberryInstitute.org. 

Low-Calorie Cranberry Juice Improves Biomarkers for Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is the name of a host of conditions that include insulin resistance, high blood pressure, abdominal fat and dyslipidemia that significantly increase risk for heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Metabolic syndrome is an important public health issue as it’s estimated that approximately 25% of the U.S. population suffers from it. As a result of the insulin sensitivity and obesity, chronic inflammation is thought to the risk of cardiovascular disease. 

Researchers in Brazil sought to examine the effect of consuming reduced calorie cranberry juice on risk factors and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidation associated with metabolic syndrome. Published in the British Journal of Nutrition researchers randomly assigned 56 subjects with metabolic syndrome into one of two groups: 20 subjects were instructed to drink 24 oz. of a reduced calorie cranberry juice beverage daily for 60 days and the control group maintained their normal diet. The product used in the study was a reduced calorie cranberry juice beverage that provided 23 calories, 69 mg vitamin C and 14 mg folic acid per 8 oz. serving. Total daily phenolics from the 24 oz. of juice equaled 362.5 mg/day. The researchers monitored markers for inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolic dysfunction.

The results found that those drinking reduced calorie cranberry juice beverage had reductions in several markers for inflammation and oxidation. In addition, the cranberry-treatment group had an increase in adiponectin, a hormone that reduces inflammation, may increase fat oxidation and could lower blood sugar. At the same time, there was a decrease in the amino acid homocysteine, which has been correlated with an increased risk for heart disease. Research has shown that low levels of adiponectin and high levels of homocysteine are independent risk factors for heart disease, therefore improvements in these biomarkers by cranberry consumption is remarkable.

Reference: Simão TN, Lozovoy MA, Simão AN, Oliveira SR, Venturini D, Morimoto HK, Miglioranza LH, Dichi I. Reduced-energy cranberry juice increases folic acid and adiponectin and reduces homocysteine and oxidative stress in patients with the metabolic syndrome. Br J Nutr. 2013 Jun 11:1-10. [Epub ahead of print]

Cranberry Juice Improved Heart Health Markers Among Diabetic Men

Individuals with diabetes are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. To better understand if cranberry juice could help reduce the risk factors for heart disease among individuals with type 2 diabetes, researchers at Tehran University in Tehran, Iran conducted a double-blinded, randomized clinical trial to assess the impact of cranberry juice on biomarkers of heart disease.

The subjects were randomly assigned to drink either 1 cup of cranberry juice or a placebo beverage daily for 12 weeks. Researchers measured biomarkers for cardiovascular disease: paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activity, apoA-1, apoB, glucose, and Lp(a), before and after the intervention.

Results? The researchers found that among those drinking cranberry juice, there was a significant decrease in serum glucose and apoB (P<0 .01="" a-1="" a="" activity="" and="" apo="" are="" biomarkers="" compared="" disease.="" for="" heart="" improvements="" in="" increase="" initial="" p="" pon-1="" positive="" reflect="" respectively="" results="" serum="" significant="" span="" that="" these="" they="" values.="" with="">

The authors concluded that a cup of cranberry juice daily for 12 weeks reduced serum glucose and resulted in improved biomarkers for heart disease. This study adds to other previously published studies that suggest flavonoids in cranberry juice may play a role in improving biomarkers for health.

Shidfa F, Heydari I, Hajimiresmaiel SJ, Hosseini S, Shidfar S, Amiri F. The effects of cranberry juice on serum glucose, apoB, apoA-I, Lp(a), and Paraoxonase-1 activity in type 2 diabetic male patients. J Res Med Sci. 2012 Apr;17(4):355-60.

Our Favorite Recipe Right Now!

Cranberry Chicken Salad on Flatbread

Makes 8 servings

Portion: ½ cup chicken salad on 1 flatbread roll

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup dried cranberries

⅓ cup 100% cranberry juice, unsweetened

½ cup reduced-fat mayonnaise

⅓ cup fat-free poppy seed dressing

8 oz. grilled white chicken meat, diced

1 cup sliced celery

¾ cup thinly sliced scallions

2 cups shredded fresh spinach

8 flatbread rolls, split

Directions

1. Place cranberries and cranberry juice in a saucepan and heat slightly. Remove from heat, cool to room temperature. Cranberries will absorb all liquid. Hold.

2. In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise and dressing.

3. Stir in diced chicken, celery and scallions. Toss well to coat. Stir in reserved cranberries and mix well. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.

4. To Serve: For each serving, place ¼ cup spinach onto a split flatbread roll and portion ½ cup salad on top of spinach. Replace top and serve.

Nutrition Information Per Serving: Calories 390, Calories from Fat 100, Saturated Fat 2g, Trans Fat 0g, Total Fat 12g, Cholesterol 20mg, Sodium 800mg*, Total Carbohydrate 57g, Sugars 17g, Dietary Fiber 3g, Protein 13g, Vitamin A 20%, Vitamin C 15%, Calcium 10%, Iron 20%

Recipe courtesy of the Cranberry Marketing Committee, uscranberries.com