Encouraging Health

Which turkey topper, muffin mix-in, and fruit-punch staple can help keep your ticker in top shape?

It’s the ruby-red cranberry. The fruit is chock-full of flavonoids that give heart-disease risk factors a one-two punch, attacking inflammation and cholesterol. Here’s what else cranberries can do for you.

Flavonoids Fever
Cranberries may help raise HDL (good) cholesterol and thwart plaque-building oxidation of the bad kind (LDL). Not only that, but some studies also link the almighty cranberry’s killer flavonoid combination with cancer-fighting properties. And cranberry flavonols — particularly quercetin — appear to help quell inflammation.

A Cherry of a Tomato

Are some tomatoes better for you than others? Research says yes.
Although all tomatoes are rich in important nutrients, such as lycopene, recent research has revealed that some tomato varieties may contain more health-protective flavonols than others. Small cherry tomatoes had the highest flavonol concentration of 20 tomato varieties tested in a study.

Flavonols are antioxidants that protect against aging and disease. There is no recommended daily allowance for flavonols. However, you can get your fill by eating five servings of vegetables and four servings of fruit per day, especially ones with deep red or purple hues, such as red onions, red grapes, and tomatoes. Over 90% of the flavonols in fruits and vegetables are found in the skins.

For All Seasons
So don’t forget this tangy tongue teaser after the holidays. Load up on dried cranberries to mix into your granola, top fish with fresh cranberry relish, and bake fresh cranberries into cookies, muffins, and breads. You can also treat yourself to a glass or two of cranberry juice (choose diet varieties for less sugar and fewer calories). The bonus with the juice: It may help ward off urinary tract infections.

Homemade Trail MixTry this with portable mix with any combination of dried fruits and nuts.
Ingredients
1/4 cup whole shelled (unpeeled) almonds
1/4 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped pitted dates
2 ounce dried apricots, or other dried fruit

Directions
1. Combine almonds, peanuts, cranberries, dates and apricots (or other fruit) in a medium bowl.

Check out what else is high in flavanols

flavanols, antioxidants, cranberries, turkey

flavanols, antioxidants, cranberries, turkey