We know only a few evergreens. Among them, pine, fir, spruce. And many are surprised when they learn that such tall-growing plants include cowberry . This wonderful little shrub does not shed its leaves with the arrival of cold weather, but winters with it, covered with snow.
The benefits and harm of cranberries are known to very few of us, but folk healers widely use this plant in their medical practice. With the help of cowberries, you can treat a whole bunch of diseases, so this shrub is called the miracle of nature.
What vitamins are found in lingonberries?
People begin to appreciate this plant when they find out what vitamins are contained in cowberries. Vitamin-mineral complex of berries cranberries can saturate the body with important substances, strengthen it and increase resistance to infections.
In cowberries are such vitamins:
- Vitamin C. Cowberry contains a large amount of this vitamin: 15 mg per 100 g of lingonberry. Thanks to ascorbic acid, immunity improves and some minerals are digested.
- Vitamin E (TE) . 100 g of cowberry are 1 mg of vitamin E. He is responsible for procreation, metabolism, immunity and other functions of the body.
- Vitamin PP (B3, niacin) . It helps to produce enzymes, fights against circulatory disorders, is the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Niacin contains 0.3 mg per 100 g of lingonberry.
- Beta-carotene (provitamin A) . Protects the cells of the body from the action of free radicals, prevents cardiovascular diseases. It contains 0.05 mg per 100 g of lingonberry.
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin). Content: 0.02 mg per 100 g of berries. Responsible for the regulation of protein metabolism and skin condition.
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine) . Content: 0.01 mg per 100 g of berries. Helps the full operation of the central nervous system.
- Vitamin B9 (folic acid) . An important vitamin, the content of which in cowberry - 0.03 μg per 100 g. Helps hemopoiesis and reduces the level of "bad" cholesterol. This vitamin can be obtained from cranberries in sufficient quantities, as when harvesting this berries it is not necessary to apply heat treatment, which reduces the content of useful substances.
The benefits of cranberries for health is not only in the vitamin composition, but also in a large number of minerals, organic acids, carbohydrates, pectin substances and other useful substances and compounds.
Lingonberry for weight loss
Leaves of cranberries for weight loss. Leaves have a diuretic and choleretic effect. In addition, they neutralize the sugar in the blood, accelerate the metabolism. All this contributes to the removal of excess fluid and disposal of toxins. For the purpose of losing weight, prepare a decoction of 53 g of leaves for 300 ml of hot water. The mixture should stand for 15 minutes, after which it is filtered and drunk to 100 ml three times a day before meals. The course of weight loss on the decoction is 3 weeks.
Cowberry berries for weight loss. From berries cranberries make a decoction and mashed potatoes. Decoction of berries is prepared in the same way as from leaves. Cowberry berries help to improve the work of the intestines, not allowing fat to be absorbed and removing harmful substances.
Cowberry diet. The essence of this diet is the rejection of sweet and fried foods and the use of three times a day for 100 g of berries. Duration of the diet is 1 week.
However, with so many useful properties, cowberry has some contraindications. Because of the large acid content of cranberries, it can harm the gastrointestinal tract of patients with gastritis with high acidity and duodenal ulcer. It is not necessary to use a large number of berries and cranberry juice to people suffering from hypotension.