Cranberry Power: This American Native Fruit Doesn't Have to be Exotic t...( WAREHAM Mass. June 20 -- While m...),Health

WAREHAM, Mass., June 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- While most food trends come and go, the cranberry continues to exert its heralded "superfood" status over the whispers of "miracle" berries from deep within the Amazon and the temporary appearances of exotic fruit purees in grocery freezers. When it comes to time-honored good taste, versatility and good nutrition, look no further than cranberries!

The cranberry is a grocery store mainstay - not a fad fruit - with its popularity dating back to the days of the Pilgrims who coveted the fruit for its many virtues. This sweet-tart berry comes in many convenient forms; its versatility is hard to beat. Find them in the snack aisle, the juice aisle, the canned goods aisle and - from September through December - in the fresh produce section. With so many options available, it's easy to include this tasty fruit as part of a healthy diet.

It's not a surprise that cranberries have been popular for as long as they have. They're delicious and - because they come in so many forms - they're extremely versatile. "Whether you're using cranberry juice, cranberry sauce or dried cranberries, you can add the color and taste of cranberries to your meals and snacks throughout the day," said Registered Dietitian Lisa Dorfman. "Plus, this powerful fruit helps meet the USDA's recommendation for eating two to four servings of fruit per day."

Following are a few of the powerful attributes cranberries have to offer:

The Power of Cranberries

-- Antioxidants: Often identified in food by their deep-colored pigment -

such as the deep red color of cranberries - antioxidants are important

components in plants that are showing potential to protect the body from

harmful oxidants known as free radicals, which may weaken the immune

system, among other things.(1) According the latest Agricultural

Research Service Report from the USDA, cranberries have more'/>"/>