5 Side Effects Of Cranberries On Your Health

Cranberries are the fruit berries of the evergreen cranberries plant and belong to the subgenus Oxycoccus of the genus Vaccinium. They are cultivated in many American states and Canadian provinces. They contain essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fibers, etc, and provide many health and beauty benefits. Despite these benefits, eat cranberries in moderation as there are some side effects of eating too many cranberries.

# Too Much Dietary Fiber Is Bad For Stomach

Cranberries improve digestive health as dietary fiber in them are natural laxatives that improve bowel movement, and relieve constipation and other digestive problems like abdominal pain, gas, bloating, flatulence, and indigestion, etc.

However, don’t eat too many cranberries as excess fiber may over-activate the bowel movement, and cause diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal gas, and intestinal blockage, etc.Dietary fibers reduce our body’s ability to absorb nutrients and may cause malabsorption.

# Too Many Antioxidants Are Bad For Our Health

Vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidantal compounds in pears protect our cells from free radical damage and reduce the risk of several cancers.Free radicals are the unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from neighboring molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.

In moderation, antioxidants react with the free radicals and stabilize them, but, in excess quantities, they also react with the healthy cells.Eat cranberries in moderation as high levels of antioxidants may increase cancer risk.

# Cranberry Allergy

Avoid cranberries if you are allergic to them.Some common allergic reactions of cranberries are skin rashes, itchiness, swelling of the mouth, tongue, lips, and face, severe breathlessness, etc.

If you experience any such symptom ( or other symptoms) after eating cranberries, discontinue the use, and consult a doctor immediately.

# Cranberries And High Blood Pressure

Hypertension is a leading cause of several cardiovascular problems and affects millions around the world.Potassium in cranberries ( 80 mg per 100 gram of fresh cranberries) relaxes blood vessels, improves blood circulation, and relieves hypertension or high blood pressure.Cranberries may interact with the blood pressure medication.

# Cranberries And Managing Diabetes

Cranberries have a low glycemic index of 45 and release sugar into the bloodstream at a slow pace.It prevents a sudden rise in blood sugar levels and aids in managing diabetes.

Dietary fibers in cranberries slow down sugar absorption and help in regulating blood sugar levels.Avoid eating too many cranberries as otherwise, it may drop blood sugar below normal level and cause symptoms like skin rashes, itchiness, swelling of mouth, tongue, lips, and face, severe breathlessness, etc.

Cranberries may interact with diabetes medication. If you are on diabetic medication, consult your doctor before adding cranberries to your routine to avoid food-drug intolerance.