Cancer Fighting Recipe for Thanksgiving!

Gratefully Well

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone! I have so much to be thankful for, and I'm sure you do too. Did you know that research has shown that being grateful can improve your health?

Check out this information from a physician who is located in the Triad, NC. If you enjoy the information, stay tuned because he is going to do a seminar for us in the near future! Great Fully Well

Cranberry Recipe

I just finished making these last night and stirred in the ginger this morning. They are very tasty!! I hope you enjoy them!

Citrus Ginger Cranberries

Ingredients:

1. 2 12-ounce bags cranberries
2. 1 1/2 cups sugar
3. 1 cup orange juice
4. 1 cup water
5. 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
6. 1 teaspoon ground ginger
7. 1/2 cup (about 2 ounces) minced crystallized ginger
   

Preparation:

1. Combine first 6 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan.
2. Bring to boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.
3. Boil until cranberries pop, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
4. Cool (I let it cool overnight).
5. Mix in crystallized ginger. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate).
   

Nutrition Benefits of Cranberries!

Cranberries, as well as blueberries have many cancer fighting properties. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research not only are cranberries a good source of fiber and vitamin C, they have many different cancer fighting phytochemicals!

Phytochemicals in Cranberries

For those of you who need a reminder, phytochemicals are the "cancer fighting" chemicals in plants that help our bodies fight disease and keep our immune systems strong. There are more than 900 different types and each plant food has a unique combination of phytochemicals along with vitamins and minerals.

Cranberries contains many different phytochemicals including:

• Catechins
• Triterpenoids
• Quinic Acid
• Hippuric Acid
• Anthocyanins

Results from a 2007 study published in the Journal of Nutrition showed that extracts from cranberries slow the growth of breast, colon, prostate, lung, and other tumors, as do other components identified in the fruit (flavonols, proanthocyanidin oligomers, and triterpenoids).

Keep in mind that this study was done in a lab, not in humans so further research is needed to know for sure how this interacts with an active tumor. However, there is certainly no risk in adding more cranberries to your diet!

This study also reported that the unique combination of phytochemicals found in cranberry fruit may produce synergistic health benefits. Possible cancer fighting mechanisms of action by cranberry phytochemicals include:

• death of tumor cells
• reduced spreading of prostate tumor
• anti inflammatory activities

So eat up!!
- Julie