Cranberries

Cranberries are red, acid berries produced by Vaccinium oxycoccos in Europe and the large American cranberry V. macrocarpon. Their sharp acidity comes from high levels of citric, quinic, benzoic, and malic acids, which also give the fruit its keeping quality. Cranberry consumption is traditionally associated with benefits for urinary-tract health, an effect now linked to proanthocyanidins that inhibit bacterial adhesion to the urinary-tract wall. Cranberries are processed into juices, sauces, and sweetened dried berries, with added sugar balancing their intense tartness for consumer acceptance.