Cranberry Smoothie for Healthy Digestion

Tara Carpenter, NC.

Nutritional support for people with digestive problems on Body Ecology Diet (B.E.D.).

Originally published on February 18, 2020.

Cranberries are acidic berries from evergreen shrubs native to North America. First harvested by Native Americans and later Europeans, this vibrant red berry is a superfood due to abundant nutrient and antioxidant properties. Cranberries are especially beneficial to women susceptible to urinary infections, yeast infections, breast cancer, hypothyroid, weight gain.

The medicinal hero in cranberries is an antioxidant called, proanthocyanin. which prevent certain bacteria from adhering to cells of the vagina/urinary tract and causing infection. Cranberries flush out excess yeast and make urine more acidic, which creates an unfriendly environment for pathogens.

This recipe is perfect for people on Body Ecology Diet (B.E.D. or any other gut healing protocol; easy to digest, nutrient-rich smoothies are an easy way to take in a lot at once and for on-the-go. Need another smoothie idea? Dandy Lion is made with fresh dandelion leaves and lettuce and rich in chlorophyll and of course, cranberries 🙂

Cranberry Smoothie

Serves: 4

Ingredients

1 cup almonds or sunflower seeds, raw and soaked*

4 cups water

2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen

2 avocados

1/2 cup ice cubes

3 Tbsp. lemon juice, fresh squeezed

1 Tbsp. ginger or turmeric root, unpeeled and grated

2 pinches nutmeg

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

14 drops stevia extract or green stevia powder, to taste (or BE Sweet)

2 pinches sea salt

Instructions

Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until creamy.
Taste and adjust flavor as needed.
Store in fridge in a sealed glass jar for up to 3 days.

Tips & Tricks

Boost life activity with contents of a couple probiotic capsules to replenish good gut flora for immunity and digestion. Probiotic coconut kefir or InnergyBiotic are health-promoting additions.
Thicken with young coconut pudding – a green smoothie in a bowl!
Add collagen peptides or protein powder to increase protein.
Add ancient earth minerals for alkalizing.
Substitute sour green apples for cranberries if tolerate.
Getting geeky …. cranberries have multiple benefits yet are not a cure for everything related to urinary system. People with interstitial cystitis must avoid cranberries. Interstitial cystitis (painful bladder disease) occurs when the bladder lining becomes damaged and allows urine to come in contact with sensitive tissue. This condition worsens with consumption of cranberries.
Cranberries interfere with some medications, esp. heart medicines. The combination of cranberries and heart medicine can lead to internal bleeding which, if unnoticed, can be life-threatening.

Note: I like to add in a pinch of mineral-rich sea salt to my smoothies to boost the natural flavor of fruit and vegetables, stimulate lymphatic system, replenish electrolytes, aid digestion, and help my body access energy. I do not recommend common table salt which is often heated to extreme temperatures, iodized, bleached, processed, and refined.

*Soak those nuts or seeds! In the above photo I have almonds ready to drain and rinse that were soaked overnight. That water now contains enzyme inhibitors and plant toxins, like phytic acid, shown to weaken digestion, steal nutrients, and cause food sensitivities. This is why best to soak ALL nuts and seeds in warm, salty water. Traditional method here.

References

Anti-inflammatory Cranberry Smoothie

Benefits of Cranberries for Skin, Hair, and Health

Benefits of Cranberries for Women

Healthy Blender Recipes

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