Why did Native Americans consider these berries a sacred medicine?

Since ancient times, various cultures around the world have recognized the incredible healing power of some foods. This is the case with Native Americans and their profound veneration for small but potent red fruits like cranberries and strawberries. Today science supports that they were very right.

But before going deeper into the specific benefits of cranberries and strawberries, let's review what inflammation is and why it is so important to control it. Inflammation is the natural defensive response of our body to some harmful agent, such as an infection, environmental toxins or an injury. It manifests itself with redness, heat, swelling and pain in the affected area. Under normal conditions it is a protective and repairing process.

The problem arises when it becomes chronic, that is, the body remains in a constant and prolonged inflammatory state. This happens for several reasons such as stress, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, lack of sleep, among others. Chronic inflammation severely affects our health, as it damages tissues and internal organs. It is strongly associated with diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis and certain types of cancer. Reducing inflammatory levels should be a priority.

And here is where the wonderful benefits of cranberries and strawberries come into action. Native to North America, wild cranberries were an indispensable source of nutrients and medicine for native tribes. They called them "Sassamanash", which means "fruit that perseveres in winter". They consumed them fresh in summer and dried part of the harvest in strips to store during the harsh snow months.

They firmly believed that they had healing properties, especially to combat urinary tract infections. Today we know they were absolutely right. Cranberries are one of the foods richest in antioxidants, vitamins and anti-inflammatory compounds.

On the other hand, strawberries, although not native to the American continent, were also quickly adopted and revered by native peoples. Pregnant women consumed them for their benefits for maternal and baby health. What intuitive wisdom these cultures had!

Throughout my career as a nutritionist, I have seen countless evidence that cranberries and strawberries should be an integral part of any anti-inflammatory diet. Its high content of vitamins C, quercetin and polyphenolic compounds inhibit the production of proinflammatory molecules.

One research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry showed that strawberry extracts had inhibitory effects on inflammatory proteins such as nuclear factor Kappa B and protein activator 1. The authors concluded that these red berries have an important potential to fight inflammation at the cellular level.

In addition to their medicinal benefits, these small berries provide very few calories, so they are ideal for weight control diets. The high fiber content helps prolong satiety and stabilize blood sugar levels.

Personally, I love preparing a smoothie every morning with strawberries, cranberries, natural yogurt and flaxseed. It is a delicious shot of vitamins, antioxidants and protection against chronic inflammation, which does so much damage at the cellular level.

Cranberries and strawberries have exceptional anti-inflammatory power. Its regular consumption helps us protect our health and prevent diseases by reducing chronic inflammation, one of the major causes of cellular damage and accelerated aging.

I invite you to also adopt the wise advice of Native Americans. Regularly include these sacred red fruits for ancestral peoples and you will quickly notice the benefits in your vitality and health. Your body will thank you.