Cranberries were once an important food and medicine for native Americans. They made sauces from ripe red cranberries, used cranberries to preserve fish and meats, and treated a variety of illnesses, including bladder infections, with cranberry preparations.

Today cranberries, the most American of all fruits, continue to be a superior source of nutrition and vitamins. North American women have been drinking cranberry juice cocktail for years as a traditional remedy for bladder infections and to maintain urinary tract health. Recent research has also indicated that cranberries are an excellent source of "antioxidants" — natural plant products that may protect against cancer, heart disease and other diseases.

Nutritionists and many in the medical community believe there is a clear association between a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low risk of chronic disease. As a fruit, cranberries are a good choice for the health-conscious consumer. As a functional food powerhouse, packed full of antioxidants and other natural compounds, they promote health and wellness.