Cranberries are a fruit and also a berry.
Cranberries are also classified botanically as false berries or epigynous berries, which is a type of fruit that develops from a flower in which the ovary is below the other floral parts.
Although cranberries are referred to commonly as berries in everyday language and even by culinary standards.
Cranberries are also related to blueberries and are also native North American fruits, which are also known for their tartness heath benefits, and are often used in sauces, juices and desserts.
Cranberries can be eaten both raw or cooked and even made into cranberry relish.
The cranberries are packed with antioxidants, and are very healthy, but when large quantities the cranberries, especially when raw can cause stomach upset due to high tannin content and they're great added to salads, oatmeal, or even smoothies.
Cranberries offer benefits like preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to compounds that stop bacteria from sticking, supporting heart health with anti-inflammatory polyphenols, improving gut health by promoting good bacteria, and boosting oral hygiene by preventing bacterial buildup on teeth, all thanks to their rich antioxidant and phytonutrient content.
They also show potential in cancer prevention and improving blood sugar control.
The cranberry was first cultivated about 1820 in eastern Massachusetts, and except for a few hundred acres devoted to it in Canada its culture is almost wholly confined to the United States.