A humble pot of cranberry sauce, often found gracing our Christmas dinner tables, could be a delicious and health-boosting addition to your festive feast. This traditional yuletide accompaniment is not only affordable - you could have snagged a 200g pot for a mere 49p from Aldi in the run-up to Christmas - but it's also packed with health benefits.

From promoting healthier skin to enhancing vision, cranberries are a nutritional powerhouse. When transformed into a convenient sauce, these benefits become even easier to incorporate into your diet than a handful of raw berries.

For those keeping an eye on their cholesterol levels, the holiday season can feel like navigating a dietary minefield of rich and indulgent foods. High cholesterol is primarily caused by an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise, with smoking, alcohol consumption and being overweight also contributing factors.

However, some people may simply be genetically predisposed. The key, as always, is balance.

Cranberry sauce the key to better health
Your cranberry sauce could hold the key to better health

Adding a spoonful of cranberry sauce to your Christmas roast could help offset some of the damage. This is due to research establishing a connection between cranberries and their impact on cholesterol.

One study found that cranberry supplements significantly reduced LDL (often referred to as 'bad' cholesterol), while another observed similar effects in women who consumed cranberry juice.

However, it's not a one-way street. A 2019 study discovered that cranberry supplements could boost HDL, or 'good' cholesterol.

This is essential for our bodies to eliminate excess cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. But the benefits of cranberries don't stop there.

One in five people in the UK experience irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - and Christmas can be a triggering time
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They're brimming with antioxidants and are recognised as one of the top food sources of ursolic acid, a plant compound with potential anti-cancer properties. Some studies suggest cranberries may also safeguard our skin as natural collagen production begins to decline (typically in our 30s).

They're also rich in carotenoids, including beta-carotene, which the body transforms into vitamin A for healthy skin, eyes, and a robust immune system.