Health Benefits of Cranberry Juice

Have you ever drank cranberry juice and wondered what is cranberry juice good for? What exactly is in this juice and why are some people drinking gallons of it? Today we’ll be sharing with you the health benefits of cranberry juice and the way this super-juice can support heart health, improve the digestive system and more.

Cranberries were once known mainly as tiny, red, sweet, cherry-like fruits. They were named by the Pilgrims for their semblance to crane necks in the position they grew on their shrubs.

Now, in recent years, the research on cranberry health benefits has been studied with amazingly positive results. Simply drinking pure cranberry juice has shown such great overall health benefits it has set the cranberry apart as a “superfruit”.

Contents

What Is Cranberry Juice?

Cranberry juice is a healthy drink that is made from cranberry fruit. The cranberry was first grown in New England, but today it grows all across North America in damp, marshy areas of land. Fresh cranberries are red in color and when squeezed they have a bitter taste.

How Pure Cranberry Juice Is Made?

The purest form of cranberry juice you can drink is pressed from the actual whole fruit, not the concentrate. It is important to buy 100% cranberry juice that has no added sugar (sucrose).

Is Cranberry Juice Good for You?

Cranberries are chock full of antioxidants and vitamins like vitamin C and E, as well as minerals such as manganese and zinc. Further down we will discuss the health benefits of cranberry juice and why you should drink cranberry juice daily.

The cranberry is a fruit native to North America that belongs to the same genus as the blueberry and was used by American Indians as food and for the treatment of bladder and kidney diseases.

Fresh cranberries and their juice contain several chemical compounds called phytonutrients that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other health benefits. Cranberries are also an excellent source of vitamin C and contain some manganese and vitamin K. The juice of the fruit is acidic and bitter, which is why it’s often manufactured with sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Is Cranberry Juice Good for Uti

About one-quarter of women will have a urinary tract infection, or UTI, at some point in their lives. Although women have used cranberry juice for centuries to prevent and treat UTIs, scientific research is mixed and further studies are required.

People have used cranberries for both food and medicinal purposes for centuries, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Because cranberry juice has a sour taste, many commercial cranberry juices include a combination of cranberries and other juices or sweeteners.

A glass of cranberry juice provides many health benefits.

Antioxidant Benefits of Cranberry Juice

Cranberries are high in antioxidants, as explained by the UMMC. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals in the body that can damage cell membranes.

Antioxidants in cranberry juice may prevent heart disease by lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the so-called bad cholesterol), relaxing blood vessels, and stopping plaque buildup in arteries.

One particular type of substance that cranberry has which is thought to have a variety of benefits is polyphenol antioxidants. These phytochemicals (plant and fruit chemical derivatives) have been linked to aiding the cardiovascular system and overall heart health.

Another positive health benefit is thought to be the boosting of the immune system. Polyphenol antioxidants are also seen as a potential cancer-fighting agent.

Drinking cranberry juice regularly can have a positive impact on your health in a variety of ways.

Urinary Tract Benefits of Cranberry Juice

Drinking pure cranberry juice can prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) of the bladder and urethra, infections usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. Scientists originally thought cranberry acidified urine was enough to kill the bacteria, but the UMMC notes that studies indicate a different benefit.

Cranberry juice stops bacteria from attaching to urinary tract walls promoting urinary tract health. This has proved especially beneficial for women who have repeated UTIs as it can help prevent urinary tract infections.

The UMMC cites a study of older women in which cranberry juice significantly decreased bacteria in the bladder. Research has not shown cranberry juice to be an effective treatment for existing UTIs.

Gastrointestinal Benefits of Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice also may keep Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria from attaching to stomach walls and stomach lining, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). H. pylori is a primary cause of stomach ulcers.

Therefore this can promote digestive health and Cranberry juice may also help decrease the symptoms of acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and reduce the chance of developing esophageal cancer, according to the NIH. This can be very good news for those who suffer from digestive difficulties regularly.

Overall, there are many health benefits associated with drinking a glass of pure cranberry juice every day. These include boosting the immune system, preventing and relieving UTIs, promoting heart health, improving digestive function, and possibly reducing cancer risk.

If you don’t like the taste of plain cranberry juice alone, consider adding some other fruits and herbs, such as orange, apple juice or ginger juice, to improve the flavor.

Does Cranberry Juice Make You Poop?

There is mixed scientific evidence regarding the effect of cranberry juice on bowel movements. Some studies have found that drinking cranberry juice may increase bowel activity, while others suggest that it has no effect.

One potential explanation for this discrepancy is that the acidity and other compounds in cranberry juice may stimulate nerve endings in the gastrointestinal tract, which in turn can lead to a faster transit time and more frequent bowel movements.

Another possible explanation is that drinking cranberry juice may help soften stools, which can make it easier for the bowels to move them through the digestive tract.

Vitamin B12 Absorption

Drinking cranberry juice may increase vitamin B12 absorption in people with decreased absorption due to taking antacids, as explained by the NIH. Further research is necessary to determine if this effect is caused by an active component of cranberry juice or simply the juice’s acidity.

It is a flavorful addition to alcoholic beverages and to alcohol-free drinks in a cranberry juice cocktail. Like many other fruit juices, there are many health and nutritional benefits that cranberry juice can bring to your daily diet.

Vitamin C in Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice is high in vitamins C, with 39 percent of your daily value in one cup of juice. Vitamin C is important for keeping the immune system healthy, good for digestive health, oxidative stress and it is also a powerful antioxidant in the body.

Phytochemicals in Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice has phytochemicals. These are similar to antioxidants in the sense that they help to prevent cancer and cell damage.

Vitamin E in Cranberry Juice

One cup of cranberry juice has 15 percent of your daily recommended amount of vitamin E. According to NutritionData, vitamin E might help reduce the risk of heart attacks.

Vitamin K in Cranberry Juice

There is 16 percent of your daily recommended amount of vitamin K in a serving of cranberry juice. Vitamin K is known for helping to move calcium throughout the body.

Dental Health

Cranberry juice could also be good news for those with dental problems. It is believed that regular consumption can help to fight against the detrimental effects of the bacterium Streptococcus mutans.

In particular, it is able to inhibit and perhaps reverse the formation of the biofilm known as dental plaque, which, if left untreated, can cause tooth decay, leading to fillings and perhaps even extractions. Therefore unsweetened cranberry juice can help prevent gum disease and improve oral health.

Anti-inflammatory Properties of Cranberry Juice

In addition to its many other health benefits, cranberry juice is also believed to have anti-inflammatory properties.

So it can help reduce inflammation and swelling in joints, which can be helpful for those with pain or stiffness caused by conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and osteoarthritis.

What Does Cranberry Juice Do for You Sexually?

Research has found that cranberry juice can help eliminate an enzyme called alpha-glucosidase, which is responsible for several negative effects on sexual health.

These include vaginal infection and inflammation, as well as increased risk of yeast infections. Therefore drinking moderate amounts of unsweetened cranberry juice can help improve sexual function.

Does Cranberry Juice Help With Cramps?

Many women have found that drinking cranberry juice can help to relieve menstrual cramps and other types of pain. This is thought to be due to its anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its ability to improve blood circulation in the pelvic region.

So if you experience painful periods with cramping, it may be worth trying adding cranberry juice to your diet.

Does Cranberry Juice Help With Kidney Stones?

Some research suggests drinking unsweetened cranberry juice may help reduce the risk of developing kidney stones. This may be because it has been shown to decrease levels of uric acid in the blood and urine, which can contribute to stone formation.

Possible Side Effects of Cranberry Juice

Side effects from cranberry juice are rare, although consuming large amounts could lead to heartburn, due to the high acid content.

Cranberry juice varieties sweetened with sugar could affect blood glucose levels in diabetics.

Cranberry concentrate tablets may increase your risk of kidney stones, although there is not much scientific evidence and hasn’t been documented in people drinking cranberry juice.

Fresh cranberry juice benefits are almost completely lost if what you choose to buy is the sugary version sold in most stores.

To reap the maximum cranberry juice benefits, organic or homemade unsweetened cranberry juice works best.

Avoid processed juice containing high fructose corn syrup or other additives, as these will only negate any health benefits that cranberry juice may provide.

Unprocessed and unsweetened cranberry juice is also the best choice for maintaining a healthy weight.

Organic Cranberry Juice

Organic pure cranberry juice can be found at most health or natural food stores. Most higher-end supermarkets are stocking their shelves with this kind of pure cranberry juice nowadays, too, as the research keeps showing the vast numbers of cranberry juice benefits!

Consuming cranberry juice is an increasingly popular alternative to orange juice or grapefruit juice daily because of a variety of potential health benefits that are being increasingly discovered in studies.

Is Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Good for You?

There is a lot of debate about whether Ocean Spray cranberry juice is good for you or not. Some people believe that it’s packed with antioxidants and vitamins that can help to support overall health, while others argue that the high sugar content makes it a less healthy choice. Ultimately, the answer depends on what kind of cranberry juice you are buying.

Organic cranberry juice, for example, is a much healthier choice as it contains no added sugar or preservatives. This makes it a good option if you’re looking to improve your health and reduce inflammation in the body, or if you’re at risk of developing certain chronic diseases such as heart disease or diabetes.

Are Cranberries a Superfood?

Cranberries have taken on the status of a so-called superfruit because of the variety of nutrients and antioxidants that they contain.

Actual cranberry juice has been linked to positive health benefits concerning a variety of systems such as the heart, immune system, cancer, urinary system, and teeth and gums.

Cranberry juice proves to be a health-conscious choice for many people looking to add fruit juice to their daily diets.

Your Cranberry Juice Consumption

Overall, pure cranberry juice has many health benefits that make it a great addition to any diet.

Whether you choose to drink it on its own or use it as a mixer for cocktails or smoothies, consuming cranberry juice regularly can help protect your body and improve your overall health and well-being.

So if you’re looking to boost your overall health and nutrition, why not give pure cranberry juice a try? It’s a delicious, easy way to get the vitamins and minerals that your body needs!

Add cranberry juice to your regular diet and you may enjoy improved digestive function, reduced risk of certain cancers, better cardiovascular health, and more. Whether you drink it on its own or add it to other beverages, cranberry juice is sure to bring a host of health benefits to your life.

Health Benefits of Cranberry Juice

What Is Cranberry Juice?

How Pure Cranberry Juice Is Made?

Is Cranberry Juice Good for You?