The Benefits of Cranberry Juice
Unsweetened cranberry juice is a healthy drink that provides us with interesting nutritional properties. Although it’s become popular in its commercial presentations, the best way to take advantage of its nutrients is by drinking its natural juice.
What benefits are attributed to it?
Why does it contribute to improving your diet’s quality? In recent years, some research has supported its properties. For this reason, its consumption is recommended for certain health problems. We detail more about it below.
Nutritional properties of cranberry juice
Many of the health benefits of cranberry juice are attributed to its significant supply of essential nutrients. As the FoodData Central from the United States Department of Agriculture states, this drink contains:
- Vitamin C: 26% of the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI)
- Vitamin E: 20% of the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI)
- Copper: 15% of the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI)
- Vitamin K1: 11% of the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI)
- Vitamin B6: 8% of the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI)
In turn, information published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition highlights that cranberries are a significant source of flavonoids, especially anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins. Also, it contains organic acids, terpenes, and other compounds that are associated with health benefits.
The benefits of drinking cranberry juice
Cranberry juice became popular as a healthy drink that can provide several benefits when you include it in your diet. However, it’s important to clarify that it isn’t a healing drink or a drink with super properties. While some of its benefits are supported by evidence, to date, it hasn’t been accepted as a treatment for diseases.
Of course, it’s worth incorporating it into your diet, since it’s a source of nutrients and bioactive compounds that help maintain well-being. In any case, you must be aware that it won’t improve your health on its own and that you must accompany its consumption with a good diet and good habits.
Discover: Five New Medicinal Uses for Cranberries
It contributes to caring for your cardiovascular health
Cranberry juice can help to reduce your risk of suffering from heart disease. This is thanks to its high flavonoid content. These carry out the job of an antioxidant. Essentially, this reduces the probability of problems like arteriosclerosis.
This is a disease where your arteries narrow due to the accumulation of lipids, calcium, and cholesterol in your blood. The danger with arteriosclerosis is that it obstructs your blood flow. This makes it so that certain parts of your body don’t get the amount of oxygen they need. When you don’t get good treatment, you can end up with problems. These include heart attacks and strokes.
A recent study published in the European Journal of Nutrition states that cranberry juice helped improve several risk factors for heart disease in overweight and obese patients, such as inflammation and bad cholesterol markers.
It aids digestive health
The polyphenols and antioxidants cranberry juice contains also have positive effects on digestive health. They seem to help reduce gastrointestinal tract inflammation.
On the other hand, as a study published in the Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice states, it can contribute to inhibiting the growth of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria in the stomach lining.
Cranberry juice helps care for dental health
Proanthocyanidin is a chemical compound that’s present in blueberries. Its function is to inhibit harmful bacteria that tend to adhere to teeth. Therefore, it protects teeth from periodontal disease and plaque build-up, as a recent study published in the Journal of Dentistry states.
Cranberry juice and good oral hygiene are a good combination to take care of your oral health. However, you should remember that the consumption of processed juices isn’t convenient. They tend to contain a lot of sugar. Therefore, it’s best to consume natural cranberry juice.
Other benefits of cranberry juice
According to information published in Advances in Nutrition, cranberries and their juice also provide other benefits. This includes:
- Positive effects against urinary tract infections.
- Reduced risk of diabetes and hypertension.
- Control over the negative effects of oxidative stress.
- Benefits as an anti-inflammatory.
Is cranberry juice safe?
Moderate consumption of cranberry juice is safe and healthy. However, drinking too much can lead to side effects such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and high blood sugar.
Also, it can be negative in people taking blood thinners. Therefore, it’s advisable to consult your doctor before consuming it on a regular basis.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Pappas, E., & Schaich, K. M. (2009). Phytochemicals of cranberries and cranberry products: Characterization, potential health effects, and processing stability. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 49(9), 741–781. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408390802145377
- Chew, B., Mathison, B., Kimble, L., McKay, D., Kaspar, K., Khoo, C., … Blumberg, J. (2019). Chronic consumption of a low calorie, high polyphenol cranberry beverage attenuates inflammation and improves glucoregulation and HDL cholesterol in healthy overweight humans: a randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Nutrition, 58(3), 1223–1235. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-018-1643-z
- Philip N, Walsh LJ. Cranberry Polyphenols: Natural Weapons against Dental Caries. Dent J (Basel). 2019;7(1):20. Published 2019 Mar 1. doi:10.3390/dj7010020
- Blumberg JB, Camesano TA, Cassidy A, et al. Cranberries and their bioactive constituents in human health. Adv Nutr. 2013;4(6):618–632. Published 2013 Nov 6. doi:10.3945/an.113.004473