The topic of drinking juice can be polarizing, with some health experts promoting it as a means to detoxify the body while others criticize it for its high sugar content. However, certain types of 100% fruit juice can provide the body with essential vitamins and antioxidants, making them beneficial for your health when consumed in moderate amounts. Cranberry juice is one such juice with numerous health benefits.
While cranberry juice is often recommended for women's health, it offers incredible benefits for people of all genders. Here are a few reasons why you should consider adding cranberry juice to your next grocery list. Additionally, for more healthy drink ideas, check out our list of the 5 Best Juices to Slow Aging.
It's crucial to note that you should pay attention to the type of cranberry juice you consume. It's best to choose brands that advertise 100% juice and contain zero added sugars. Avoid juices labeled as "cranberry cocktail," which are usually high in added sugars and low in actual fruit content.
1) Get Your Daily Dose of Vitamin C with Cranberry Juice
When people think of vitamin C, the first thing that comes to mind is often a refreshing glass of orange juice. However, cranberry juice is also an excellent source of this vital nutrient. According to the USDA, a single cup of cranberry juice contains 23.5 milligrams of vitamin C, which provides 26% of your daily recommended value.
Ensuring that you consume adequate levels of vitamin C is essential for many reasons. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health notes that this vitamin is vital for the body to heal from both infections and wounds, boosts the immune system, and acts as a potent antioxidant. The National Institutes of Health also explains that vitamin C plays a critical role in collagen production and synthesis in the body. So, don't hesitate to enjoy a glass of 100% cranberry juice to get your daily dose of vitamin C.
2) Experience an Antioxidant Boost with This
In addition to being packed with vitamin C and other essential nutrients, cranberry juice is renowned for its abundant supply of antioxidants.
Audrey Perkins, a senior manager at Ocean Spray with a nutrition master's degree, explains that cranberry juice contains polyphenols, a type of bioactive compound widely recognized as one of nature's superfoods. These compounds have been shown in over 50 years of research to offer a plethora of health benefits.
According to a report from Advances in Nutrition, cranberry antioxidants can have positive effects on blood pressure, glucose metabolism, lipoprotein profiles, oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial function. Drinking cranberry juice, in particular, is an effective way to obtain these antioxidants. Moreover, a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming cranberry juice could enhance the health of individuals with coronary artery disease.
3) Improving UTI Health with Cranberry Juice
If your mother ever advised you to drink cranberry juice for your well-being, she was right. This juice can indeed have a positive impact on your urinary tract health, reducing the likelihood of developing infections. Audrey Perkins, a senior manager at Ocean Spray with a nutrition master's degree, explains that the polyphenols unique to cranberries have anti-adhesion properties that help prevent certain bacteria from adhering to the body and support urinary tract health.
Another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that women who consumed an 8-ounce serving of cranberry juice every day had a 40% lower risk of recurring UTIs. Subsequently, the FDA suggested women drink cranberry juice regularly.
Perkins advises that consuming at least one 8-ounce serving of cranberry juice daily, such as Ocean Spray® Cranberry Juice Cocktail, in compliance with the study's recommendations, can help reduce the risk of recurrent urinary tract infections in healthy women.
4) Improving Gut Health: The Benefits of Cranberry Juice
As per Perkins, studies indicate that consuming cranberry products can help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, reducing the risk of various diseases, including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, immune disorders, bone disease, and Alzheimer's.
An animal-based study published in Gut shows the advantages of cranberry extract rich in polyphenols, which positively affects the gut's microflora population and reduces intestinal inflammation. Since chronic inflammation heightens the risk of several illnesses, maintaining low inflammation levels in the body is crucial.
5) Reducing Oxidative Stress with Cranberry Juice
According to Perkins, the cranberry polyphenols' potent antioxidant properties can minimize the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease and promote heart health.
A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition confirms this, demonstrating that consuming cranberry juice for 60 days led to improved cardiovascular risk factors for study participants due to the juice's oxidative stress-reducing properties. This study also stresses the importance of minimizing oxidative stress in the body, as it is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis - the accumulation of cholesterol or fat in the artery walls - in insulin-resistant individuals.