Benefits of Cranberry Juice: Is It Healthy? (2024)

FAQs

Is it beneficial to drink cranberry juice everyday? ›

Cranberry juice is rich in anti-inflammatory antioxidants and key nutrients. It may also help prevent UTIs, support a healthy gut, and help manage some chronic conditions, like heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis. However, consuming cranberries daily may not be optimal for everyone.

Improving heart health

Studies show that various ingredients in cranberry juice may improve heart health. Cranberries are high in chemicals called polyphenols that may support heart health. A 2011 study of females with metabolic syndrome found that cranberry juice increased the antioxidants in the blood plasma.

Cranberry fruit is high in antioxidants, partly from substances called proanthocyanidins, which give cranberries their vibrant color. Antioxidants neutralize particles in the body known as free radicals, which damage DNA and are thought to contribute to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other conditions.

Although cranberry juice is safe to consume in moderation, drinking too much can cause side effects such as upset stomach, diarrhea, and blood sugar spikes. In the past, it was believed that cranberry juice can slow the growth of bacteria and therefore is useful in treating urinary tract infections.

Opt for one with 100% pure cranberry juice and no "added sugars" on the nutrition label. This is different from the naturally occurring sugars from the fruit which will be present in the juice.

Cranberry juice is high in salts called oxalates, which can make kidney stones more likely, especially if you already tend to get these types of stones. If you take the blood-thinning medication warfarin, you should avoid cranberry products, because cranberries can interact with warfarin and cause bleeding.

"Food and nutrition experts understand that, with its powerful nutrients and well-documented health benefits, the cranberry can play an important role in a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle," said Kellyanne Dignan, Director, Global Corporate Affairs at Ocean Spray.

Despite cranberry presentation, it is generally recommended to consume cranberries just prior or two hours after meals; it is also important to drink lots of water, mainly after preparations from dehydrated juices (11).

by Drugs.com

Cranberry may increase the anticoagulant effect from blood thinners like warfarin and lead to bruising or bleeding. If you take an oral blood thinner, check with your doctor before consuming large amounts of cranberry or cranberry juice.

Cranberry juice is high in oxalates, which can increase your risk of calcium oxalate kidney stones. This is because oxalates bind to calcium when you consume a lot of them, especially if you're already prone to kidney stones ( 3 , 4 ).

What happens to your urine when you drink cranberry juice? ›

That's because there are special compounds in cranberries called A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs) that can prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall. In theory, this could prevent UTIs from happening or help you recover from one faster.

Many dark berries — including blueberries, raspberries, and cranberries — contain antioxidants called polyphenols, which may help protect the liver from damage.

Studies have pointed out that due to the added sugars and water that dilute the cranberry juice, cranberry capsules are a more effective alternative. In fact, it turns out that the active ingredient in cranberries that helps prevent E. coli from turning into an infection may not even be present in cranberry juice!

Cranberry juice is rich in vitamin C, which helps keep your immune system healthy and functioning properly. It fights against oxidative stress from free radicals and helps kill harmful bacteria. Some studies also link low vitamin C intake to poor immune function. Infection prevention.

While cranberry juice and co*cktail contain similar amounts of carbohydrates from sugar, pure, unsweetened cranberry juice is a better option since it has more nutrients and fewer additives. Both cranberry juice and cranberry co*cktail contain around 30 grams of sugar per cup (236 mL).

Cranberry juice has been thought to help with kidney stones, but research suggests that it may actually increase kidney stones formation — especially calcium oxalate stones, which are the most common kidney stones. Ideally, you should try to limit your juice intake to around one cup (236 mL) or less per day.

If you replace lost fluids with plain water, you can end up diluting essential electrolytes like sodium until your cells can't function properly. For proper hydration you need both electrolytes and water. So the minerals in cranberry juice can help keep you hydrated, but at the cost of a high sugar intake.