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- Antioxidant properties
- Antioxidant properties
- Heart health
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Digestive health
- Oral health
Did you know cranberry juice benefits your body in several ways by helping your body to ward of infections and provide a boost to your overall health. With all of the natural health benefits offered by this tangy and sweet superfruit the question is “drinking cranberry juice good for you?”
In this article, we provide insight and guidance into cranberry juice benefits and what cranberry juice does for your body. Learn more about dried cranberries.
You may have read about or watched a video that drinking cranberry juice can help with fighting urinary tract infections (UTI), but that is only way this little fruit aids in keeping you healthy.
Cranberries offer a number of great health benefits including:
- Urinary tract health
- Antioxidant properties
- Health health
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Digestive health
- Oral health
Getting Started: Where are cranberries grown?
Cranberries are grown in marshy fields and are water-harvested. One amazing fact about the berries is when they are ripe and ready to pick, they float in the float on the surface of the water.
As the berries a floating atop the water, they are easier to harvest then picking individual berries from the bushes.
The top cranberry growing states in the U.S.:
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut
- New Jersey
- Michigan
- Wisconsin
- Minnesota
- Washington
- Oregon
Urinary tract health
Cranberry juice is best known for its ability to promote urinary tract health. The reason is this juice contains proanthocyanidins. These naturally occurring compounds help prevent certain types of bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract.
As the bacteria is unable to “stick” to the walls of the urinary tract, this can help to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). While UTIs are most common in women, men can also experience urinary tract infections, too. Enjoying a glass of cranberry juice daily may help reduce the frequency of these infections in both men and women.
One concern many people have is that cranberry juice also is high in sugar content. One way to enjoy the health benefits of cranberries is to consider taking cranberry pills or adding no-added sugar cranberries to your daily diet.
Antioxidant properties
Cranberries are rich source of free radical fighting antioxidants. Free radicals are unstable molecules that have lost an oxygen molecule. These damage molecule in the body, in essence, steal oxygen molecules from healthy cells, thus causing further damage in at the cellular levels in the body. Free radical cell damage has been linked to chronic inflammation, diabetes and more.
Heart health
A 2019 article published the European Journal of Nutrition suggested the overweight male participants enjoyed improved cholesterol levels and reduced risk of heart disease. The researchers suggested the presence of phytonutrients in cranberries may add in reducing inflammation in the body and blood vessels. The study suggests drinking cranberry juice benefits for males for maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system.
Anti-inflammatory compounds
The presence of anti-inflammatory compounds, such as flavonoids and polyphenols, may help to reduce inflammation in the body naturally. Chronic inflammation is often linked to a variety of health problems. These include heart disease and autoimmune disorders. By enjoying the anti-inflammatory benefits of drinking cranberry juice daily may help in lowering the risk of these conditions.
Digestive health
In addition to helping to prevent bacteria to sticking the walls of the urinary tract, proanthocyanidins can help prevent harmful bacteria from adhering to the walls of the gut, too. This can help promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
Oral health
Did you know that drinking cranberry juice may also help fight gum disease and tooth decay? The naturally occurring compounds in the cranberry juice can also prevent bacteria from sticking to the teeth and gums. This can help reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Finally, the compounds cranberry juice may also help reduce inflammation in the gums, which inturn can improve overall oral health.
In Conclusion
It's important to note that while cranberry juice may offer these health benefits, it is often high in sugar and calories. It's best to consume cranberry juice in moderation and choose options that are low in added sugars. Additionally, if you have a history of kidney stones or are taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, it's important to talk to your healthcare provider before consuming cranberry juice.
