What Is Cranberry Juice Good For

In fact, throughout history, cranberries have been used to treat:

Get the Facts: The Health Benefits of Cranberry Juice

Cranberries contain nutrients to help your body ward off infections and boost overall health. You get the highest level of nutrition when you eat them whole, but the juice is still chock-full of benefits.

You may have heard that drinking cranberry juice can help with a urinary tract infection (UTI), but that’s not the only benefit.

In fact, throughout history, cranberries have been used to treat:

  • urinary issues
  • upset stomach
  • liver problems

Cranberries grow in marshes and are often water-harvested. When the berries are ripe and ready to pick, they float in the water. Being on the water’s surface exposes them to more sunlight. This may increase their nutritional value.

Read on to find out how drinking cranberry juice can benefit your health.

Unsweetened, pure cranberry juice is a good source of both vitamin C and vitamin E. It’s also a decent source of several other vitamins and minerals, including:

  • vitamin C: 26% of the daily value (DV)
  • vitamin E: 20% of the DV
  • copper: 15% of the DV
  • vitamin K1: 11% of the DV
  • vitamin B6: 8% of the DV

Vitamin C and E are strong antioxidants that play an important role in overall health.

Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins, a class of compounds commonly found in plants. It’s believed that these compounds can help prevent UTIs by stopping bacteria from attaching to the lining of the urinary tract. If bacteria can’t grow and spread, an infection is unable to develop.

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Unfortunately, research on cranberry juice has been mixed. Some studies show cranberry juice to be effective in reducing the risk of UTIs, while others have found that it isn’t an effective treatment.

More research is still needed to determine the exact benefits.

Cranberries also contain other phytonutrients with anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation plays a role in damaging blood vessels over time, including the arteries. The damaged arteries then attract plaque, causing atherosclerosis.

Phytonutrients in cranberries could help guard against inflammation, delaying the process and offering protection against heart disease.

A 2019 study in men who are overweight and have obesity showed that the daily intake of a high-polyphenol cranberry beverage for 8 weeks improved several risk factors for heart disease.

There’s also some evidence that cranberry juice can help to prevent dental plaque that builds up on teeth and causes gum disease.

Alex Koliada, PhD
Alex Koliada, PhD

Alex Koliada, PhD, is a well-known doctor. He is famous for his studies of ageing, genetics and other medical conditions. He works at the Institute of Food Biotechnology and Genomics NAS of Ukraine. His scientific researches are printed by the most reputable international magazines. Some of his works are:

Differences in the gut Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio across age groups in healthy Ukrainian population [BiomedCentral.com];
Mating status affects Drosophila lifespan, metabolism and antioxidant system [Science Direct];
Anise Hyssop Agastache foeniculum Increases Lifespan, Stress Resistance, and Metabolism by Affecting Free Radical Processes in Drosophila [Frontiersin].

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