Drink this regularly to reap incredible health benefits!
Juice consumption has a complicated history. While some health experts recommend drinking juice to “detox the body,” others argue that juice contains far too much sugar. However, in many cases, drinking a portioned amount of certain types of 100% fruit juice can benefit your health in various ways by providing your body with essential vitamins and antioxidants—cranberry juice being one of them. But what are some of the side effects of cranberry juice?
While drinking cranberry juice has become a popular recommendation for female health, there are other incredible effects that everyone can benefit from. Here are a few that will likely persuade you to pick up a bottle on your next grocery run.
As a side note, it’s critical to consider the type of cranberry juice you’re drinking. You’ll want to look for brands that say 100% juice and have no added sugars. Be wary of “cranberry cocktail” juices, frequently loaded with added sugars and very little of the actual fruit.
1. Cranberry juice gives you a dose of vitamin C.
When most people think of vitamin C, they may envision a glass of orange juice. But, while orange juice is a good source of this vitamin, cranberry juice is also good. Cranberry juice contains 23.5 milligrams per cup or 26% of your daily value.
Getting enough vitamin C is essential for a variety of reasons. This vitamin can aid in healing wounds and infections, boost your immune system, and act as a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C is also required for the body’s collagen production and synthesis. So, pour yourself a glass of 100% cranberry juice today.
2. You’ll get a boost of antioxidants.
Cranberry juice, in addition to being nutrient-dense and high in vitamin C, is also high in antioxidants. They are widely recognized as one of nature’s superfoods, containing tiny bioactive compounds known as polyphenols that have been shown in over 50 years of research to provide numerous health benefits. Blood pressure, glucose metabolism, lipoprotein profiles, oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial function can all be improved by cranberry antioxidants.
3. Cranberry juice can help UTI health.
Your mother was correct when she advised you to drink cranberry juice for good health. This juice can improve your urinary tract health and reduce your risk of infection. Cranberries have a unique combination of polyphenols with anti-adhesion properties that can help prevent certain bacteria from sticking within the body and help maintain urinary tract health for UTIs.
Women who drank 8 ounces of cranberry juice daily saw a 40% reduction in their risk of recurring UTIs. The FDA quickly followed with a recommendation for women to drink cranberry juice regularly.
4. It can benefit gut health.
Cranberry products can also help to maintain a balance of good bacteria in your gut, which is essential for lowering your risk of developing a variety of diseases such as metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, immune disorders, bone diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, and others.
One animal study found that polyphenol-rich cranberry extract benefits the microflora population in the gut while also reducing intestinal inflammation. Because chronic inflammation raises the risk of many diseases, keeping inflammation levels in the body low is critical.
5. Cranberry juice can decrease oxidative stress.
Cranberry polyphenols’ potent oxidative stress-reducing properties have been shown to lower risk factors for cardiovascular disease and improve heart health. Cranberry juice consumption improved cardiovascular risk factors for study participants over 60 days due to the cranberry’s oxidative stress-reducing properties. This also emphasizes the importance of reducing oxidative stress in the body due to its link to an increased risk of atherosclerosis (the buildup of cholesterol or fat in the artery walls) in insulin resistant individuals.
Learn more: 6 Worst Drinks for Brain Health