Benefits to Drinking Cranberry Juice

Cranberry Juice Benefits

Modern research has backed up the historical usage of cranberries for a wide variety of ailments including urinary tract health, dental health, heart health and preliminary studies show potentially for cancer as well.

Every time research is done on these delightful fruits, the list of benefits to drinking cranberry juice grows.

Can you Cure a UTI with Cranberry Juice?

Can you cure a Urinary Tract Infection with cranberry juice? Potentially. One of the most well known benefits to drinking cranberry juice is for urinary tract health. The cranberry, according to studies done by the Urological Clinics of North America[1], contains high levels of proanthocyanidins (let's call 'em PAC's) which prevent harmful bacteria from sticking to cell walls in the urinary tract. PACs are antioxidants which have a wide variety of benefits in the body. By stopping the bacteria from sticking, cranberry juice prevents infection. The end result is prevention and reduction of the symptoms of urinary tract infection ( also known as UTI ) [2].

I think anyone who has ever had a Urinary Tract Infection would agree that's a good thing. Easy, too. Even one eight ounce serving of diluted cranberry juice has been shown to be effective. I have seen the most remarkable results from clients who consumed at least 2 8oz. glasses a day, separated by at least 8-10 hours.

Cranberry Juice for Healthy Teeth

Another benefit to drinking cranberry juice is inhibiting the formation of dental plaque. A study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association showed that cranberry juice had the ability to inhibit and even reverse the accumulation of cavity forming bacteria on the teeth.[3]

Dental plaque is an accumulation of bacteria that sticks to the tooth surface. Most dental cavities are caused by this particular bacterial strain, Streptococcus Mutans. Even brushing doesn't remove this tenacious bacteria.

In this study, researchers isolated a component of cranberry juice, cleverly called nondialysable material (NDM to his friends). They put the NDM into a mouthwash form and it showed a comprehensive reduction in plaque. Cranberries and cranberry juice keep getting better.

Cranbery Juice Benefits for Cancer

An unexpected but impressive benefit to drinking cranberry juice was demonstrated in research done at the University of Illinois and more recently at the University of Western Ontario.

In these studies, some anti-carcinogenic components of the wonderful cranberry were shown to lower incidence of tumor development in human breast cancer cells. More research has yet to be done to be conclusive, but the potential is impressive. On top of an already impressive list of benefits, anti-cancer properties make drinking cranberry juice even more compelling.[4]

Health Benefits of Cranberry Juice for Heart Health

One of the last benefits to drinking cranberry juice I'm going to include is its role in heart health. The antioxidant components, called polyphenols, and bioflavonoids may help to reduce the risk of heart disease.

An article published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition outlined how the polyphenols and bioflavonoids in cranberry juice can reduce oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL is what most people refer to as "bad" cholesterol. By reducing oxidation of cholesterol, you can lower your risk of blockages forming in veins and arteries. This means that drinking cranberry juice can reduce your likelihood of getting angina (chest pain), blood clots, and even a heart attack.[5]

Unsweetened Cranberry Juice is the Best

When looking for cranberry juice, be sure to buy the pure stuff. Cranberry juice products that contain added sugar aren't as effective or healthy as the real deal. Labels can be deceiving; make sure to look at the ingredient list. A good product should contain only contain unsweetened cranberry juice or cranberry juice and water. Avoid products that have added sugar, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, or high fructose corn syrup.

The best products I have used are from either Knudsen or Lakewood. Both are excellent brand names. Pure cranberry juice is quite tart so I would consider diluting it with filtered water or organic apple juice. Most of the research has been done with pure unsweetened cranberry juice diluted to 30%. Add a little raw honey or stevia if it is still too sour for your taste buds. The health benefits to drinking cranberry juice are well worth the tartness. The extra cost of good quality juices are worth it. You owe it to yourself to go for the good stuff. You deserve it.

Related Cranberry Juice Pages:

[1]Ahuja, S., Kaack, B. and Roberts, J. Loss of fimbrial adhesion with addition of Vaccinium macrocarpon to growth medium of p-fimbriated E. coli. Journal of Urology, 1998. 159: 559-562.

[2]Fowler, J.E. Urinary tract infections in women. Urological Clinics of North America, 1986. 13(4): 673-683.

[3]Weiss EI, Lev-Dor R, Kashamn Y, Goldhar J, Sharon N, Ofek I. Inhibiting interspecies coaggregation of plaque bacteria with a cranberry juice constituent. JADA, 1998. 129:1719-1723.

[4]Guthrie, N. Effect of cranberry juice and products on human breast cancer cell growth. in Experimental Biology, 2000

[5]Reed, J. Cranberry flavonoids, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular health. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 2002. 42(Suppl.): 301-316.