Cranberry juice is a delicious juice that comes with a delicious and healthy fruit –cranberry. This juice is essential in so many ways. Furthermore, it is also oozing with a lot of benefits. You might also have heard that drinking this juice may help in treating various illnesses, like urinary tract infection. Well, this is true, however, this isn’t just the only health benefits of cranberry juice –there’s more to it. Since the fruits where it came from is oozing with so many nutrients, it is beneficial as well in warding off many illnesses. If you wan to know more about this wonder juice, then give this article a read.
Cranberries: What are these?
Cranberries are fruits that are versatile, and its benefits make them even more beneficial not just in food products, but also in the medicine field. Moreover, this fruit is native to the regions in North America. It has an ample amount of antioxidant properties unlike some other fruits and vegetables. In fact, one cup of cranberries has 8983 antioxidant properties already.
Cranberries are fruits that are water-harvested. These fruits are rich in many nutrients, which is beneficial in getting rid of various infections as well as boost the overall health. Actually, all throughout the history, cranberry has been utilized in treating urinary conditions, liver problems, as well us upset stomachs.
These fruits grow in swampland. When these berries become ripe and are ready to pick, they float in the water. When they float on the surface of the water, they get more exposure to the sunlight. This may be beneficial in increasing the nutritional value of the fruit.
Just like most of the fruits, eating cranberries whole may give you the highest levels of nutrition. But, the cranberry juice is not to be disregarded –this is oozing with health benefits as well.
Nutritional Value of Cranberry Juice
As stated above, the cranberry has an ample amount of antioxidants –same goes to the cranberry juice. Furthermore, it also has rich levels of salicylic acid, and vitamin C. Cranberry juice fits so well in the dietary guidelines since it has only 45 calories per cup. Moreover, it also has 87.13 grams of water per 100 grams of it. It may also provide carbohydrates, protein, as well as energy.
When it comes to the mineral content of the cranberry juice, it has zinc, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, as well as calcium. Moreover, it also contains essential vitamins, such as vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin B6, niacin, riboflavin, as well as thiamin.
Health Benefits of Cranberry Juice
Here are some of the most amazing health benefits of cranberry juice:
Helps prevent cancer. The proanthocyanidins present in the juice and the fruit are powerful in inhibiting the growth of some cancer cells. Studies also suggest that the diets that are rich in flavonoids have a role in stopping the micro-tumors from developing into the blood vessels.
Help avoid respiratory infections. The juice helps in preventing various strains of influenza. Furthermore, it also helps in inhibiting the hair-like structures of the bacteria. This causes them to inhibit from adhering the skin surface.
Helps prevent tooth decay. Studies show that the juice is beneficial in preventing the onset of a tooth cavity. The chemical compound –proanthocyanidins in the fruit is also beneficial in inhibiting the harmful bacteria from clinging to the teeth.
Helps improve the cardiovascular health. The cranberry juice is beneficial in lowering the rick of various heart conditions. Moreover, the flavonoids that the juice contain have antioxidant properties, which is beneficial in reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.
Antitumor effects. The juice has the ability to prevent the onset of the tumor since it has polyphenolic compounds. Moreover, studies suggest that regular consumption of the juice may help in inhibiting the spread and development of various cancerous tumors.
Helps in treating urinary tract infection. As we know, UTI or urinary tract infection is an illness that many of us experience nowadays. This sudden condition may cause discomfort and pain to the ones who are affected by it. Good thing there is the cranberry juice –this is actually one of the best health benefits of cranberry juice. The juice helps in preventing the bacteria from binding into the cells on the bladder walls.
Side Effects of Cranberry Juice
Below are some of the most common side effects of cranberry juice:
- Kidney stones– the juice may contain calcium and oxalate. This in particular may result in the formation of calcium-oxalate stones in the kidney. In fact, there is about 43 percent of the raise of oxalate level when you consume the juice excessively.
- Aspirin allergy- there are substantial quantities of salicylic acid in the juice, thus consuming a lot of cranberry juice must be avoided.
- Warfarin- excessive consumption of the cranberry juice may affect the safety and efficacy of warfarin in the body. Hence, proper consumption and being cautious is a must.
