Health Benefits of Cranberry Juice
The health benefits of cranberry juice are numerous, but perhaps none are as well known as the anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting properties of this fruit. Other health benefits include weight loss, and prevention of urinary tract infections. Let’s explore some of them. Listed below are just a few of these benefits. And there are a number of more. So get your juice, and enjoy the benefits!
For most healthy people, cranberry Juice is safe. Drinking cranberry juice may have some health benefits. Research suggests that drinking one to three glasses of this drink a day may decrease the risk of Urinary tract infections in both men and women, and may reduce the severity and duration of symptoms. Further, drinking cranberry juice has been shown to be effective in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the prostate gland becomes enlarged , inflamed or possibly cancerous.
Anti-inflammatory
The cranberry has a high polyphenol content, making it an excellent source of phenolic compounds that are responsible for a variety of health benefits. These polyphenols inhibit the oxidation and inflammation processes in the body and modulate the expression of key genes. As a result, studies have shown that drinking cranberry juice or eating cranberries may reduce inflammatory markers and reduce oxidative stress.
Anti-cancer
Studies have suggested that cranberry juice can inhibit the growth of lymphoma xenografts. In a study performed by Hochman et al, female Balb/C mice were injected with Rev-2-T-6 lymphoma cancer cells. The mice were then given cranberry juice constituents intraperitoneally every other day for two weeks. After the cancer cells were injected, the mice were treated with cranberry juice or dialyzable material with molecular weights of 12-30 kDa. Control mice developed lymphomas.
Weight loss
A recent study suggests that drinking cranberry juice may help prevent cardiovascular disease. Drinkers experienced lower levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation. The results indicated that cranberry juice may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by ten percent or more. While more research is needed to determine whether cranberry juice can prevent infection, there are some promising benefits. Here are some of the many benefits of drinking cranberry juice.
Prevents urinary tract infections
There are no definitive studies showing whether cranberry juice prevents urinary tract infections, but there are several benefits to drinking cranberry products. Some experts recommend drinking cranberry juice regularly to prevent urinary tract infections. It also helps flush the urinary tract.
PACs in cranberry juice are nearly as effective as those found in low-dose antibiotics. And unlike antibiotics, cranberry juice does not cause antibiotic resistance. So if you are interested in preventing urinary tract infections, it’s worth a try.
Lowers homocysteine
A new study suggests that cranberry juice consumption improves some cardiovascular risk
factors, including cholesterol and adiponectin. The results are preliminary, but it confirms that cranberry consumption reduces levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and increases plasma antioxidant capacity. However, further studies are needed to determine whether cranberry intake affects the cardiovascular risk factors in MetS patients.
Lowers diabetes
Lowered blood sugar, decreased inflammation, and improved insulin sensitivity are some of the benefits of drinking cranberry juice. It’s also been shown to improve b-cell function and glucose tolerance in insulin-resistant mice. However, more research is needed to determine the specific mechanisms by which cranberry juice lowers blood sugar levels. For example, researchers have suggested that cranberry polyphenols can lower glucose levels.
Lowers stroke
The lowers stroke benefits of cranberry juice are based on studies published in several scientific journals. One study showed that cranberry juice lowers triglycerides. Despite these studies, it is still unclear how much cranberry juice should be consumed to have a beneficial effect. In addition to lowering triglycerides, cranberry juice can lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and improve cardiovascular health.
Cranberry juice is a great way to help boost your overall health if you’re concerned about increasing your intake of antioxidants. It’s also safe for most healthy adults, and the benefits are potentially significant. While it’s not currently known whether cranberry juice can affect the progression or severity of chronic diseases such as diabetes or cancer, traditional benefits certainly suggest that the juice may be able to help with these conditions as well. Of course, whether or not those potential benefits are meaningful enough to warrant trying the juice will depend on an individual’s personal risk of these conditions, and his or her beliefs about the power of antioxidants to influence them.
