People who are interested in a healthy, nutritious beverage should consider cranberry juice. The juice contains antioxidants and other ingredients that may promote certain health benefits. Some cranberry juice drinks contain a high number of calories and sugars, however. Check the label or consider a diet version if you are concerned about your calorie intake.
Types
All cranberry juice drinks are not created equal. Unsweetened cranberry juice is sour and may be less pleasant to drink, but it typically is more nutrient-rich than the more common cranberry cocktails. In the past, cranberry cocktails had significant sugar added to make the beverage more palatable. Although many companies still add sugar to their cranberry juice products, some also sell a diet version of cranberry juice. Diet cranberry juice drinks contain a sugar substitute, such as aspartame or sucralose. Popular brands of cranberry juice include Ocean Spray, Welch's, Lakewood, Knudsen and Tropicana.
Nutrition Facts
The nutritional information about cranberry juice varies by type and brand of the juice. Unsweetened cranberry juice generally contains slightly fewer calories than cranberry juice cocktails that have extra sugar added, but unsweetened cranberry juice may contain more calories than a diet cranberry juice cocktail. Check the nutrition label to determine the exact nutrition facts for your specific kind of cranberry juice. Generally, a one-half cup of prepared cranberry juice contains 60 calories, 0 g of total fat, 0 mg of cholesterol, 5 mg of sodium and 0 g of protein in each serving. The total carbohydrates are 14 g, with 12 g coming from sugar. One half-cup cup serving of cranberry juice provides 20 percent of the daily value of vitamin C. Cranberry juice is not a good source of calcium, iron or vitamin A.
Benefits
Cranberry juice reduces the chances of women getting a urinary tract infection. The combination of the fructose and proanthocyanidins inside the juice prevents bacteria from sticking to the lining of the bladder wall. Women prone to urinary tract infections may benefit from drinking at least 10 oz. once a day, according to "Newsweek." Cranberry juice is high in antioxidants, which may help prevent heart disease. Although more research is needed, the juice also may help prevent ulcers and cancer, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Misconceptions
Although some people believe that cranberry juice can also treat a urinary tract infection, this has not been scientifically proven. Because of this, it is unwise to use cranberry juice to treat a urinary infection without consulting a doctor to explore treatment options.
Considerations
Many options are available to those who want to receive the health benefits of cranberry juice, but are concerned about the calories in cranberry juice. While drinking a diet version of cranberry juice is one option, you can also mix cranberry juice with plain or sparkling water to cut out some of the calories as well. Eating fresh cranberries also can provide the nutrients you seek without the extra calories from sugar. Although some people can benefit from taking a cranberry supplement, always talk to your doctor first to make sure it is appropriate for you.
References
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Cranberry Juice Concentrate Fact Sheet
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Unsweetened Cranberry Juice
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Low-Calorie Cranberry Juice Cocktail
- "Newsweek": Can Cranberry Juice Cure Urinary Tract Infections?; Karen Springen; Feb. 1, 2008
- "The Journal of Nutrition"; Cranberry and Its Phytochemicals: A Review of In Vitro Anticancer Studies; Catherine C. Neto; January 2007
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Cranberry
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