Cranberry juice is considered safe for most people to drink, but similar to many food products, certain groups should avoid consuming it, and at certain levels, anyone can experience negative side effects. Often reported side effects of drinking too much cranberry juice include upset stomach or diarrhea, as well as diuresis, or loss of fluid. Perhaps less commonly known are its effect on kidney stones, diabetes and certain medications.
Cranberries Are a Diuretic
Similar to apple cider vinegar, artichokes, asparagus, coffee or caffeine, garlic, green tea, horseradish, oats, parsley, tomatoes and watermelon, cranberries are a natural diuretic. Diuretics are substances that promote the removal of fluids from the body through urination. So the higher the concentration of cranberries in your juice, the more diuresis, or loss of fluid to urine, you'll experience. Most cranberry juice on the market is actually a cocktail, containing only a relatively small percentage of pure cranberry juice. The rest of the juice is made up of water and added sweetener.
Kidney Stones
Drinking one quart a day or more of cranberry juice for an extended period of time could lead to developing kidney stones, according to MedlinePlus. However, some experts advocate drinking cranberry juice to prevent kidney stones. There are four main types of kidney stones, including calcium oxalate and uric acid stones, and struvite and brushite stones. Kidney stones form when these substances precipitate, or solidify, out of your urine and then obstruct its flow. Cranberry juice has properties that may inhibit calcium oxalate and uric acid stones, but also has properties that may promote the struvite and brushite stones. More research needs to be done to determine whether cranberry juice should either be avoided or recommended for kidney stones. Talk to your doctor if you are considering cranberry juice for kidney stones.
Diabetes and Aspirin
If you are diabetic, remember that most cranberry juice is sweetened. Look for cranberry juice that has been artificially sweetened and ask your health care provider if you have any questions about how best to incorporate cranberry juice into your diet.
If you are allergic to aspirin, don't drink large amounts of cranberry juice, as the salicylic acid found in cranberries has properties similar to aspirin.
Other Medications
Aside from aspirin, cranberries can increase the effects and side effects of several medications, because these medications are broken down by the liver and cranberries alter the speed at which this occurs, according to Medline. Medications that could be affected by drinking cranberry juice include Elavil, Valium, Zyflo, Celebrex, Voltaren, Lescol, Glucotrol, Advil and Motrin, Avapro, Cozaar, Dilantin, Feldene, Nolvadex, Tolinase, Dermadex and Coumadin. Consult a physician to determine whether any medications you are taking will be altered by drinking cranberry juice.
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