Cranberry juice provides various antioxidants and nutrients. This tart juice is available unsweetened or with added sugar as a cranberry juice cocktail. Cranberry juice may also be paired with other juices, such as apple or grape, to create a juice blend. The juice is generally prepared using cranberries, sugars and other ingredients. Check the label of your desired brand to see a complete list of specific ingredients.
Cranberries
Although some cranberry juice blends may contain other fruits, the main ingredient in cranberry juice is cranberries. Some companies may use cranberry juice concentrate, which makes the juice stronger by boiling off some of the liquid. During the concentration process, cranberries lose many of their nutrients and vitamins because of the heat involved. Brands that contain raw, unsweetened cranberries offer the most nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
Sugar
Because of the tartness of cranberries, a significant amount of sugar is added to cranberry juice to sweeten the taste. Although unsweetened cranberry juice is available, most commercial brands of the juice are sweetened using sugar or corn syrup. Unsweetened varieties may not contain added sugar, but they do contain a high amount of natural sugar. An 8 oz. glass of unsweetened cranberry juice contains 30 grams of sugar, and an 8 oz. serving of cranberry juice cocktail with added sugar has 34 grams of sugar.
Other Ingredients
Other common ingredients in cranberry juice cocktails include water, citric acid, natural flavors and ascorbic acid, which is also known as vitamin C. Unsweetened cranberry juice has 23.5 mg of vitamin C per 8 oz. serving, while the same amount of cranberry juice cocktail contains 107 mg. Juice blends that contain other fruits list any added concentrates or juices on the ingredient list.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information for cranberry juice varies depending on the brand and type of juice. Unsweetened varieties generally contain a few less calories than cranberry juice cocktails and other cranberry blends. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Nutrient Database, an 8 oz. glass of unsweetened cranberry juice contains 116 calories, 1 gram of protein and 30 grams of carbohydrates, while cranberry juice cocktail has 137 calories, no protein and 34 grams of carbohydrates per serving. An 8 oz. serving of low-calorie cranberry juice cocktail has only 45 calories, no protein and 10 carbohydrates.
Considerations
If the sugar content of cranberry juice is a concern, many companies sell a sugar-free or low-calorie option that contains a sugar substitute such as sucralose or aspartame. You can also dilute cranberry juice with water to cut the calories and sugar from the juice. Fresh cranberries provide the health benefits of the juice without the added sugar. Consult your health care provider before using cranberry juice to treat any health concerns.
Member Comments