Both cranberry juice and cranberry pills are effective for improving urinary tract health. Those who wish to avoid the bitterness of cranberries may choose pills over juice. Cranberry pills come in highly concentrated formulations and are more potent than cranberry juice, which is usually diluted with water. One pill is equivalent to approximately 16 oz of pure, unsweetened, undiluted cranberry juice and provides no calories. Speak with your doctor about whether cranberry juice or cranberry pills might work for you.
Health Benefits
Cranberries contain antioxidant compounds called proanthocyandins that prevent E coli bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall where they reproduce. Proanthocyandins flush bacteria from the body and reduce the probability of urinary tract infections. Cranberry juice and cranberry pills can help prevent urinary tract infections; however, according to Medline Plus they are not a cure for UTIs. According to the Cranberry Institute, the natural antioxidants in cranberry juice and cranberry pills may also help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, periodontal disease and kidney stones.
Cranberry Concentration
Cranberry pills are formulated supplements containing highly concentrated amounts of cranberries that offer more nutritional value than most commercial cranberry juices. Unsweetened, 100 percent pure cranberry juice offers a healthy alternative. However, most commercial cranberry juices contain high amounts of sugar and are diluted with water. One cranberry pill may have the health benefits of up to ten glasses of cranberry juice. Therefore, you may experience the nutritional benefits from cranberries sooner when consuming supplements.
Daily Dose
Cranberries may be consumed in a juice or concentrated pill form as a preventative for urinary tract infections, kidney stones and other health issues. According to the Mayo Clinic, the recommended daily dose for 100 percent pure, unsweetened and undiluted cranberry juice is 3 to 16 ounces twice daily. The recommended daily dose for cranberry pills by mouth is 300 to 400 mg twice daily taken with water one hour before or two hours after meals.
Caloric Intake
Cranberry juice and cranberry pills are both effective in maintaining urinary tract health. However, cranberry pills allow you to avoid the calories associated with cranberry juice. Pure, sugar-free cranberry juice contains 50 calories per six ounce serving. Therefore, for the 32 oz. recommended daily dose includes approximately 267 calories. Cranberry juice cocktail is loaded with sugar and contains approximately 140 calories per six ounce serving. Therefore you would consume approximately 746 calories for your recommended daily dose. One cranberry pill is equivalent to approximately 5000 mg of fresh berries with zero calories.
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