Proanthocyanidins

Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins which are nutrients naturally found in high concentrations in cranberries that stop bacteria from sticking to parts of your body internally, including the urinary tract – hence why people say that cranberries prevent urinary tract infections (UTI’s). These same compounds also prevent bacteria from sticking to your teeth which make for good oral hygiene and may even help stop you from getting cavities.

Vitamin C

A very small (shotglass-like) serving of fresh cranberries contain a massive 25% of your DV. This vitamin is the, “healthy immune system vitamin,” and I’d argue the most popular vitamin because it is important in many other ways too.

It helps in your body’s collagen production, which is required to create and maintain healthy teeth, gums, joints, skin, bones, blood vessels, etc. It also really helps with wound healing which is why indigenous cultures used to as a medicine as well as a food.

Vitamin C is one of the predominant antioxidants in cranberries.

Polyphenols

Polyphenols are pretty much antioxidants which protect our tissues against damage from toxins.

To date there are tens of thousands of polyphenols identified.

Some studies suggest that polyphenols in cranberries may reduce the risk of heart disease by preventing platelet build-up and reducing blood pressure via anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

This can Taste Good.

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How to Enjoy this Incredibly Sour Drink?

Pure cranberry juice is much too sour to drink by itself, and adding sugar to it defeats the purpose.

So we need to figure out how to consume it without any of the negative consequences that come with making it more palatable.

The answer, is to mix it up with other good tasting stuff, that are not bad for you or weight gaining in any way.

Check out an entire blog post dedicated to doing just that!

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Nutritional Info

Pure Cranberry Juice Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 cup (253 g)
Calories: 116

MACRO NUTRIENTS

Carbs: 30 g
Protein: 1.0 g
Fat 0.0 g

(Sugars: 30 g)

Fiber: 0 g

VITAMINS

Vitamin C: 39% RDA
Vitamin E: 15% RDA
Vitamin K: 16% RDA

MINERALS

Manganese: 0% RDA
Potassium: 6% RDA
Copper: 7% RDA

*** The data above is for pure cranberry juice and not the sweetened variety we generally see at the supermarket.

Note that copper is one of the minerals listed. Copper is a trace element which is usually low in our typical, Western diet. Without enough copper we may heart health issues.

Conclusion

It’s much, much, much better to drink cranberry juice in it’s pure form than sweetened. One could probably write 20 blog posts on how bad it is to drink the sweetened stuff, or any sweetened juice or drink.

The health benefits come in the form of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, polyphenols and Proanthocyanidins.

No sugar.

Lots of upside for your health with no downside whatsoever.

How often can you get a deal like that when it comes to food?

– Cranby