Cranberry juice is the taken from cranberry plant, an evergreen dwarf shrub that thrives in the cooler parts of the Northern Hemisphere. It is a rich natural source of vitamins A, C, calcium, dietary fiber, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and beta-carotene.
Here are some of the health benefits of cranberry juice:
1. It helps to treat and prevent urinary tract infection.
Pure cranberry juice contains properties that produce hippuric acid in the urine. This substance acidifies the urine and it inhibits bacteria from growing in the walls of the bladder. Drinking a glass of cranberry juice every day helps to reduce your risks from infections.
Cranberry juice also contains proanthocyanidins. These are potent antioxidants that help to prevent the growth of bacteria in the bladder cells.
2. It helps to lower bad cholesterol levels.
Cranberry juice is abundant in antioxidants and polyphenols that help to protect you from the harmful effects of free radicals. It also aids in the production of good cholesterol as well as the reduction of bad cholesterol levels in the body. Low cholesterol levels contribute to lower your risk from cardiovascular diseases.
3. It helps to prevent tooth decay.
New researches show that cranberry juice helps to protect your teeth from cavities because it contains certain chemicals that deter bacteria from sticking to your teeth.
4. It helps lower your risk from cancers.
Cranberries are high in proanthocyanidins. These are substances that help to prevent the growth of cancer cells in the body. These compounds also work to prevent the development of micro tumors in the blood vessels where they usually grow. Drinking a glass of cranberry juice daily reduces your risk of getting cancer.
5. It helps to provide relief from cold and sore throat.
Cranberry juice is an effective fighter against colds, influenza, ear and respiratory infections.
6. It helps to prevent the formation of kidney stones.
7. It helps to strengthen teeth and reduces your risk of getting osteoporosis.
Cranberry juice is able to give you strong, healthy teeth and protect your from osteoporosis because it is packed with calcium.
8. It helps to prevent stomach ulcers.
Cranberry juice can destroy H. pylori bacteria which are one of the main causes of stomach ulcers and stomach cancer. You should drink cranberry juice regularly for months in order to get protection from this harmful organism.
These are some of the health benefits of cranberry juice. You should consume it fresh and unsweetened to get the best health benefit it can offer. For best results, mix two ounces of cranberry juice with eight ounces of water, drink it on a regular basis, and see real benefits it can deliver.