Be Berry Aware of the Benefits of Cranberry Juice

I received a compensation in return for this post. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own.

I’m sure you’ve all heard the benefits of drinking cranberry juice. However, did you know that you may get the most benefits from a juice with a higher content of cranberry juice? I received some great information from Be Berry Aware to share.

Eight Reasons to Include Cranberry Juice in the Diet

1. 8 oz. (1 cup) of cranberry juice, with a minimum of 27% cranberry juice, provides the same health benefits as 1? cups of whole berries.
2. The rich red color of cranberry juice is derived from anthocyanin’s which are naturally occurring flavonoids – a type of antioxidant with health promotion potential.
3. Cranberry juice contains a unique and abundant polyphenol proanthocyanidin (PAC-A), which sets it apart from other juices and is responsible for its bacterial anti-adhesion properties.
4. Cranberry juice cocktails may contain high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) as a sweetener but still provide the same calorie, carb and sugar content as 100% juice blends. The difference is that 100% juice blends provide vitamins and phytonutrients from the other juices, HFCS sweetens but does not provide nutritional value.
5. Other healthy and popular juices like apple juice and orange juice have similar carb and sugar content as cranberry juice products.
6. 100% cranberry juice is considered a ?nutrient dense? beverage – per calorie, it packs more nutritional value than other beverage choices. However, pure cranberry juice is very tart; see back for simple ideas for softening acidity to improve palatability.
7. 70% of Americans do not meet the daily allowance for fruits and vegetables. Although whole foods contain more fiber and contribute better to satiety than juice, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines and MyPlate acknowledge a serving per day of 100% juice as a fruit and/or vegetable allowance.
8. The National Kidney Foundation? suggests drinking a glass of cranberry juice daily may help prevent urinary tract infections.

Contrary to previous beliefs, cranberry juice is actually safe to consume while taking blood thinning medications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an update to the Medication Guide for warfarin (Coumadin?) that no longer has a warning to avoid cranberries and cranberry products in 2011. There are studies confirming there is no clinically relevant pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic interaction between warfarin and cranberry juice in patients consuming 1-2 servings daily. You can find more information about this at The Cranberry Institute.

Like many people, I don’t exactly “like” the taste of cranberry juice. It’s a bit too tart for my taste, so I generally drink the blends with other fruit juices in it. However, I was provided with some other great tips that will still help you get the benefits of a higher content cranberry juice.

• Mix ? cup of pure cranberry juice (or 1 cup of cranberry cocktail or 100% juice blend) with 1 cup of sparkling lime water. If you prefer a sweeter flavor add a few drops of liquid stevia or substitute a diet lemon-lime soft drink. Serve over ice.
• Mix either ? cup of pure cranberry juice, or 1 cup 100% juice blend or cocktail with 1 cup of iced tea, add a few drops of liquid stevia or honey if you prefer a sweeter flavor. Serve over ice.
• Cranberry Sangria: Simply combine the following ingredients and chill for 4 hours. A bottle (750 ml) of fruity red wine, 4 cups of cranberry juice, 1 cup of orange juice, 1 thinly sliced orange, 1 cored and thinly sliced apple, ? cup of fresh or frozen cranberries. Serve over ice.