Cranberry juice and bowl of cranberries
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Cranberry juice has several benefits for your body, but too much can counteract these beneficial effects. You can purchase 100 percent cranberry juice or cranberry juice co*cktail, which usually contains less than 33 percent actual fruit juice, meaning it may not have the same benefits as 100 percent juice. Enjoy a glass of 100 percent cranberry juice here and there, but don't go overboard by consuming more than the recommended servings.
Suggested Servings
You need a total of 1 1/2 to 2 cups of 1-cup equivalent fruit servings for the entire day, suggests MyPlate.gov. An 8-ounce glass of 100 percent cranberry juice counts toward your daily fruit servings; however, it is possible to consume too much. Having more than the recommended servings can eventually lead to health problems.
Daily Limit
Limit your total cranberry juice consumption to less than 1 liter per day, says Medline Plus. Drinking 1 liter of cranberry juice is equivalent to about 34 ounces or a little more than 4 cups, more than double your fruit servings for the day. If you consume more than 1 liter daily for an extended period of time, you may have an increased risk of kidney stones. Cranberry juice contains a chemical called oxalate that binds with calcium, possibly forming stones in your kidneys when you drink large quantities of cranberry juice. If you have a history of kidney stones, avoid consuming too much cranberry juice by limiting your consumption to two 8-oz. servings or less daily.
Excessive Calories
Reaching or going above the daily limit of cranberry juice can drastically increase the number of calories you consume. An 8-ounce glass of unsweetened 100 percent cranberry juice provides about 115 calories. Drinking the 1 liter daily limit of juice provides as much as 460 calories or more. If you normally follow a 2,000-calorie diet, this equates to nearly 25 percent of your total calories for the day, just from juice. Over time, these added calories can stack up unwanted pounds.
Benefits of Cranberry Juice
Having a glass of cranberry juice each day may be beneficial for your bladder. Cranberry juice may help prevent or treat urinary tract infections by preventing harmful bacteria to sticking to the walls of your bladder, explains MedlinePlus.com. Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, cause pain when you urinate and may make it difficult for you to go to the bathroom. While moderate consumption of cranberry juice may be beneficial for a UTI, you need to see a physician to get an exact diagnosis, since it may need to be treated with antibiotics.
FAQs
An 8-ounce glass of unsweetened 100 percent cranberry juice provides about 115 calories. Drinking the 1 liter daily limit of juice provides as much as 460 calories or more. If you normally follow a 2,000-calorie diet, this equates to nearly 25 percent of your total calories for the day, just from juice.
How much cranberry juice can I drink per day? ›
How much cranberry juice should I drink daily? Although there are no set recommendations on fruit juice, the DGAs recognizes 1 cup of 100% fruit juice as a 1-cup serving of fruit. So, in general, the average adult could consider drinking about 1 cup (8 ounces) of juice per day.
Can you drink too much cranberry juice? ›
Although cranberry juice is safe to consume in moderation, drinking too much can cause side effects such as upset stomach, diarrhea, and blood sugar spikes.
How much cranberry juice should you drink a day for your kidneys? ›
Cranberry juice has been thought to help with kidney stones, but research suggests that it may actually increase kidney stones formation — especially calcium oxalate stones, which are the most common kidney stones. Ideally, you should try to limit your juice intake to around one cup (236 mL) or less per day.
Is it OK to drink 100 pure cranberry juice? ›
Normal serving sizes of cranberry juice are safe and healthy, but overdoing it could cause side effects like: upset stomach. diarrhea. spikes in blood sugar.
Is 2 glasses of cranberry juice a day too much? ›
Cranberry juice contains a chemical called oxalate that binds with calcium, possibly forming stones in your kidneys when you drink large quantities of cranberry juice. If you have a history of kidney stones, avoid consuming too much cranberry juice by limiting your consumption to two 8-oz. servings or less daily.
When should you not drink cranberry juice? ›
Cranberry has relatively high levels of oxalate, chemicals that may raise the risk of kidney stones in some people. If you have kidney stones, talk to your doctor before taking cranberry supplements or drinking a lot of cranberry juice. DO NOT use cranberry if you already have a UTI.
Is ocean spray cranberry juice healthy? ›
"Food and nutrition experts understand that, with its powerful nutrients and well-documented health benefits, the cranberry can play an important role in a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle," said Kellyanne Dignan, Director, Global Corporate Affairs at Ocean Spray.
Are cranberry pills as good as cranberry juice? ›
Studies have pointed out that due to the added sugars and water that dilute the cranberry juice, cranberry capsules are a more effective alternative. In fact, it turns out that the active ingredient in cranberries that helps prevent E. coli from turning into an infection may not even be present in cranberry juice!
What is the maximum amount of cranberry? ›
The recommended daily dose ranges widely, typically 120 to 1600 mg as capsules daily or as 300 to 900 mL of cranberry juice. Cranberry is generally well tolerated without adverse events. With high doses, minor side effects may include diarrhea, abdominal discomfort and nausea.
by Drugs.com
Cranberry may increase the anticoagulant effect from blood thinners like warfarin and lead to bruising or bleeding. If you take an oral blood thinner, check with your doctor before consuming large amounts of cranberry or cranberry juice.
Is cranberry juice a laxative? ›
"Cranberry juice is also a source of a natural sugar called fructose, which can have a mild laxative effect," says Sarah Robbins, MD, gastroenterologist and founder of Well Sunday Health Corporation. A typical serving (8 ounces) will gently help your stool move through your GI tract.
Does cranberry juice clean your liver and kidneys? ›
Another effective cleansing agent for the kidneys is cranberry juice which supports the urinary tract, fights urinary tract infections and removes excess calcium oxalate.
What is the healthiest cranberry juice? ›
Pure, unsweetened cranberry juice is best, a good source of vitamins C and E – both antioxidants. However, it has a naturally intense, acidic taste. It also can be hard to find, and it can be pricey. At the end of the day, it's a personal choice.
What's the difference between 100 cranberry juice and pure cranberry juice? ›
Cranberry juice is usually labeled "100% juice." Other fruits are sometimes added to balance the tart cranberry taste, but that label indicates that the product is made with 100% fruit juices. Cranberry juice co*cktail, meanwhile, has added sugars or high-fructose corn syrup for extra sweetness.
Is cranberry juice good for blood pressure? ›
But there's at least one more change to your diet you can make that can help lower or control your blood pressure. Drink cranberry juice. In a 2012 study, researchers found that drinking cranberry juice regularly can help drop blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) by three points.
How long does it take for cranberry juice to start working? ›
If you can get a high-quality cranberry juice or supplement containing at least 36 mg of proanthocyanidins, it can take effect 4-8 hours after consumption. Do not expect a UTI to go away right after consumption completely. Continue consuming juice/supplements and monitor how your symptoms are being alleviated.
Is ocean spray cranberry juice good for diabetics? ›
Diabetes educators may be hesitant to recommend cranberry juice because of the added sugar and it's potential to increase glucose levels. There are 28 grams (7 teaspoons) of added sugar in one cup of Ocean Spray cranberry juice.
