Cranberries are shrubs from genus Vaccinium and family Ericaceae with, evergreen dwarf shrubs or trailing vines .Cranberry juice is the juice obtained from the cranberry. The taste varies from sweet crisp to mild depending on whether it has been sweetened with sucra or used on its own. Below are the various health benefits of cranberry juice.
Health Benefit 1: Fights UTI
Urinary tract infections (UTI) results from micro-organisms that inhabit the urinary tract. These micro-organisms develop in the bladder leading to cause cystitis before invading the kidneys to cause and cause renal parenchyma. Cranberry juice is rich in a compound known as proanthocyanidins. This compound hinders bacteria from binding itself on the bladder walls. It also aids in stopping the bacteria from multiplying, thereby ensuring that the bacteria is flushed out during urination.
Health Benefit 2: Fights Tumor
Cranberry juice contains compounds known as polyphenolics which fight cancer. The compounds prevent the development as well as the spread of lung, breast, and breast among other types of cancers.Cranberry juice is also rich in an acid known as salicylic acid which can aid in lowering swelling, combats formation of blood clots as well as growth of tumors.
Health benefit 3: Cardiovascular Health
The flavonoids in cranberry juice are crucial in the fight against cardiovascular diseases. This is blower the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. This disease causes narrowing of arteries owing to build-up of fat, calcium and bad cholesterol in the said blood vessels. The resultant obstruction is potentially dangerous as it leads to heart attacks and strokes to their victims. Flavonoids bring about delay in the oxidation of the bad fats, also known as low density Lipoprotein (LDL)
Health Benefit 4: Wards off Tooth Decay
Research has shown that a chemical compound present in cranberry juice known asProanthocyanidine blocks the harmful bacteria from binding itself to the teeth. As a result, periodontal disease which comes about due to plaque formation is stopped. Cranberry juice also stops pathogenic mechanism of dental caries hence plays an important role in maintaining desirable dental health.
Health Benefit 5: Prevents Respiratory Infections
Cranberry juice is useful in suppressing some strains of Haemophilus influenza, which causes ear and respiratory infections in children. It works by stopping the bacteria’s hair-like structures from clinging to the skin surface.
Health benefit 6: Cures Cold and Sore Throat
If you are suffering from an obnoxious attack from common cold and sore throat, you need fresh cranberry juice to combat the infections.
Health Benefit 7: Weight Management
The obese and generally overweight people need to take cranberry juice so as to get rid of the unwanted kilos. The juice works by emulsifying fat deposits owing to its organic acids.
Health benefit 8: Prevents Kidney Stones
Due to the presence of acid in cranberry juice, kidney stone formation is hindered.
Health Benefit 9: Fights Peptic Ulcers
Cranberry juice is important in suppressing peptic ulcers caused by a certain bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori or H.pylori. The bacteria inflame the protective layer of both the stomach and the duodenum. The anthocyanins, Flavonols and proanthocyanidins in cranberry juice hinder the growth of the bacteria.
Health benefit 10: Combats Scurvy
Cranberry juice is rich in Vitamin C, useful in combating deficiency diseases such as scurvy. This vitamin assists the body to make collagen, the main component needed for healthy tissues.
Image Credit : Stuart Webster from Southampton, England Via Creative Commons
