Health Benefits of Cranberry Juice

Cranberries were once known mainly as tiny, red, sweet, cherry-like fruits. They were named by the Pilgrims for their semblance to crane necks in the position they grew on their shrubs. Now, in recent years, the research on cranberry health benefits has been studied with amazingly positive results. Simply drinking cranberry juice has shown such great health benefits it has set the cranberry apart as a "superfruit".

One of the simple cranberry juice benefits is its ability to reduce harmful bacteria in your mouth. Studies have shown that a glass of cranberry juice helps your teeth stay clean and inhibit bacterial growth on your gums. Cranberry juice shows great potential as a natural plaque preventative.

Another cranberry juice benefit most of us know about is how helpful cranberries are in combating urinary tract infections. The cranberry juice benefits come mostly from its high levels of oligomeric proanthocyanidins minerals, which help flush out the urinary tract of the harmful E. coli bacteria which cause the painful infection. These minerals in cranberry juice have also shown to be powerful antioxidants, and contain great anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties as well.

Cranberry juice benefits don't end there. Cranberries also contain very elevated levels of a naturally occurring mineral very good for the human body. Phytochemicals are yet another powerful antioxidant in the cranberry fruit. The phytochemical in cranberry juice has proven to irritate and destroy breast cancer cells, and also slow down the aging process significantly.

One more gem on the long list of cranberry juice benefits is its ability to destroy the Helicobacter pylori bacteria. This bacterium is responsible for weakening the protective mucous coating of the stomach wall and resulting in painful stomach ulcers. In untreated cases it can potentially lead to cancer. That's a big reason to drink up!

Cranberry juice benefits can all be attributed to the same thing: the inhospitable environment cranberry juice leaves behind for bacteria. The acidity in cranberry juice creates an anti-adhesive quality that does not allow invading organisms to attach themselves to any part of your body. Instead, cranberry juice encourages the flushing out of these intruders. This does not allow harmful germs to collect and cause worsening conditions.

It is now being studied how cranberry juice benefits can extend to the prevention of kidney stones. Thanks to the anti-adhesive properties in cranberries and the extra liquid from ingesting them in liquid form, experts are saying cranberry juice can aid in canceling out the formation of kidney stones.

Cranberry juice benefits are almost completely lost if what you choose to buy is the sugary version sold in most stores. To reap the maximum cranberry juice benefits, organic or home-made work best. Organic cranberry juice can be found at most health or natural food stores. Most higher-end supermarkets are stocking their shelves with this kind of cranberry juice nowadays, too, as the research keeps showing the vast numbers of cranberry juice benefits!

To reap maximum cranberry juice benefits, drink a few 16 oz. glasses a day. Substituting 3 of your 8 glasses (or more!) of water with this healthy beverage can work wonders for your health.

Sources:
www.cranberryjuice.com