Ocean Spray Cranergy Energy Juice Drink, Raspberry Cranberry Lift Flavor: Review

Earlier this year, I was having a major problem with my energy levels. To be blunt about it, I was dragging my behind and couldn't get enough rest to make a difference. My sweet mother came home with Raspberry Cranberry Life flavor of Cranergy™, an energy juice drink by Ocean Spray hoping it would help me. She found it at Wal-Mart for $2.98 for a 46 fluid ounces bottle. Before she brought it home, mama called Ocean Spray to make sure it is gluten free. The Ocean Spray folks on the telephone said all their products were gluten free. That's good to know.

I need gluten free food because I have Celiac Disease, which is a major hassle at times. It would be great if more main stream companies would go ahead and put the words "gluten free" on the label. In case you are wondering, gluten is found in wheat, barley and rye. Those of us with Celiac Disease or just are gluten intolerant must not eat gluten at all if we are to remain healthy. To learn more about Celiac Disease go to AC product Barbara Lee Norris' article "Celiac Disease Diagnosis: Gluten-Free Living."

The label has all kinds of signage that promotes the idea that if you drink Cranergy™ you will feel more energized. Above the photo of cranberries are the words "Natural Energy." Then there is the subtitle "Energy Juice Drink." The blurb on the back states "Hi, we're Ocean Spray cranberry growers, and like you, we need a little help to get us through our busy day. So, we created Cranergy™ - a delicious and naturally energizing juice drink! We took our tasty cranberry juice and enhanced it with natural green tea plus B vitamins to give you that little lift you need without all the sugar and calories you don't"

So with all that signage I got the image that this drink would be the liquid equivalent of Popeye's spinach. Not so, I'm sorry to say. I like the way it tastes, which is in my mother's words "is like watered down cranberry juice," but it didn't give me any extra pep in my step. I drank it for a couple of months to make sure I gave it a fair trial. Okay, fine I kept drinking because I liked the way it tasted and it was barely over ½ a carb, which is unusual for fruit juices and drinks.

Bottom line: I can't recommend Cranergy™ for its intended use as an energy juice drink, but I think it tastes good.

Nutrition Information:
Serving size is 8 fluid ounces and there 6 servings per container.
Calories: 35, 0 calories from fat; total fat 0g; sodium 50 mg, total carbohydrate 9g and protein 0g.

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Grape Juice from Concentrate, Cranberry Juice from Concentrate, Raspberry Juice from Concentrate, Malic Acid, Green Tea Extract, Natural Flavors, Sodium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Pectin, Sucralose (Splenda® Brand), Maltodextrain, Red 40 (color), Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B12.

Manufactured and distributed by: Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., A Grower Cooperative, Lakeville-Middleboro, Massachusetts 02349 USA. 1-800-662-3263.
www.oceanspray.com

To read other AC reviews of gluten free food by Genie Walker, click on the title(s) below:
Bearitos' Taco Shells: aka Little Bear Taco Shells
Veggie Shreds by Galaxy Nutritional Foods
GF Pancake Mix by Bob's Red Mill
College Farm Organic Hard Candy
Pamela's Classic Vanilla Cake Mix & Dark Chocolate Frosting Mix
Lara's Rolled Oats from Château Cream Hill Estates
Apple Snapz's Crunchy Apple Chips
YC's Chocolate Milk with Orange Bits
Glutino's Blueberry Gluten Free Breakfast Bars
Wylde Pretzels
Mrs. May's Cashew Crunch

To read articles and see a video concerning the gluten free lifestyle by Genie Walker, click on the title below:
Gluten Free Lifestyle: An Introduction (Video)
An Open Letter to Main Stream Food Companies: Concerning Gluten Free Labels