While you may be used to eating cranberries during Thanksgiving as a sauce or dried and added to a salad, cranberry juice is also popular.
These tart fruits are packed with vitamins, fibre, and antioxidants, and their juice is often said to provide a number of advantages for women in particular.
In reality, many individuals claim that cranberry juice aids in the treatment or prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Despite conflicting scientific findings, some research indicates that cranberry juice is useful for this purpose and could even have additional advantages for the health of women.
Cranberry juice advantages for women’s health
There are several rumours suggesting that cranberry juice might enhance sex life by altering the taste of vaginal fluids.
Even though these assertions lack scientific support, some data shows that cranberry juice may benefit postmenopausal health, PMS symptoms, and ageing indications.
1. Support Sexual wellness
According to some reports, cranberry juice may enhance the taste of vaginal fluids, leading to better sexual encounters.
Although one research mentions food as one of several variables that affect the microbiota of the vagina, there is no proof to back up the idea that cranberry juice might enhance vaginal flavour.
So it’s improbable that consuming cranberry juice can improve your sexual life.
health after menopause
Menstruation stops at menopause. In addition to mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and a higher risk of UTIs, it also brings with it a number of hormonal changes.
It’s interesting to note that cranberry juice may promote postmenopausal health according to animal research.
Regular consumption of cranberries decreased total cholesterol and other heart-healthy indicators, according to previous research on rats that had their ovaries removed. The removal of the rats’ ovaries mimics the decline in hormones that occurs in people following menopause. However, human studies are required.
2. May help maintain youth and boost immunity.
Cranberries are exceptionally rich in antioxidants, which are potent substances that aid in your body’s ability to combat unstable molecules known as free radicals. Vitamin C, quercetin, flavonoids, and anthocyanins are a few of the antioxidants found in these berries.
Although some antioxidants may be lost during the juicing process, cranberry juice still contains a significant amount of these substances. In actuality, cranberry juice offers more than 78% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin C in only 1 cup (240 mL).
This vitamin supports healthy immunological function and appropriate collagen creation, which may improve skin suppleness and lessen ageing symptoms.
According to several, vitamin C helps women’s heart health by preventing the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol, which may result in artery blockages.
To understand the connection between vitamin C and heart health, further study is necessary since studies have shown contradictory findings.
In addition, research in test tubes suggests that quercetin may help prevent pancreatic, breast, and colon cancer, although human data are sparse in this area.
Source: Blumberg JB, et al. (2013). “Cranberries and Their Bioactive Constituents in Human Health.” Advances in Nutrition.
Might lessen PMS symptoms and stop osteoporosis
A cup of cranberry juice provides 4% of the daily value (DV) for magnesium (240 mL).
This mineral, which many individuals don’t consume enough of, is necessary for numerous bodily functions, including strong bones and effective muscles. Muscle cramps may be caused by a deficit.
Increasing your magnesium intake may improve muscular contraction, which may lessen discomfort. Therefore, it is believed that this mineral might lessen PMS symptoms, such as cramping.
Magnesium is also important for controlling bone density. After menopause, when estrogen’s protective effects on bones begin to diminish, women are more likely to develop osteoporosis or lose bone density in later life.
Magnesium might thus assist to treat this issue.
Along with the worry, melancholy, lower back discomfort, and breast tenderness, PMS may also cause these other symptoms. A prior study found that giving women magnesium supplements significantly reduced these symptoms.
The magnesium content in this study was, however, far more than what you’d receive from drinking cranberry juice. As a result, a further detailed study is required on cranberry juice.
3. Supports Urinary Tract Health UTIs, or urinary tract infections
Does cranberry juice guard against UTIs, or urinary tract infections?
Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins (PACs), which help prevent bacteria (especially E. coli) from adhering to the urinary tract lining. By reducing the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), cranberry juice can promote more comfortable and confident sexual activity, particularly in women, who are more prone to UTIs after sex.
Evidence: A 2012 meta-analysis in Archives of Internal Medicine found that cranberry products significantly reduce the incidence of UTIs, especially in women with recurrent infections.
Long used as a common folk treatment for preventing or treating urinary tract infections, cranberry drinks and supplements (UTIs). When germs like E. coli enter and flourish in your kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra, you get this disorder.
Due to their anatomy, women who have vagina are more susceptible to these illnesses. Pregnancy and sexual activity both raise your risk.
A burning, painful feeling while peeing is one of the more minor UTI symptoms, but an untreated UTI may have major side effects including a kidney infection.
Antibiotics are the most typical therapy for a UTI, but they may have long-term negative effects and may also destroy some of the beneficial bacteria in your stomach.
As a result, many individuals are concerned with stopping these diseases before they start.
A form of tannin called proanthocyanidins, which is present in cranberries, prevents germs like E. coli from sticking to the wall of your urinary system. In turn, this could aid in preventing germs from multiplying and causing illness.
Although there is conflicting research about cranberries and UTI prevention, studies generally point to a modest association between cranberries or cranberry juice and UTI prevention.
But there is no proof that cranberry juice may cure UTIs. You should see your doctor if you believe you already have an infection.
What dosage of cranberry juice is recommended?
The amount of cranberry juice that prevents UTIs or has other possible health advantages is not well understood. The doses for supplements will probably vary since the same is true.
A review on dosage variations for UTI prevention.
One trial, for instance, had participants drink 0.23 ounces (6.8 mL) of Ocean Spray cranberry juice for every pound (15 mL for every kilogramme) of body weight. In another trial, participants consumed NOW beetroot capsules once a day that included 8 grammes of cranberry extract.
Never take more cranberry tablets than what is recommended on the package if you take them.
Consult a physician or certified dietitian if you want to know the precise quantity of juice to consume or if you need a certain dose (RD).
Do cranberry juice’s drawbacks exist?
Because cranberry juice is naturally fairly tart, the biggest drawback of cranberry juice is that store-bought mixes sometimes include other juices or add a lot of sugar to make the beverage more palatable.
As a result, you should stay away from any cranberry juice blends that aren’t 100% juice, have sugar added, or have another juice as their first component.
The easiest and healthiest choice is pure, unsweetened cranberry juice. It could be costly even so.
Supplements made of cranberries are also available; they are more potent than juice. While more of these can seem to be more efficient, more doesn’t always equal more or more quickly.
The effects of the blood thinner warfarin may be enhanced by high dosages of cranberry extract. You must consult your doctor before beginning any new supplement, even if you don’t use this drug.
Conclusion:
There is no ruth to the rumours that cranberry juice enhances the vaginal taste.
Nevertheless, this drink contains magnesium, vitamin C, and a number of antioxidants. There is evidence that these nutrients may improve women’s bone density, reduce PMS symptoms, and increase immunological function.
Though there are conflicting research findings, cranberry juice could potentially help prevent UTIs. Therefore, these are the key facts concerning cranberries.