Unsweetened Cranberry Juice

Cranberry is the cousin of blueberry and bilberry, relatively small, grows as a wild shrub and when cultivated it grows on low trailing vines in northern United States, parts of southern Canada and other regions in the world. Cranberry is a real gift of nature. These are marketed as super fruits in Canada and in some parts of the United States because of their numerous health benefits. These tangy berries can be relished as a savory dish and also as unsweetened cranberry juice.

This juice diet has many nutritional facts and benefits associated with it. The juice is a rich source of vitamins, especially vitamin C, and other dietary fibers. Also, it has copious repository of calcium, sodium, phosphorous, potassium, vitamin A, beta-carotene and manganese. Proanthocyanidin is an essential and active constituent of cranberry. It acts as an antioxidant which reduces the bacterial bond with epithelial cells of the bladder. The juice has now become a natural remedy for all these problems. Even the powdered form of cranberry extract is used for the treatments. Earlier, the juice was believed to increase the acid level in the urine, but the studies have shown no signs of increasing acidity rather it stops certain bacteria to grow in bladder and along the uterus walls.

Health Benefits

• Proanthocyanidins present in the juice stops the bacteria to group together and attack the urinary tract and bladder. The juice also contains a good amount of compound called hippuric acid which performs the function of natural antibiotic. It prevents the attack of cystitis and urinary tract infection (UTI).
• The presence of antioxidants help to repair the impairments caused by free radicals. Intake of the juice reduces the bad cholesterol. The credit for these benefits of the juice goes to polyphenol present in the juice.
• The presence of proanthocyanidins also prevents cancer by inhibiting the growth of cancerous cells. The studies have also proved that proanthocyanidin stops the growth of micro-tumors in the blood vessels. It also prevents breast cancer.
• The juice contains certain chemicals that inhibit bacterial growth in mouth that cause plaque and fights against cold and sore throat.
• It also prevents Haemophilus influenza which causes respiratory and ear infection in children. Regular cranberry juice destroys H. pylori bacteria that is responsible for ulcer and cancer.
• Also, acidic component of juice prevents stone formation in kidney.

Amount of Calories

This juice is a fat flushing diet as it cleans the toxic material and hence clears your system. It has a substantial amount of organic acid to emulsify fat deposits in the body. The chart below provides the nutritional facts as per the serving sizes.

Serving Size	Calories
1 oz	11
1 fl oz	15
100 gm	46
1 cup (250gm)	130

After getting an idea of the calories let's have a look at the following chart with the breakup of the nutrients in one cup (250 gm) of unsweetened juice.

Nutrition Summary (250 gm)
Calories	130
Fats	0.1 g
Cholesterol	0 g
Sodium	3 g
Carbohydrates	31.9 g
Dietary Fiber	0.5 g
Sugar	31.4 g
Protein	1.0 g
Vitamin A	1%
Vitamin C	50%
Calcium	3%
Iron	4%

The juice concentrate is a purer form and carries more 'punch'. To overcome the tartness and to add natural sweetness to the concentrated juice, add a tablespoon of honey. Cranberry has many benefits still, it is not a replacement of medicines. So, don't rely on this juice for curing the disease completely, better consult a doctor. Also, excess of everything is bad and excessive intake of the juice might upset the stomach and can be a cause of diarrhea.

All these benefits crown cranberries as a super fruit. Isn't it a good reason for you to try unsweetened cranberry juice if you have never tasted and have a good experience of it.