While you might be accustomed 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, fiber, and antioxidants, and their juice is frequently claimed to have a number of advantages for women in particular.
In reality, many individuals assert that cranberry juice aids in the treatment or prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Despite conflicting scientific findings, some research implies that cranberry juice is useful for this purpose and might even have additional advantages for the health of women.
The impact of cranberry juice on women’s health is examined in this article.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ There is no truth to the rumors that cranberry juice enhances the vaginal flavor.
✅ 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 boost immunological function.
✅ Though there are conflicting scientific findings, cranberry juice might potentially help prevent UTIs.
Cranberry juice advantages for women’s health
There are numerous rumors suggesting that cranberry juice might enhance sex lives by altering the taste of vaginal fluids. Even though these assertions lack scientific support, some data suggest that cranberry juice may benefit postmenopausal health, PMS symptoms, and aging indications.
Sexual wellness
According to some reports, cranberry juice may enhance the flavor of vaginal fluids, leading to better sexual experiences. Although one study mentions food as one of several variables that affect the microbiome of the vagina, there is no proof to back up the idea that cranberry juice might enhance the vaginal taste. So it’s improbable that consuming cranberry juice can improve your sexual life.
Health following menopause
Menstruation stops during 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 an older study on rats that had their ovaries removed. The removal of the rats’ ovaries mimics the female body’s post-menopausal hormonal decline. However, human studies are required.
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 sizable amount of these substances. In actuality, cranberry juice offers more than 78% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin C in just 1 cup (240 mL).
This vitamin supports healthy immunological function and appropriate collagen creation, which may improve skin suppleness and lessen aging symptoms. According to research, vitamin C helps women’s heart health by preventing the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol, which can result in artery blockages.
To understand the connection between vitamin C and heart health, more study is necessary because studies have found contradictory results. In addition, research in test tubes suggests that quercetin may help prevent pancreatic, breast, and colon cancer, but human data are sparse in this area.
Could lessen PMS signs 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 receive enough of, is necessary for a variety of bodily functions, including strong bones and effective muscles. Muscle cramps may be caused by a deficit.
Increasing your magnesium intake may improve muscle contraction, which will lessen discomfort. Therefore, it is believed that this mineral can lessen PMS symptoms, such as cramping. Magnesium is also important for controlling bone density.
Later in life, particularly after menopause when estrogen’s protective effects on bones begin to diminish, women are more susceptible to osteoporosis, also known as bone density loss. Magnesium could therefore help to treat this issue.
Along with worry, melancholy, lower back discomfort, and breast tenderness, PMS can also cause these other symptoms. When women took magnesium supplements, one earlier study found that these symptoms were significantly reduced. The magnesium content in this study was, however, much more than what you’d get from drinking cranberry juice.
As a result, further detailed research is required on cranberry juice.
Will cranberry juice shield me from UTIs?
Long used as a common folk treatment for preventing or treating urinary tract infections, cranberry drinks, and supplements (UTIs).
This disorder develops when E. coli bacteria get inside your urinary tract, which includes your ureters, bladder, urethra, and kidneys, and starts to multiply there.
Due to their anatomy, women who have vaginas are more susceptible to these illnesses. Pregnancy and sexual activity both raise your risk.
A burning, painful sensation when peeing is one of the more minor UTI symptoms, but an untreated UTI can have major side effects like a kidney infection.
Antibiotics are the most popular form of treatment for a UTI, but they may have long-term negative effects and destroy some of the beneficial bacteria in your stomach.
As a result, many people are concerned with stopping these diseases before they start.
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 dosages for supplements will probably vary because 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 kilogram) of body weight. In another trial, participants consumed NOW beetroot capsules once a day that contained 8 grams of cranberry extract.
Never take more cranberry tablets than what is recommended on the label 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 require a certain dosage (RD).
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 might assist in preventing bacteria from multiplying and causing infection.
While there is conflicting research about cranberries and UTI prevention, studies generally point to a moderate correlation 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’s the downside of drinking cranberry juice?
Because cranberry juice is naturally fairly tart, the biggest drawback of cranberry juice is that store-bought mixes frequently 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 might be costly even so.
Supplements made of cranberries are also available; they are more potent than juice. While more of these can appear 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. Even if you don’t use this drug, you must consult your physician before beginning any new supplement.