Many people are coping with diabetes and due to this problem, they have to be very conscious about their diet. They have to limit sugary beverages and other foods that are high in sugar content. People are suggested to eat fruits with low sugar and now, people are asking whether cranberry juice is good for diabetic patients or not. In today’s blog, we’ll talk about cranberry fruit, its possible health benefits and who should avoid drinking this juice. Let’s dive right in:

What is Cranberry Juice Good for?

Cranberries are small red berries related to bilberries, blueberries, and lingonberries, among others. They are sour and a bit sweet in taste. It is known as a superfood cranberry because it has a rich nutritional profile. Because of its nutritional value, it has various health benefits that improve overall health. It is good for improving stomach health, preventing infection, boosting the immune system, and improving heart health.

Is Cranberry Juice Good for People with Diabetes?

Cranberry is considered low GI food that helps improve insulin sensitivity, that’s why cranberry is good for diabetic patients. It doesn’t increase blood sugar levels. In addition to this, it contains fibre that helps in slowing down the glucose breakage from the food. As a result, glucose releases into the bloodstream and controls the blood sugar levels. If you want to control your blood sugar levels, then opting for unsweetened cranberry would be the best option as it is low in carb content and high in polyphenols. Hence, cranberry juice or raw cranberry fruits are good for diabetic patients, especially unsweetened ones. However, keep one thing in mind sugar in cranberry juice can be up to 12 grams, which is not recommended for people with diabetes, so it is recommended to consume dried cranberries.

Cranberry Juice Benefits

Antioxidants present in cranberries are Vitamin C, flavonoid, polyphenol, peonidin, myricetin, ursolic acid, quercetin, and A-type proanthocyanidins. It is packed with fibre that includes cellulose, pectin, and hemicellulose and water that boosts overall health. The following are some benefits of consuming cranberry juice:

• Cranberry good for heart health
  Cranberries have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that support heart health in different ways. It can reduce bad cholesterol LDL and boost good cholesterol HDL in the body. Regular consumption of cranberry juice can boost the production of HDL. Additionally, it controls blood pressure and minimizes inflammation in the blood vessels. It keeps the blood flow smooth by preventing vessels from homocysteine and maintains good blood flow.

• Cranberry good for diabetes
  Unsweetened cranberries are a good option for diabetic patients to control blood sugar levels. However, it is suggested to consume dried cranberries if you have diabetes because cranberry juice sugar content can be up to 12 grams, so it is advisable to avoid consuming cranberry juice.

• Cranberry juice without sugar for UTI

  Cranberry juice without sugar can prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Usually, urinary tract infection is caused because of E.Coli bacteria that badly impact the bladder wall. Women are vulnerable to suffering from urinary tract infections. Eating cranberries or drinking cranberry juice can reduce the risk of UTIs. The presence of one compound named A-type proanthocyanidins is helpful in preventing UTIs.

• Prevent stomach cancer and gastric ulcers

  The presence of A-type proanthocyanidins in cranberries can help to prevent stomach cancer and gastric ulcers. The reason behind stomach cancer is due to H.pylori bacteria that start growing on the stomach walls. According to some studies, eating cranberries or drinking cranberry juice can reduce the risk of stomach ulcers and cancer.

• Cranberry juice good for digestive health

  Cranberries are helpful in boosting the growth of good bacteria in the gut. This fruit is rich in fibre that consists of insoluble fibres like cellulose, pectin, and hemicellulose. These insoluble fibres boost the overall health of the digestive system by improving bowel movements.

Cranberry Juice Side Effects

As mentioned above, a raw consumption of cranberries or unsweetened cranberry juice is a good method to enjoy this superfood, but this fruit has some side effects as well. There are some cases where it is advisable not to consume cranberries. Such cases are:

• If you are consuming cranberries in excess, then they can have a bad impact on your gut health. It can lead to diarrhea and cause an upset stomach.

• If you have kidney stones, then it is advisable not to eat cranberries or drink cranberry juice as it can cause a worse situation.

• Some people are allergic to certain acids. Cranberries contain salicylic acid that can cause allergies like runny nose, skin rashes or itching.

How Cranberry Juice is Made at Home?

Ingredients: 2 cups of cranberries (frozen or fresh), 2 cups fresh water, 1 or 1/2 tbs lemon juice, and a few drops of honey.

Instructions:

• Put cranberries and pour water into the blender and blend them well until the solid pieces of cranberries disappear.

• Now, strain the juice through a cheesecloth or a fine mesh sieve.

• Add lemon juice and sweetener, if you want. You can also make it unsweetened.

Conclusion

The blog shares some amazing facts about cranberries. If you were curious to know how much sugar is in cranberry juice and whether it is good for you or not, we hope you got your answer from this blog. You can keep yourself updated with such blogs by subscribing to Personal Care N Heal.