Berries for the Body: Cranberry Juice

Cranberries are bright red, delicious berries that should be a healthy part of our daily diets. Packed with essential vitamins and antioxidants that can help to protect the body from many serious health issues whilst helping us to feel and look our best, cranberries can work wonders. You can make jams, spreads, dips, and fruit bowls with cranberries, but the fan favourite is cranberry juice! Cranberry juice has a variety of benefits, from improving the appearance of skin and hair to improving heart health and boosting our immune system.

To enjoy the full benefits of cranberry juice, it is important to read product labels. Try to select juices that are healthy and don’t have levels of added sugar and additives, so that you can enjoy a higher cranberry content.

Cranberry Juice Benefits:

1. Prevent UTIs
   Most of us have heard that cranberries are the key to preventing UTIs. Some studies have concluded that cranberries are important for preventing infections, especially in women. This is because cranberries contain Proanthocyanidins (PACS) that can prevent bacteria from growing and attaching to the bladder wall, which is believed to reduce the risk of developing UTIs.
   However, it is important to note that current research has come to mixed opinions about the effectiveness of cranberry juice, as other researchers have found that there isn’t enough evidence to prove this connection. With this in mind, it wouldn’t do any harm to incorporate cranberry juice into your diet as it can provide the body with many healthy minerals and vitamins that look after the body.

2. Improves the Appearance of Skin & Acne
   Cranberries are a great source of Vitamin C, which is a star skincare ingredient that is loved by dermatologists and skincare enthusiasts. Vitamin C is a highly praised skincare ingredient as it helps to brighten your skin and defend against UV sun damage. For those suffering from acne, Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory effects that can help to fight against acne and reduce the risk of skin scarring, whiteheads, and further breakouts.

3. Improves Heart Health
   Cranberries are high in chemicals called polyphenols that can improve overall heart health. We can benefit from these chemicals found in cranberries in many ways, as they aid the body’s ability to improve cholesterol levels, reduce blood sugar levels, and lower blood pressure.

4. A Better Nights Sleep
   For those of us who struggle to sleep, cranberry juice might be something you can add to your evening routine. This is because cranberry juice is enriched with melatonin. Melatonin is known as a “sleep hormone” and when this chemical is released in the body, it can naturally improve your quality of sleep and help you to feel more refreshed in the morning.

5. Source of Vitamins & Antioxidants
   Cranberry juice is an important source of Vitamins A, C & E. These are powerful in keeping the inside and outside of our body healthy. These antioxidants help to protect the body from cell damage and skin damage caused by free radicals.
   Vitamin A is great for promoting healthy hair and hair growth. Regular intake of Vitamin A can help hair to appear fuller, healthier, and shinier.
   Vitamin C is a widely talked about antioxidant, and for good reason. Vitamin C has a variety of benefits from preventing free radical damage in the body to boosting the immune system and helping the body to produce collagen and iron.
   Vitamin E is also important for maintaining good heart health, and blood vessels and improving the appearance of our skin and nails.