Does Cranberry Juice Lower Cholesterol?
Cranberry juice is rich in antioxidants, which can help prevent heart disease and cancer. It may also help lower cholesterol levels.
Contents
How Cranberry Juice Can Help Lower Cholesterol?
In a randomized clinical trial of 44 people with high cholesterol levels, researchers found that drinking 8 ounces (240 ml) of cranberry juice daily for 12 weeks lowered LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels by 6%.
The researchers also found that urinary excretion of hippuric acid — a marker for gut bacteria metabolism — was lower in the cranberry juice group than in the placebo group.
Another study found that drinking three cups of cranberry juice daily for two months reduced total cholesterol by 7.6% and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by 8.3%.
Cranberry juice has been around for centuries, and in recent years, research has shown that it can help to lower cholesterol. Some of this research has been done on animals, but some human evidence suggests it can help lower cholesterol levels.
Cranberry juice is high in antioxidants and other nutrients that can help to fight against free radicals. These free radicals damage the cells in our bodies and raise the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and other health problems.
The antioxidants found in cranberries also help to protect blood vessels from damage caused by free radicals. This makes them less likely to become blocked or damaged by fats and cholesterol.
The Benefits Of Cranberry Juice For Cholesterol
The benefits of cranberry juice for cholesterol are:
- Helps reduce cholesterol levels. The antioxidants in cranberry juice help prevent LDL (“bad”) cholesterol from becoming oxidized or rancid. This prevents it from sticking to the artery walls and forming plaque. In addition, the fruit’s high fiber content helps lower LDL levels.
- It can help control blood pressure. The potassium found in cranberry juice helps relax blood vessels and increase blood flow, which may help lower blood pressure.
- May protect against cancer. Cranberries contain anthocyanins, which may have anti-cancer properties and prevent tumor growth by inhibiting an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX) -1 and COX-2.
The Best Ways To Include Cranberry Juice In Your Diet
Having Cranberry juice is a great way to get more of this superfood into your diet, but it’s not the only way to do so. In fact, there are plenty of different ways you can get more cranberries into your diet.
Here are some of the best ways to include cranberry juice in your diet:
📌Add fresh or frozen cranberries to salads and smoothies for an extra burst of flavor and nutrients.
📌Add chopped dried cranberries or raisins to oatmeal, granola, or yogurt for an extra sweet treat.
📌Make homemade cranberry sauce with fresh or frozen berries; add some lemon juice and sugar if needed for sweetness. Or use canned whole berries (packed in water) and add extra water during cooking time if needed; strain out excess liquid before serving.
How To Make Sure You’re Getting The Most Out Of Your Cranberry Juice
If you want to get the most out of your cranberry juice, you should know a few things.
First, you must find cranberry juice with no added sugars or artificial sweeteners. These will be listed on the nutrition facts label — just look for “sugar” or “high fructose corn syrup” as an ingredient.
Second, make sure it’s unsweetened and unflavored. The only thing you want in there is cranberry juice! If you can’t find this kind of juice, try adding some lemon or lime juice to the water. It’ll give it some flavor without adding extra sugar or sodium.
Third, drink it at room temperature if possible — hot liquids can damage tooth enamel and cause mouth ulcers. It’s also important not to drink too much at once because this can irritate your stomach and make diarrhea more likely (which defeats the purpose of drinking it in the first place!). Limit yourself to one 8-ounce glass daily, and take it with food if possible (this will help prevent stomach upset).
What To Look For In A Cranberry Juice Product
Here are some tips for choosing the right cranberry juice product:
Look for organic varieties. Organic cranberry juice products contain only natural ingredients and don’t contain any pesticides or chemicals. In addition, they’re less likely to contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs) than non-organic options.
Choose unsweetened varieties with natural sweeteners like stevia instead of refined sugars such as high fructose corn syrup or sucrose syrup. These healthier sweeteners may help prevent tooth decay and cavities over time because bacteria don’t metabolize them in the mouth as sugar does.
