We live in a society that is becoming increasingly more health conscious, which is great, but what can we do to be healthier? We’re seeking out information and knowledge to better ourselves, actively asking what can we do to be healthy? What activities will help us get fitter? What should we eat to stay in shape? What should we drink to give us the nutritional goodness we need? So with this in mind, I’ve teamed up with Ocean Spray cranberry, (who make, in my opinion, the best cranberry juice available) to share the benefits from drinking cranberry juice, to aid good health.

The goodness in cranberries

Not only does cranberry juice taste amazing, (especially when it is chilled) it also has a whole host of health benefits due to all the naturally occurring ingredients it contains. Below is a list of what they contain. 

  • Vitamin C
  • Salicylic acid
  • Calcium
  • Magnesium
  • Iron
  • Phosphorus
  • Potassium
  • Sodium
  • Zinc
  • Vitamin B (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin E)
  • Vitamin A, folate, vitamin K (phylloquinone)

Cranberries contain five times the antioxidant content of broccoli, I know which I’d rather drink! 

1. Urinary tract health 

I think this is what I first discovered about cranberries many years ago! But it does help to get rid of bacterial infection. You’ll have probably heard that cranberries are good for urinary tract infections (UTIs)? Well, it’s true! Essentially the polyphenols in the cranberries stop bacteria sticking, which helps with urinary tract health.

2. Hair and skin 

Cranberry juice benefits the body internally and externally. Those antioxidants I mentioned that aid healthy urinary tract, also slow down the ageing process, including wrinkles and fine lines. Collagen is the key to younger skin, and cranberries contain hydroxylysine, amino acid and hydroxyproline, which help create this. 

3. Heart health benefits

Cranberries contain polyphenols, which is a micronutrient found in various plant-based foods which helps prevent cellular damage. It is these same polyphenols which help circulation, improve blood pressure and general cardiovascular health. 

4. Digestive goodness 

Very much like how cranberries help with urinary tract health, the same applies to digestive and oral health. The polyphenols once again help reduce bacteria in the mouth and stomach. 

The health benefits of Ocean Spray cranberry juice

I’ve just told you all the fantastic health benefits of cranberry juice is – are you convinced yet by this superfruit? Ocean Spray Cranberry juices are free from artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives. One 200ml glass of Ocean Spray juice a day provides you with 60% of your recommended daily dose of vitamin c. 

For the Ocean Spray cranberry juice there is the original or there is the light option. The light option has no added sugar and is only 12 calories per 150ml glass. 

p.s for those of you like to read my plastic-free and eco-friendly content, you’ll be pleased to know you can now buy recyclable PET bottles (1 litre, RRP £2.19 in chilled cabinets of Sainsbury’s, Asda and Waitrose).