A recent peer-reviewed study, published in Nutrition Research, shows cranberry juice drinkers had lower than normal levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, and better overall heart health. The findings bolster the broader scientific literature that’s setting cranberry juice apart as a great tasting beverage that can provide whole body benefits and be part of a healthy diet.
Using the CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data for US adults (aged 19 and older), researchers compared consumers who drink an average of about two servings of cranberry juice per day – roughly 14 fluid ounces – over two non-consecutive days with those who do not. They pooled four years’ of data to determine if there were differences between groups. Turns out that regular cranberry juice consumers did not have higher body weight or even an increased likelihood for becoming overweight. Nor did cranberry juice drinkers consume more calories than those who didn’t drink cranberry juice.
While many in the healthy living community advocate for limiting added sugars, this study positions cranberry juice as an exception to the rule and reinforce previous findings that point to cardiovascular health benefits from cranberry juice, while also underscoring a link between cranberry juice consumption and total health.
“Cranberry beverages may be inappropriately associated with contributing to increased weight or diabetes risk,” said Kiyah J. Duffey, Ph.D., Virginia Tech, first author on the paper. “In actuality, mounting evidence suggests quite the opposite. Packed with polyphenols, like flavonoids, cranberry juice may contribute to improved cardiovascular health.”
Excerpted from Business Wire article “Cranberry Juice Scores High Marks in Heart Health”
