Is Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Too Sweet
Many people are concerned that the cranberry juice in Ocean Spray can be too sweet. However, a study has shown that drinking cranberry juice can help control blood sugar levels. The results of the study also showed that cranberry juice helps reduce the side effects of diabetes and improves quality of life. A recent study from Bangor, Maine, also indicated that drinking cranberry drink can lead to fewer kidney stones.
For those who are watching their sugar intake, Ocean Spray offers two options. The light version is blended with grape juice, but sweetened with acesulfame potassium and fructose. It contains about 50 calories per 8 ounce serving. The Diet version has no sugar and contains only 1 gram of sugar per eight-ounce serving. Both drinks contain natural ingredients like citric acid, so they can be a good choice for those who want to cut back on their consumption of refined sugar.
The Pure version of Ocean Spray cranberry juice contains no added sugar and is full of healthy nutrients. The fruit is rich in fiber and promotes intestinal health. By comparison, juices contain no fiber and only a small amount of sugar. A cup of whole cranberry juice from Ocean Spray has only ten calories and 3.6 grams of fiber. A cup of whole cranberry contains about 3.6 grams of fiber and 46 calories.
What Were The Basic Results
The review includes 24 studies with a total of 4,473 participants, comparing cranberry products with control or alternative treatments. Ten of the studies had been included in a previous review carried out by the researchers in 2009 into the same question. Studies included seven of women with recurrent UTIs, four of elderly men and women, three of patients needing catheterisation, two of pregnant women and three of children at risk. The main findings are below:
Can It Help Prevent Or Treat Utis
The first line of treatment for a urinary tract infection is antibiotics. However, some people may take cranberry supplements or drink cranberry juice to reduce their risk of developing one. Research is conflicted about whether cranberry juice is an effective method of treatment or prevention.
UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urethra and infect the urinary tract. The urinary tract includes the urethra, bladder, ureter, and kidney. UTIs are common in females, infants, and older adults.
According to a 2017 article, 1 in 3 females will experience a UTI by the time they are 24 years old.
Most UTIs resolve within 12 days of taking antibiotics. However, a UTI could cause serious health issues without treatment, including kidney infection and sepsis. Sepsis is a very serious condition that can lead to organ failure and death.
This article takes a look at how drinking cranberry juice may play a part in preventing UTIs and highlights some other evidence-based home remedies and treatment methods.
Many people drink cranberry juice in the hopes of preventing a UTI from developing. However, the Office on Womens Health states that the efficacy of cranberry juice for preventing UTIs has had conflicting results.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, raw cranberries contain antioxidant proanthocyanidins, or PACs, that can prevent bacteria from attaching to the walls of the urinary tract.
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How To Choose A Cranberry Supplement For Uti Prevention
Thinking of trying cranberry supplements for a UTI? Check in with your doctor first. While cranberry tablets probably wont hurt you, its always a good idea to talk with a medical professional before trying any new supplement.
If youre taking the blood thinner warfarin, for instance, you may want to avoid cranberry products, per the Cleveland Clinic. While NCCIH notes the evidence is conflicting, the concern is that cranberry may boost warfarins anti-coagulation effects, leading more bruising or bleeding.
You can find a number of cranberry products at the drugstore, but not all supplements are created equal. Dietary supplements have far less regulation than, say, pharmaceutical medications, and whats stated on their packaging may not be whats actually inside the pills. In fact, a 2018 study in JAMA Network Open revealed that a whopping 776 dietary supplements contained unapproved ingredients, so youll want to do your homework to make sure youre getting a decent cranberry tablet for UTIs .
People should look for a high-quality supplement that has some sort of certification, like the USP Verified Mark or NSF certification,Bruce Sloane, MD, urologist at Philadelphia Urology Associates, tells Health. That means its been sent to an independent lab that has verified that what the companies have said is in the supplement is actually in the supplement. Note: If a supplement has been verified by a third-party lab, it will usually promote it on its label.
What About Cranberry Juice And Kidney Stones
While cranberry juice, in general, is a healthy way to promote bladder and urinary health, drinking a lot can lead to kidney stones in certain people, says Dr. Badani. Kidney stones are small, hard mineral and salt deposits that form in the kidneys and tend to bind together in urine. This may cause nausea and sharp pain in the abdomen as the kidney stones pass through your urinary tract.
Consuming cranberry products may not be a safe home remedy for kidney stones because they contain oxalates. If youre prone to kidney stones, oxalate-containing foods can contribute to their formation. Whats more, cranberry also lowers the pH of your urine. Some stones like to form in acidic urine, while others tend to dissolve more readily in it.
The problem comes in when you overdo cranberry and consume over-the-top amounts, says Dr. Badani. If you are prone to kidney stones as well as UTIs, talk to your doctor before consuming cranberry products.
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How Cranberry Helps With Utis
For decades, doctors have been telling women with urinary tract infections to drink cranberry juice. Initially, the thinking was that the cranberry juice would make the urine more acidic and thus less hospitable for the bacteria, thereby preventing and treating infections. This turned out to not be the case though, as cranberry juice only lowers the urinary pH slightly, to a clinically insignificant degree.
A 1984 study then uncovered what may be the reason why cranberry may help with UTIs. This study found that the urine of people that drank cranberry juice cocktail was able to prevent E. coli bacteria from sticking to the lining of cells, and therefore colonizing and establishing an infection. Then a 2007 study showed that its the proanthocyanidins , a group of compounds found in cranberries , that is responsible for the anti-adhesion properties of cranberries and that they can specifically prevent adhesion of certain types of E. coli bacteria to the urothelium, the lining of the kidneys, bladder, and other tissues that make up the urinary system.
So, that cinches itcranberries are effective at preventing and treating urinary tract infections! Right? Well, not so fast there crusher. Turns out its not a slam dunk, its not so cut and dry. Not according to the well-respected and unbiased Cochrane organization.
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Cranberry Juice For Urinary Tract Infection
Specialist says grocery-store varieties aren’t strong enough for the job
HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Feb. 25, 2016 — Contrary to popular belief, cranberry juice does not cure a urinary tract infection, a doctor says.
Many people drink cranberry juice in an attempt to ease their symptoms, but it will do nothing to help them, said Dr. Timothy Boone, vice dean of the Texas A& M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Houston campus.
“Cranberry juice, especially the juice concentrates you find at the grocery store, will not treat a UTI or bladder infection,” he said in a center news release.
“It can offer more hydration and possibly wash bacteria from your body more effectively, but the active ingredient in cranberry is long gone by the time it reaches your bladder,” Boone said.
Each year, more than 3 million Americans have a urinary tract infection — an infection in any part of the urinary system, kidney, bladder or urethra, according to the news release.
The active ingredient in cranberries — A-type proanthocyanidins — is effective against UTI-causing bacteria, but is found only in cranberry capsules, not in cranberry juice, Boone said.
“It takes an extremely large concentration of cranberry to prevent bacterial adhesion,” Boone said. “This amount of concentration is not found in the juices we drink. There’s a possibility it was stronger back in our grandparents’ day, but definitely not in modern times.”
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Why Cranberry Juice Is Good For Uti
Does Cranberry Juice Help Treat UTIs? Myth vs. Science
If you get frequent urinary tract infections , youve possibly been told to drink cranberry juice and that its effective at stopping and treating these uncomfortable infections.
But is cranberry juice truly helpful for people with UTIs? And does including cranberry juice on your diet assist reduce the risk of a UTI?
This article explains the whole lot you need to understand about cranberry juice and UTIs that will help you separate the myths from the science.
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Why Cranberry Juice Works
From my understanding, it creates a slick membrane on the bladders wall surface that makes it difficult for the Bacteria that are responsible for UTI to stick too in effect flushing them out. It really does work and in about 8 hours, for mild or even moderate infection.
The earlier you catch it the better. Just keep drinking cranberry juice with lots of water in between to flush out the bladder.
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Misconception: Drinking Buckets Of Cranberry Juice Can Cure And Even Prevent Bladder Infections
Actually: You may enjoy the taste but it wont cure and, probably, wont prevent recurrence.
This purported remedy is centuries old and there is a considerable amount of research investigating it. While some studies suggest that cranberry may reduce repeated infections in younger women, it is certainly not a treatment for an active case. The gold standard for treatment is antibiotics. Sometimes doctors just recommend rest and ibuprofen.
I was hoping it would work, said Dr. Manisha Juthani-Mehta, an infectious disease specialist at the Yale School of Medicine, and the lead author of a study published Thursday in the journal JAMA, which showed no reduction in urinary tract infections for female nursing home patients who took standardized, high-dose cranberry capsules the equivalent of 20 ounces of juice daily for a year.
Im not sure its worth spending money on, particularly for patients on a fixed income, she said.
In a strongly worded editorial also in JAMA, Dr. Lindsay E. Nicolle, an expert on urinary tract infections, or UTIs, at the University of Manitoba, concluded that the evidence is convincing that cranberry products should not be recommended as a medical intervention for the prevention of UTI. She added that clinicians should not be promoting cranberry use by suggesting that there is proven, or even possible, benefit.
She concluded, It is time to move on from cranberries.
Contraindications Interactions Adverse Effects
Cranberry has a record of safety, although specific long-term safety data are lacking. No significant herb-drug interactions have been reported. A single study23 found that cranberry may increase the absorption of vitamin B12 in patients who also are taking proton pump inhibitors and that it may allow the kidneys to metabolize weakly alkaline drugs more rapidly, thus reducing their effectiveness. A small study24 found a significant rise in urinary oxalate levels, prompting a caution that regular use of cranberry may increase the risk of kidney stone formation in patients with a history of oxalate calculi.
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Does Cranberry Juice Prevent Urinary Tract Infections
It is commonly believed that cranberries and cranberry juice can prevent UTIs but is this accurate? It is worth noting that there are only limited studies on this. Still, from the small research sample available, it would appear that, in some women at risk of developing these infections, drinking cranberry juiceor taking cranberry pills may decrease your chance of getting a urinary tract infection.5
It is believed that cranberries make your urine more acidic, thus killing the bacteria that cause UTIs, and that it prevents bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract.6 If you are interested in trying it, drink pure, unsweetened cranberry juice rather than cranberry juice drink because cranberry juice drink is not shown to benefit UTI prevention.7
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Cranberry Products Are They Good For Pets
Go to many of the popular pet blogs or pet supply stores these days and youre likely to see cranberry-containing products touted and marketed with terms such as urinary health or urinary care. But whats the real deal with cranberry is it really a cure-all for your cat or dogs urinary issues? Or does cranberry just have a good publicity agent?
Lets cut through the clutter and explore the truth about the benefits of cranberry to urinary tract health for cats and dogs. If you really want to try using cranberry supplements for your pet, scroll further down for some product options to consider.
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What Did The Research Involve
Researchers set out to test whether cranberry juice and other products were more effective than either placebo or no treatment, or any other treatment in the prevention of UTIs in susceptible populations. They also wished to test whether different cranberry products differed in how well they prevented UTIs.
They searched a number of electronic databases for all randomised controlled trial and quasi-RCTs on the effectiveness of cranberry products in the prevention of UTIs.
They also contacted companies involved in the promotion and distribution of cranberry products for information on both published and unpublished studies, and searched reference lists of review articles and relevant studies.
They also searched by hand a number of specialist journals and the proceedings of major relevant conferences. Non-English language studies were included.
The studies included were of the following groups:
- those with a history of recurrent UTI
- people with abnormalities of the urinary tract
- children with a UTI
They excluded any studies in which cranberry products were tested as a treatment for UTI, and studies of any urinary tract condition not caused by a bacterial infection.
Two of the authors independently assessed the quality of all the studies eligible, using a validated tool to assess the risk of bias, and extracted the relevant data on study methods, participants, interventions and outcomes.
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Is Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Good For Your Ph Balance
While cranberry juice can temporarily make you feel sick and can irritate your lips, it is also beneficial for your health. It contains antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can help you fight off urinary tract infections. This juice is rich in phosphorus and potassium, and is a great alternative to soda. Here are the pros and cons of drinking cranberry juice.
One of the major benefits of cranberry juice is its low pH and high ascorbic acid content. Lemons, limes, and tangerines are all acidic fruits, while cranberries have a pH of 2.1. According to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Nutrient Database, healthy adults need 75 to 90 milligrams of ascorbic acid per day.
The best way to determine if Ocean Spray cranberry juice is safe for your ph balance is to taste a bottle. The fruit can be spoiled by a few months, so try to avoid it as much as possible. Alternatively, you can add a teaspoon of fresh cranberry juice to your glass. It will help to keep your urinary tract healthy.
Another positive factor is its high vitamin content. One cup of Ocean Spray cranberry juice contains 20 percent of your daily recommended dose of Vitamin C and 20 milligrams of vitamin E. It is also non-GMO and contains no artificial flavors or preservatives. So, you can feel good knowing that youre getting the highest quality fruit juice. If you dont want to risk consuming a contaminated drink, Ocean Spray is a great option.
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Cranberries Help Urinary Tract Infections But Not As Juice
Dashing out for a bottle of cranberry juice when a urinary tract infection hits may not be so helpful after all. Research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology suggests it could just be an old wives tale.
A urinary tract infection can affect any part of the urinary system, kidneys, bladder or urethra.
More than 3 million Americans, mostly women, experience a UTI every year.
Symptoms include frequent, painful urination, pelvic pain and traces blood in the urine. The infection does not normally last long, and most patients self-diagnose.
For many, the first port of call is a box of cranberry juice. However, new research suggests that while cranberry capsules can help, cranberry juice may be little more than a panacea.
Dr. Timothy Boone, PhD, vice dean of the Texas A& M Health Science Center College of Medicine in Houston, and colleagues wanted to know if cranberries can really help.
How To Take Cranberry Juice For Uti:
If you wish to use cranberry juice to treat UTI then you must take it 114 to 296ml or in doses of 4 to 10 oz. of pure juice, a day. Since cranberry juice is very sour the cranberry juice which is available commercially contains added sweeteners. You should therefore purchase that brand which has the lowest amount of added sugar.
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