What Eating Cranberries Every Day Will Do To Your Body

Have you been on a health kick lately? There are plenty of great fruits and veggies that you can eat. Even ones you weren’t expecting. How many of your friends are on a strict cranberry diet? I thought so. I’m not saying you should be eating nothing but cranberry day-in and day-out, but they are really healthy for you. Let’s talk about What Eating Cranberries Every Day Can Do to Your Body. Do you get a nutrient boost? Do they prevent urinary tract infections? Are there negative effects? Wait, can cranberries really prevent certain cancers? We’re talking all that and more.

They Can Reduce Stomach Cancer:

Well, it’s not a sure thing, but it has been suggested. Because of their various plant compounds, cranberries may stop stomach cancers from happening. Stomach cancer is a common sickness around the world. The United States is estimated to see about 26 thousand new cases this year alone. We got a big, sciency word coming your way, so nerd alert! Stomach cancer is caused by a bacterium known as H. pylori. Aside from cancer, H. pylori are also known to cause inflammation and ulcers. It does this by attaching itself to the lining of your stomach. But more on that in a little bit...

The unique type of compounds in cranberries will fight against the bacterium. A study from 2005 showed that drinking 2 cups of cranberry juice a day can help reduce H. pylori from infecting you. Children who drink cranberry juice on a regular basis also see a reduction in H. pylori. So it’s best to have a cup every day. Or at least try.

Keeps You Hydrated:

Did you know that one cup of cranberries is almost 90% water? That’s enough to keep you pretty refreshed. There is a catch though. This is mainly for eating cranberries. With cranberry juice, you’re getting a ton of added sugar. Even 100% cranberry juice has a lot. One cup of cranberry juice has over 10% of your daily carbohydrates. In that, you’re getting 30 grams of sugar. So if you’re going to have cranberry juice, limit yourself to a cup a day. It’s not the healthiest way to stay hydrated, but it's a start.

Your Skin Will Look Younger:

Cranberries have a lot of Vitamin C. It’s one of their more powerful antioxidants. A single ounce of cranberries usually carries about 5% of your suggested Vitamin C for the day. Vitamin C works to promote collagen. This is needed to repair your body's tissues, and protect your cells from free radicals. Eating cranberries every day can work to repair your skin from damage. Drinking the right kind of cranberry juice is even better for you. A serving of unsweetened cranberry juice has almost 26% of your daily Vitamin C value. There are so many other great benefits to go with it. On top of keeping your skin looking younger, Vitamin C will heal wounds. This is also done through collagen production and fighting against free radicals. Vitamin C can also increase the strength of your muscles and bones. If you’re insecure about the way you look, do your best to drink a cup of unsweetened cranberry juice every day.

Your Heart Health Increases:

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Over 650,000 Americans die from it every year alone. Eating cranberries can really help you avoid this. This berry contains tons of antioxidants that boost the health of your heart. Extract from cranberry juice has proven to benefit your heart in many ways. It can lower bad cholesterol levels in people with diabetes. It will also increase your level of good cholesterol. Cranberries lower your blood pressure as well, allowing your heart to pump blood easier than usual. As a whole, cranberry juice is also shown to have heart benefits. A study from 2019 done on overweight men showed that drinking cranberry juice could improve risk factors for heart attacks and strokes. So if heart disease runs in your family, pour yourself a cup of cranberry. It can serve as one of the first steps to becoming healthier.

Healthier Gums & Teeth:

Worried about the state of your teeth? Have you not been to a dentist in a while? Well, cranberries have you covered for the time being. A regular diet of cranberries can prevent gum disease and tooth decay. This will kill plaque from building up on your smile and infecting your mouth. As a result, the bacteria will have a harder time spreading. Cranberries have nutrients that fight against bacteria and prevent them from sticking together. These nutrients are called polyphenols. Polyphenols stay within your saliva. From here, they fight against harmful agents and lower your chances of disease. This is possible even after the saliva is swallowed. So if you’re insecure about the way your teeth look, a serving of cranberries a day will satisfy your smile for the time being. But seriously, get to a dentist ASAP.

You Can Get Kidney Stones:

Now let’s just get real for a moment. While there are several benefits to eating cranberries, we need to touch upon one of the negatives. If you eat them every day, there is a possibility that cranberries can give you kidney stones. Kidney stones occur when minerals in your urine reach high concentrations. Removing one can really be painful. Anyone who’s ever passed them will tell you. Most kidney stones are made from calcium oxalate. Too much oxalate in your urine can really be bad for you. Unfortunately, cranberries hold a lot of calcium oxalate. As a result, a large consumption may give you a kidney stone. But don’t lose your breath just yet, folks! This doesn’t apply to everyone. When it comes to evidence over the connection between cranberries and kidney stones, studies vary. Further research needs to be done. Experts are convinced that most people will not be given kidney stones through eating cranberries. But if you’ve had issues with your kidneys in the past, just be cautious.

It Improves Your Digestive Health:

On a more positive note, cranberries can improve your digestion. Remember H. pylori from a few minutes ago? Well aside from causing stomach cancer, it can also form ulcers. This happens when it accumulates along the lining of your stomach. Stomach ulcers will get in the way of proper digestion. They come with symptoms like a dull pain, troubled breathing, vomiting, fatigue, and bad appetite. Over time, you’re also going to lose a fair amount of weight. But there is hope in the form of cranberries. Studies have suggested that the antioxidants in cranberries can fight stomach ulcers and improve your digestion. This will help you process your meals better, and absorb nutrients. Feeling a pain in your stomach? A serving of cranberries each day might be the remedy for you. Cranberry juice however may not be great for this.

Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections:

Also known as UTIs, a urinary tract infection is an infection in any part of your urinary system.

This includes the kidneys, bladder, or urethra. A regular diet of cranberries is shown to stop this from happening. The intestinal bacteria in your urinary tract will attach themselves to the surface of your bladder. The nutrients from cranberries can block the bacteria from entering your urinary system. In fact, a number of studies have pointed towards this. Cranberry can reduce the risk of UTIs in both kids and adults. This is both from supplements and juices. Cranberry is especially useful for women, who are the most vulnerable to urinary tract infections.

Just make sure you’re buying the purest form of cranberry juice you can find. A lot of the nutrients can be lost during its processing. This only makes it ineffective. Supplements seem to be the most reliable. So if you’ve been feeling pain when you go to the bathroom, a serving of cranberries might do you well. At the same time, make sure you get to the doctor.