Cranberries
Juicy Trivia
Cranberries help to deodorise urine, so it should be included in the diet of anyone suffering from embarrassing odours associated with incontinence. Apparently cranberries are also often referred to as 'bounce berries' as they bounce when ripe (must give that one a go!) As far back as 1550 Native Americans have been using cranberries for food, dyes and medicine.
Jason Says...
Cranberry juice can be really 'tart' on its own, so I would always juice it with some sweet pineapple or apple juice to tame its bitter taste. Fresh cranberries are very abundant around the festive period but for the rest of the year it's fairly impossible to find fresh cranberries. But don't fear as you can use frozen cranberries as they still contain around 95% of their nutrients.
Juice or Smoothie?
Both: Frozen cranberries must be blended but with fresh, you can either juice or add them to a smoothie. When juicing, pack the funnel tightly in order to extract the maximum amount of juice. If blending, then simply add them into the blender with some nice freshly extracted pineapple or apple juice and then whatever else you fancy!
Juicy Benefits
Cranberry juice has been found to be effective in the treatment and prevention of bacterial bladder and other urinary tract infections, due to the presence of compounds called proanthocyanidins. These compounds reduce the ability of the common bacteria E. coli to adhere to the lining of of the bladder and urethra. By interfering with the bacteria's ability to adhere to the lining, cranberry juice greatly reduces the likelihood of an infection. What is more, the proanthocyanidins found in cranberries can also fight bacteria in the urinary tract if the infection has already set in, and therefore may help in drastically reducing the duration of the infection.
Research
Several clinical studies have shown cranberries and cranberry juice to be effective in treating bladder infections. In one study, drinking 16oz of cranberry juice a day was shown to produce beneficial effects in 73% of the 60 people in the study who had active urinary tract infections.
Cranberry juice has been shown to reduce the amount of ionized calcium in the urine by over 50% in patients with kidney stones. High urinary calcium levels greatly increase the risk of developing kidney stones, so cranberry juice could be extremely beneficial part of the prevention and treatment process.
Vitamins, Minerals and Extras
Vitamins B, C, Beta-Carotene and Folic Acid.
Iodine, Calcium, Chlorine, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Potassium.
Quinine.
References
Pinnock, Dale, 2011, Medical Cookery, Right Way, London.
Jensen, Bernard.Dr, 2000, Juicing Therapy, Keats Publishing, Illinois.
Meyerowitz, Steve, 2000, Power Juices Super Drinks, Kensington Books, New York.
www.enwikipedia.org
www.juicebenefits.net
www.healthalternatives2000.com
Disclaimer
Please be aware that we are not Doctors, so it is important BEFORE making any changes that you consult with your GP or Medical Practitioner. The suggestions above are not meant as an alternative to any current medical treatment so please DO NOT stop taking any medications you are on. They are also not an endorsement of their effectiveness, nor a recommendation that they should be followed but instead, provided for informational purposes. None of the information on the Natural Juice Therapy site is intended or implied to treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease.