Ocean Spray Cranberry juice is a popular drink that is often seen as healthy. But what are the real benefits and drawbacks of drinking it? Is it good for you or bad for you? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients, nutritional profile, and health benefits of Ocean Spray Cranberry juice to find out.
Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Drink – Ingredients
Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice is not a drink that is overloaded with ingredients. However, the exact contents of your Ocean Spray Cranberry juice drink will depend on your flavour of choice, as there are slight differences between different flavours.
Some of the flavours include Pure Cranberry, Cranberry Pineapple Passion Fruit, Diet Cranberry with Lime, and many others. The Cranberry Classic flavour contains the following ingredients:
- Water – The most prevalent ingredient in any juice drink
- Cranberry Juice from Concentrate (27%) – Is added to add some sourness to the drink. Other flavours may include grape, pear, berry, apple, or lemon juice extracts
- Sugar and Sweetener (Steviol Glycosides) – Steviol is a sweetener produced from natural stevia leaves
- Thickener (Pectin) – Is a type of starchy fiber and it is generally added to improve the consistency of a drink
- Vitamin C – A useful vitamin for various bodily processes and overall health. Also acts as a preservative for the drink
- Vegetable and Fruit Concentrate (Carrot, Cranberry) – Used to regulate taste and the colour of the drink
- Natural flavouring – Incorporated for that extra cranberry sweetness
Evidently, the classic flavour of the Ocean Spray Cranberry drink contains no artificial flavouring or colouring, which is definitely a plus. It also contains no artificial sweeteners.
While there are no ‘bad’ ingredients in the drink per se, the higher sugar content of the drink may make it a less attractive option for some.
Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice – Nutrition facts
Ocean Spray Cranberry is moderately light when it comes to its nutritional content, but there are definitely some pros and cons to consider.
Calories in Ocean Spray Cranberry juice
One of the cons of Ocean Spray Cranberry juice is certainly the moderate to high number of calories it contains.
One serving (250ml) of Ocean Spray Cranberry Classic juice contains around 57.5 calories. On the other hand, the Ocean Spray Cranberry Classic with no added sugar contains only 20 calories per 250ml serving.
To compare it to another popular juice drink, Robinson’s contains less than 13 calories per 250ml serving. Still, there are many juice drinks that contain more than 100 calories per serving.
Ocean Spray Cranberry Classic may not be the least caloric juice out there, but it certainly isn’t the most calorie dense either.
Sugar content in Ocean Spray Cranberry juice
The sugar content in Ocean Spray Cranberry is relatively high, and it accounts for most of the calories in this juice drink. It contains almost 12 grams of sugar per 250ml, which is around 3 teaspoons per serving.
It’s important to keep in mind the flavour of the Ocean Spray Cranberry juice you are purchasing, as some flavours such as 100% Juice Cranberry have almost 25 grams of sugar per 250ml serving. That is more than 6 teaspoons per serving. To put it into comparison, the original Coca-Cola flavour contains around 26 grams per 250ml.
Fat and Protein content in Ocean Spray Cranberry juice
Ocean Spray Cranberry juice flavours contain 0 grams of fat and 0 grams of protein per serving. It’s safe to say that there are no risks to drinking it if you are trying to limit your fat or protein intake.
Vitamin C content in Ocean Spray Cranberry juice
One of the benefits of Ocean Spray Cranberry is the Vitamin C it provides. It contains 24mg of Vitamin C per 100ml.
The official website states that one 250ml glass of Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice provides the daily recommended amount of vitamin C, with none of the artificial flavours or colourings.
Ocean Spray Cranberry juice – Health benefits
There are some potential health benefits that could come with the consumption of Ocean Spray Cranberry juice. Most of the potential health benefits of this drink come from its vitamin C content.
Normal functioning of the immune system
The Ocean Spray Cranberry drink could contribute to the normal functioning of the immune system thanks to the vitamin C it provides.
Studies have found that the most important micronutrients for the support of the immune system are vitamin C, vitamin D, and Zinc.
Since one 250ml glass of Ocean Spray Cranberry provides the daily recommended dose of vitamin C, it could benefit the immune system of those with a deficiency in this key vitamin.
Disease prevention
This drink could also be beneficial in the prevention of various diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and cancer. This is owing to the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the compounds found in cranberries, which have been studied and proven throughout the years.
Is Ocean Spray Cranberry juice squash good or bad for you?
Overall, it can be said that Ocean Spray Cranberry juice may be good when consumed in moderation, always keeping in mind that it is a drink that is relatively high in sugar and calories.
It is up to your best judgment to weigh out the pros and cons of this drink for your own health goals.
FAQs
Is Ocean Spray Cranberry juice good for a UTI?
Cranberries have been scientifically linked with beneficial effects in UTI prevention and treatment. Cranberry juice could be a good choice of drink if you are experiencing a UTI.
However, it is important to remember that sugar is a food source for bacteria, which is why it should be avoided if you have a UTI. That is why it may be better to opt for a homemade or sugar-free version of cranberry juice.
Is Ocean Spray Cranberry juice safe during pregnancy?
Cranberry juice is generally thought to be safe to drink during pregnancy, but it is important to remember to practice moderation and monitor your sugar and calorie intake.
Is Ocean Spray Cranberry juice good for weight loss?
Ocean spray cranberry juice might not be the best option for weight loss as it is relatively high in calories. The undisputed king of weight loss drinks remains water, as it contains 0 calories.
Is Ocean Spray Cranberry juice good for your kidneys?
As previously mentioned, cranberries are known for their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, which may benefit kidney health. However, ocean Spray Cranberry contains several other ingredients that may not be the best to consume in large amounts.
Is Ocean Spray Cranberry juice good for diabetics?
While there is some evidence to support the beneficial effects of cranberry juice on diabetes, the various flavours of Ocean Spray Cranberry juice also contain sugar and sweeteners which are not safe to consume for diabetics.
Is Ocean Spray Cranberry juice good for your PH balance?
Although studies are inconclusive, cranberry juice may help to regulate vaginal PH levels much like they contribute to the prevention and treatment of UTIs. Of course, this is the case with pure cranberry juice with no added sugar, which is best made at home. Consuming sugary drinks could be a source of food for the bacteria that is giving you trouble, making your infection worse.
Is Ocean Spray Cranberry juice with no sugar added good for you?
To add a hint of sweetness without adding sugar, various fruit juices are frequently combined with cranberry juice. Since cranberries are so sour, it may be difficult to believe, but a cup of unsweetened cranberry juice has about 31 grams of natural sugar.
That is why the verdict on the Ocean Spray Cranberry juice with no added sugar is more or less the same as the one for the classic flavour of Ocean Spray Cranberry – Use your best judgment and only consume the drink in moderation from time to time.
