What brand of cranberry juice has no sugar?

Cranberry juice is a popular beverage that many people enjoy for its tart, fruity flavor. However, most cranberry juices contain a lot of added sugar, which can be detrimental to health when consumed in excess. This raises an important question – what brands of cranberry juice contain no added sugar?

Finding a no-sugar cranberry juice allows people to enjoy the many potential health benefits of cranberries without the blood sugar spike and potential weight gain associated with sugary beverages. Cranberries contain antioxidants and are associated with improved heart health, lower inflammation, and urinary tract health.

Quick Overview of Cranberry Juice and Sugar Content

Most cranberry juice brands contain 25-33 grams of sugar per 8 ounce serving. This is equal to 6-8 teaspoons of added sugar! Popular cranberry juice brands like Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail contain 30 grams of sugar per 8 ounce glass.

The main reasons cranberry juice contains added sugar are:

  • To balance out the inherent tartness and acidity of cranberries
  • As a flavor enhancer
  • As a preservative

The amount of calories in cranberry juice from sugar is significant at around 110-130 calories per serving. Given general nutrition guidelines recommend limiting added sugars to 25 grams or 6 teaspoons a day for women and 36 grams or 9 teaspoons for men, one glass of traditional cranberry juice can easily meet or exceed the recommended limit.

Finding No Sugar Cranberry Juice Brands

Most mainstream cranberry juice brands contain added sugar, but there are some no sugar options on the market. Here are some of the most readily available unsweetened cranberry juice brands:

Lakewood Organic Pure Cranberry Juice

Lakewood offers an unsweetened cranberry juice that contains no added sugars. The ingredient list has just one item – cranberries. With no added preservatives, this is about as close as you can get to 100% pure cranberry juice. The flavor will be very tart and sour, which some people enjoy but others may find unpleasant. Diluting with a bit of water can help mellow the intense cranberry flavor.

R.W. Knudsen Just Cranberry

R.W. Knudsen’s Just Cranberry juice contains only cranberry juice concentrate and lemon juice – no added sugars. The lemon juice helps mellow out the natural cranberry tartness. The flavor is less sour than pure cranberry juice like Lakewood’s offering.

Dynamic Health Laboratories Organic Cranberry Juice Concentrate

Dynamic Health Laboratories offers an unsweetened organic cranberry juice concentrate. This is a very tart, strong concentrate that can be diluted before drinking. The concentrate allows you to control the strength of the flavor and sugar content by how much you dilute it.

Trader Joe’s Cranberry Juice, No Sugar Added

Trader Joe’s sells an inexpensive no sugar added cranberry juice. The ingredients include filtered water, cranberry juice concentrate, and lemon juice. With only 5 calories per serving, this is a nice Cranberry juice option for the health-conscious shopper on a budget.

Making Your Own No Sugar Cranberry Juice

It’s actually quite easy to make your own homemade cranberry juice with no added sugar.

Ingredients:

  • 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 3 cups water
  • Lemon juice to taste (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash and pick through fresh cranberries, discarding any damaged berries
  2. Add cranberries and water to a saucepan
  3. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently
  4. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-15 minutes until cranberries pop and soften
  5. Remove pan from heat and mash cranberries with a potato masher or large spoon
  6. Pour cranberry mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl or pitcher, pressing down on solids to extract all juice
  7. Discard cranberry solids
  8. Stir in lemon juice to taste if desired, start with 1 Tablespoon
  9. Chill homemade cranberry juice in the refrigerator before serving

This easy homemade cranberry juice recipe allows you to skip the added sugar for a lightly sweetened, crisp cranberry flavor. Adjust the amount of lemon juice to suit your taste preferences. Store in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.

Health Benefits of No Sugar Cranberry Juice

Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice provides the many health benefits associated with cranberries without spiking your blood sugar or packing on excess calories. Here are some of the top health benefits of no sugar added cranberry juice:

Antioxidant Effects

Cranberries are loaded with polyphenol antioxidants including anthocyanins that give cranberries their vivid red color. These antioxidants can help scavenge harmful free radicals that contribute to aging, cellular damage, and chronic disease development.

Heart Health

The polyphenols in cranberries may improve several markers of heart health. Studies show cranberry juice consumption can lower LDL cholesterol levels and increase HDL or “good” cholesterol. Cranberries may also improve blood pressure and blood vessel function.

Fights Bacteria

Cranberries contain two compounds – proanthocyanidins and fructose oligosaccharides – that prevent bacteria from adhering to surfaces. This includes the lining of the bladder and urinary tract, preventing recurrent UTIs. No sugar cranberry juice delivers these antibacterial benefits without added sugar.

Supports Immunity

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of cranberries may strengthen immune function. In one study of marathon runners, drinking low-calorie cranberry juice reduced upper respiratory tract infections like colds and flu compared to placebo.

Aids Digestion

Cranberry juice and other cranberry products can combat H. pylori, the bacteria responsible for stomach ulcers. It also provides prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial probiotic bacteria in the gut microbiome. This improves digestion and regularity.

Potential Downsides of No Sugar Cranberry Juice

While no sugar added cranberry juice has some nice benefits, there are some potential downsides to consider:

  • Very tart, sour taste unless diluted – not for everyone
  • Higher oxalate content may be problematic for those with kidney stones
  • More expensive than sugar-sweetened cranberry juice products
  • Need to drink larger portions to get equivalent nutrients found in sweeter juices

Drinking diluted low-sugar cranberry juice and limiting portions is advised to help limit calorie intake while still enjoying the benefits of cranberries. Those with kidney stones may want to avoid higher oxalate foods like cranberries.

The Bottom Line

Here is a quick summary answering “what brand of cranberry juice has no sugar?”:

  • Most mainstream cranberry juices contain 25-33g added sugar per serving
  • No sugar brands include Lakewood, R.W. Knudsen, Dynamic Health, and Trader Joe’s
  • You can make homemade no sugar cranberry juice with fresh cranberries, water, and lemon
  • The top benefits of no sugar cranberry juice are antioxidants, heart health, UTI prevention, immunity, and digestion support
  • Potential downsides are sour taste, cost, and higher oxalate content

In moderation, unsweetened cranberry juice provides valuable antioxidants and protective compounds from whole cranberries without unnecessary added sugar. Dilute concentrate or homemade juice to taste, or look for blended low-sugar cranberry juices to make the tartness more palatable.

Cranberry Juice Brand Sugar Content
Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail 30g added sugar per 8 oz
Lakewood Organic Pure Cranberry Juice No added sugar
R.W. Knudsen Just Cranberry No added sugar
Dynamic Health Organic Cranberry Juice Concentrate No added sugar
Trader Joe’s Cranberry Juice, No Sugar Added No added sugar

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cranberry juice good for you?

Unsweetened cranberry juice provides antioxidants and phytonutrients that can benefit heart health, immunity, urinary tract health, and digestion. However, most mainstream brands add lots of sugar. No sugar added cranberry juice delivers the benefits without extra calories and carbs.

Is cranberry juice high in sugar?

Traditional cranberry juices contain around 25-33 grams of added sugar per serving, equal to 6-8 teaspoons. This equals over 100 calories just from sugar. No sugar added cranberry juice eliminates this added sugar while providing cranberry benefits.

Is cranberry juice acidic?

Yes, cranberries have a very low pH and are highly acidic fruits. Their tartness comes from the key organic acids in cranberries – citric acid, malic acid, and quinic acid. Diluting unsweetened cranberry juice can help reduce the acidic bite.

Does cranberry juice help kidney stones?

Cranberries and cranberry juice contain oxalate, one of the key compounds that contributes to kidney stone formation. If you are prone to calcium oxalate kidney stones, limiting high-oxalate foods like cranberries may be beneficial.

Is homemade cranberry juice better than store bought?

Homemade cranberry juice made from fresh cranberries contains no added sugar and preservatives like store bought juice. However, homemade juice only lasts 5-7 days refrigerated while store bought is shelf-stable. Overall, homemade cranberry juice is likely the healthier choice.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are several no sugar added cranberry juice options on the market and it’s also simple to make your own homemade cranberry juice. Choosing an unsweetened cranberry juice provides all the benefits of cranberries without unnecessary added sugar. Moderating portion sizes of tart no sugar cranberry juice is advised, as is diluting strong concentrates to taste. Those prone to kidney stones may want to limit cranberry juice intake due to the high oxalate levels in cranberries. Overall, enjoying unsweetened cranberry juice is a tasty way to boost your antioxidant intake and support whole body health.

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