Drinking Cranberry Juice Has An Unexpected Effect On A Man's Prostate Health

Cranberry juice is more than just a popular cocktail ingredient. As a rich source of vitamin C, it is a powerhouse when it comes to its antioxidant concentration. Additionally, cranberries contain vitamin E, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and choline. Consuming cranberry juice is said to help with urinary tract health, prevention of ulcers, an improved immune system, combating plaque buildup in your arteries, and boosting digestion. And at some point in life, men might look for natural ways to boost their prostate health as they age; cranberry juice could help in that department as well.

According to a 2016 randomized control trial published in Biomedical Papers, daily consumption of powdered cranberry fruit reduced serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in patients with prostate cancer. Elevated PSA levels are linked with an increased risk of active cancer. Lifestyle changes, including tweaking your diet and exercise, could help naturally lower PSA levels. 

Before we take a look at how cranberries can help with prostate cancer, a word on their origins and makeup. Cranberries are round or oblong-shaped red berries that have a bright, tart flavor. They come from small creeping or trailing plants that belong to the Ericaceae plant family. Native to northeastern North America, they are used in pies, breads, cookies, muffins, cocktails (cranberry juice), salads, dips, and more. The juice tastes slightly sweet and sour, with a bitter aftertaste that some people don't particularly enjoy.  

The 2016 study noted that cranberries contain components that might regulate the proliferation of prostate cancer. Research suggests that cranberry extract can reduce the levels of a certain protein (cyclins) involved in prostate cancer invasion and metastasis. They also reduce activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMPs can boost cancer cell migration, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), per an older study published in Nature Reviews Cancer. 

What's more, cranberry juice is thought to inhibit or prevent H. pylori infection, which is a major cause of stomach or gastric cancer. In the case of prostate cancer, most of the studies done thus far seem to focus on how the compounds in cranberry juice help inhibit the spread of cancer in patients who have prostate cancer. So it's hard to say how this home remedy can help prevent prostate cancer in healthy people. 

Even so, prostate cancer isn't the only health concern cranberry juice can help men with. Turns out, it's an often-recommended home remedy for men who've been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The phytonutrients in the fruit are thought to help with bladder health, which is possibly why it's recommended for urinary tract infections (UTI). In the case of an enlarged prostate, the beneficial compounds in the juice could improve some of the urinary symptoms associated with the condition, such as frequent nighttime urination, urgency to pee, and weak urine flow.

First off, it's important to note that diet is only one of the key components of maintaining prostate health. There are other factors like exercise, getting sufficient amounts of vitamin D, managing stress, quitting smoking, and getting screened for prostate cancer, especially if you're at risk. A holistic approach is always best; even doing yoga has an unexpected effect on a man's prostate health. 

That being said, there is no harm in including a glass of cranberry juice a day in your diet, especially if you're dealing with BPH. Be mindful, however, of the added sugars and preservatives that come with the store-bought kind. Cranberry juice, when made without added sugar, contains about 31 grams of sugar per cup, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Looking at the ingredient list to make sure it doesn't contain added sugar, preservatives, artificial additives, or flavorings, and avoiding fruit cocktails are some things you can do to make healthier food choices. 

If you decide to make the stuff at home, all you have to do is bring a pan of water to a boil with the cranberries inside. Cook until the berries burst, strain the mixture into bottles, and let it cool. Drinking too much juice could lead to digestive issues like diarrhea in some people. Although uncommon, it is possible for people to be allergic to cranberries as well. Hives, itching, swelling in the mouth, and difficulty breathing are some of the symptoms.