# Pure cranberry juice-how the hell does anyone drink this? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** soda-softdrinks\ **Created:** [March 16, 2018, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682 "2018-03-16T18:11:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/1 "2018-03-16T18:11:20Z")
Maybe enough vodka not to mind? Stuff is nasty. But after my second UTI in 5 mos. it’s what they recommended I try. PURE cranberry, nothing else in it and it was hard to find and cost $8 a small bottle. I am putting some Gatorade in it and hoping it grows on me, but ick ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/2 "2018-03-16T18:16:55Z")
I remember my mother having to buy Ocean Spray cranberry juice for her UTIs. I also remember her yelling at me a lot because I would drink it all up before she had a chance to. I love that stuff! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/3 "2018-03-16T18:17:10Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#): > > Maybe enough vodka not to mind? Stuff is nasty. But after my second UTI in 5 mos. it’s what they recommended I try. PURE cranberry, nothing else in it and it was hard to find and cost $8 a small bottle. I am putting some Gatorade in it and hoping it grows on me, but ick Is it possible you got the concentrate? I remember buying something like that at Whole Foods years back, but it was meant to be diluted something like 8 to 1 with water. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/4 "2018-03-16T18:24:39Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > I remember my mother having to buy Ocean Spray cranberry juice for her UTIs. I also remember her yelling at me a lot because I would drink it all up before she had a chance to. > > I love that stuff! I’m not sure any of the ocean spray products are 100% cranberry juice. Looking at their “100% Juice, Cranberry” flavor, I see these ingredients: cranberry juice from concentrate, grape juice from concentrate, apple juice from concentrate, pear juice from concentrate. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/5 "2018-03-16T18:25:02Z")
IIRC, cranberry juice actually does not do anything for UTIs. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/6 "2018-03-16T18:33:29Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Is it possible you got the concentrate? I remember buying something like that at Whole Foods years back, but it was meant to be diluted something like 8 to 1 with water. No, real (unsweetened) cranberry juice is incredibly sour and bitter. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/7 "2018-03-16T18:33:46Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > IIRC, cranberry juice actually does not do anything for UTIs. You have recalled correctly. > **[Will Cranberry Juice Cure My UTI?](https://www.thecut.com/2017/03/is-cranberry-juice-a-good-uti-treatment.html)** > > Experts reveal whether it really can help treat and prevent these uncomfortable infections. So-- good news, OP needn’t bother suffering any more cranberry juice. Bad news, you’re going to have to try something else for your UTI. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/8 "2018-03-16T18:36:41Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > No, real (unsweetened) cranberry juice is incredibly sour and bitter. I don’t see anything in my post that contradicts that. That’s exactly _why_ I bought it. The stuff that was $8 for that size was a concentrate. Something [like this](https://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/natural-sources-natural-cranberry-drink-concentrate-8-fl-oz/nz-1020?mr:trackingCode=7D335D84-C9E0-E511-80ED-00505694403D&mr:referralID=NA&sourceType=sc&source=SHOP&acqsource=adlucent&utm_source=Shopping&utm_medium=CSE&utm_campaign=Natural%20Sources&utm_content=NZ-1020&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1q3VBRCFARIsAPHJXrHjwnwHdSHePfPSYR6DuEJ5sOs8Grs69ioaunKk5Ubi_y0EmongvDgaAtheEALw_wcB). (I used it for some hard cider I was brewing.) ETA: [Pretty sure this is the exact stuff I bought](https://express.google.com/product/3724480912663522159_2223004493337090209_8175035). Looks like it’s 3 parts water to one part concentrate, not 8:1. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/9 "2018-03-16T18:39:28Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I don’t see anything in my post that contradicts that. That’s exactly _why_ I bought it. The stuff that was $8 for that size was a concentrate. Something [like this](https://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/natural-sources-natural-cranberry-drink-concentrate-8-fl-oz/nz-1020?mr:trackingCode=7D335D84-C9E0-E511-80ED-00505694403D&mr:referralID=NA&sourceType=sc&source=SHOP&acqsource=adlucent&utm_source=Shopping&utm_medium=CSE&utm_campaign=Natural%20Sources&utm_content=NZ-1020&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1q3VBRCFARIsAPHJXrHjwnwHdSHePfPSYR6DuEJ5sOs8Grs69ioaunKk5Ubi_y0EmongvDgaAtheEALw_wcB). (I used it for some hard cider I was brewing.) It’s not the concentrate. The juice straight from the berry is horrible at normal strength. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/10 "2018-03-16T19:02:50Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > It’s not the concentrate. The juice straight from the berry is horrible at normal strength. I’ve tasted it at normal strength. I know what it tastes like. There’s a 32 oz non-concentrate bottle that sells at the same price. I actually like it, but I like bitter drinks. The price made me wonder if it’s the concentrate. The regular stuff is not that horrible to me. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/11 "2018-03-16T19:04:45Z")
Trader Joe’s sells cranberry in concentrated tablets you swallow, and they’re MUCH easier to handle. Anyone who thinks cranberry doesn’t help with a UTI has never had chronic UTIs. ---
**Author:** ![Arkcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/12 "2018-03-16T21:48:53Z")
Ahem. Cough Cough [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=632451&highlight=cranberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=632451&highlight=cranberry) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/13 "2018-03-16T21:55:42Z")
I love the stuff, though it’s a little expensive. Sometimes I drink it straight but usually I cut it with seltzer water. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/14 "2018-03-16T21:57:50Z")
Ice cold is the only way to drink it. Azo has cranberry supplements. My doc said not to waste my money. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/15 "2018-03-16T21:59:45Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I’m not sure any of the ocean spray products are 100% cranberry juice. Looking at their “100% Juice, Cranberry” flavor, I see these ingredients: cranberry juice from concentrate, grape juice from concentrate, apple juice from concentrate, pear juice from concentrate. IIRC, their “juice cocktail” is actually closer to pure cranberry than the “100% juice” malarky version. I think it’s just cranberry concentrate and added filtered water. EIther way, I prefer to mix it with 7UP or similar. (or just buy the sparkling variety). Obviously if you for some reason (your business, not mine) require it pure, it won’t be if you mix it. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/16 "2018-03-16T22:06:00Z")
I can’t find it 100%, I bought it recently but had to get a mix. Is it true it does nothing for UTI’s? That goes against everything I’ve read. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/17 "2018-03-16T22:12:00Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > IIRC, their “juice cocktail” is actually closer to pure cranberry than the “100% juice” malarky version. I think it’s just cranberry concentrate and added filtered water. Ah, yes, that one appears to basically be water, cranberry juice concentrate, and sugar. Good to know. I had actually thought all of them were cut with some “neutral” fruit juices for sweetness, but it looks like this one just uses straight-up sugar to balance the astringent nature of cranberry juice. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/18 "2018-03-16T22:15:30Z")
Hydration does a lot for UTIs, as I understand it. So hydrating with cranberry juice helps just as much. But you get nothing special from the cranberries. It’s the water doing all the work. Speaking of water, I have to water down _all_ juices now. I started with the pure cranberry juice we got several years ago, but now drinking undiluted juice of any sort tastes like guzzling corn syrup. Far too sweet. Much more refreshing to mix it 50/50 or more with ice water. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/19 "2018-03-16T22:17:29Z")
Pure cranberry juice, though, isn’t much sweet at all. It’s mouthpuckeringly dry. I mean, I’m sure there’s some sugar in there, but it’s not like regular fruit juices. It’s a bit like sucking on a cranberry teabag. ETA: Looking up the nutrition info, unsweetened cranberry juice has 9g sugar for an 8 oz serving. To compare, apple juice is 24g sugar for the same serving size. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682/20 "2018-03-16T22:43:04Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > Trader Joe’s sells cranberry in concentrated tablets you swallow, and they’re MUCH easier to handle. Anyone who thinks cranberry doesn’t help with a UTI has never had chronic UTIs. OK, now I need the SD. Is it the cranberry or the hydration? \<\\> > **[Amazon.com: Pure Healthland Non GMO Cranberry Concentrate Supplement Pills for...](https://www.amazon.com/Cranberry-Concentrate-Supplement-Infection-Cranberries/dp/B00NECHDXS)** > > Buy Pure Healthland Non GMO Cranberry Concentrate Supplement Pills for Urinary Tract Infection UTI. Equals 12600mg Cranberries. Triple Strength for Men and Women, Easy to Swallow Softgels 1 Bottle on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders Ingredients Supplement Facts: Serving Size: 1 Softgel, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) 20 mg-33%, Vitamin E (dl-Alpha toco. acetate) 3 IU -10%, Cranberry Concentrate (Vaccinium macrocarpon) (fruit) (a 50:1 concentrate, equivalent to 12,600mg of fresh cranberries) 252 mg\*, \* Daily Value not established. Other Ingredients: Soybean oil, gelatin, vegetable glycerin, lecithin and white beeswax. Shell Ingredients: Gelatin, purified water and vegetable glycerin. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pure-cranberry-juice-how-the-hell-does-anyone-drink-this/810682.md?page=2)