What Brand of Cranberry Juice Is Healthy?

December 23, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, consuming cranberry products can help lower the risk of recurrent symptomatic urinary tract infections in women. But with so many options on the shelf, finding a genuinely healthy product can be tricky, leaving many to wonder: what brand of cranberry juice is healthy?

Quick Summary

Pure, unsweetened cranberry juice is the healthiest option, as most commercial 'cranberry juice cocktails' are loaded with added sugar. Look for brands labeled '100% juice' with a short ingredient list that contains no added sweeteners or high-fructose corn syrup to maximize benefits and avoid excess sugar.

Key Points

Check Labels Carefully: A healthy cranberry juice must be labeled "100% juice" or "100% pure cranberry juice" to avoid added sugars.
Avoid "Juice Cocktails": Products labeled "cranberry juice cocktail" or "drink" are typically high in added sugars or high-fructose corn syrup, negating health benefits.
Prioritize Purity: Look for brands like Lakewood or R.W. Knudsen that offer 100% pure, unsweetened cranberry juice with minimal ingredients.
Mind the Tartness: Pure cranberry juice is very tart; dilute it with water or mix it with other 100% juices to make it more palatable without adding sugar.
Consider Organic: For the best quality and to avoid potential pesticide residues, choose organic brands like Lakewood.
Consume in Moderation: Even healthy juice contains natural sugar, so it should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet that includes whole fruits.
Confirm the Specific Product: When buying Ocean Spray, be sure to select the "Pure Unsweetened Cranberry" juice, not the "100% Juice Blend," as the latter contains other fruit juices.

Decoding the Cranberry Juice Aisle

Many people are drawn to cranberry juice for its potential health benefits, especially its reputation for supporting urinary tract health. However, a quick scan of the grocery store aisle reveals a confusing array of products, from "juice cocktails" to "100% juice blends." The key to finding a truly healthy option is learning to distinguish between these labels and prioritize purity. The vast majority of mainstream cranberry juice products contain significant amounts of added sugar, often in the form of high-fructose corn syrup, which can undermine any potential health advantages.

The All-Important Label: 100% vs. Cocktail

To find a healthy cranberry juice, you must become a savvy label reader. Products labeled "cranberry juice cocktail" or "cranberry juice drink" are almost always loaded with added sugars, artificial flavors, and other additives. The best choice is a product labeled "100% juice" or "100% pure cranberry juice".

However, even the "100% juice" label requires a closer look. While this indicates no added sugar, it may still contain other, sweeter fruit juices like apple or grape to balance the intense tartness of pure cranberry. For the most health benefits with the least amount of sugar, look for bottles that state "100% Pure Cranberry Juice" with a single ingredient: cranberry juice.

Best Brand Recommendations for Healthy Cranberry Juice

Several brands are known for producing pure, unsweetened cranberry juice, though their availability may vary by region. These options offer the full antioxidant benefits of cranberries without the added sugar burden.

Lakewood Organic Pure Cranberry: This brand is praised for its single-ingredient, not-from-concentrate, 100% pure cranberry juice. It is certified organic, comes in a glass bottle, and contains no preservatives or additives. Its intensely tart flavor is a sign of its purity, and it can be diluted with water or mixed with other juices if desired.
R.W. Knudsen Family Just Cranberry: Another well-regarded brand, R.W. Knudsen's "Just Cranberry" offers a 100% pure cranberry juice. Many reviewers note its effectiveness for urinary health due to its potency. Like Lakewood, its strong, tart flavor is an indication of its purity and it is best enjoyed diluted or mixed.
Ocean Spray Pure Unsweetened Cranberry: For a widely available option, Ocean Spray offers a "Pure Unsweetened Cranberry" juice. It is 100% juice and, importantly, has no added sugar, artificial flavors, or preservatives. However, some consumers note confusion over labels like "100% Juice Cranberry Blend," which contain other juices, so selecting the "Pure Unsweetened" version is crucial.
Trader Joe's 100% Cranberry Juice: This product is another solid option, particularly for shoppers at that specific store. It is known for its intense tartness and purity, with a clean ingredient list. It is best for those who prefer to control their sweetness level by adding a natural sweetener or other juice.

Comparison Table: Healthy Cranberry Juice Brands


Feature	Lakewood Organic Pure Cranberry	R.W. Knudsen Family Just Cranberry	Ocean Spray Pure Unsweetened	Trader Joe's 100% Cranberry
Purity	100% Pure Organic Cranberry Juice, not from concentrate.	100% Pure Cranberry Juice.	100% Pure Cranberry Juice from concentrate, no added sugar.	100% Pure Cranberry Juice.
Added Sugars	None.	None.	None.	None.
Packaging	Glass bottle.	Glass bottle.	Plastic bottle.	Varies by location, typically glass.
Availability	Available at natural food stores and online.	Widely available, often found in health-conscious stores.	Widely available at most major grocery stores.	Exclusive to Trader Joe's stores.
Flavor	Very tart, intense cranberry flavor.	Very tart, strong cranberry flavor.	Very tart, may still be slightly less intense than others.	Very tart, known for its potency.

Making Tart Juice Palatable

For many, the intense, mouth-puckering tartness of pure cranberry juice is an acquired taste. Fortunately, there are several ways to enjoy its health benefits without the harsh flavor. Mixing it into other beverages allows you to control the sweetness and dilute the intensity.

Dilute with water: The simplest method is to mix a small splash of pure cranberry juice into a glass of plain or sparkling water. This creates a refreshing, low-calorie, and low-sugar drink.
Mix with other juices: Combine pure cranberry with a naturally sweeter 100% fruit juice like apple, orange, or pear. This adds sweetness and additional nutrients without relying on refined sugars.
Add to smoothies: Incorporating pure cranberry juice into a smoothie with other fruits, like bananas or berries, is a great way to mask the tartness while boosting the antioxidant content.
Use natural sweeteners: If you want a sweeter drink, add a small amount of honey, agave, or stevia to taste.

Potential Health Benefits and Considerations

Beyond its reputation for helping with urinary tract health, pure cranberry juice offers several other benefits. It is rich in antioxidants, which help combat free radicals that can cause cellular damage. These antioxidants, particularly proanthocyanidins (PACs), may also support heart health and reduce inflammation. The juice is also a source of vitamins C and E, which support immune function.

It is important to remember that these benefits apply to pure, unsweetened juice, not sugary cocktails. Excessive consumption of juice, even 100% juice, can lead to a high intake of natural sugars. Moderation is key, and ideally, cranberry juice should complement a balanced diet that includes whole fruits and vegetables.

Conclusion: Purity is the Priority

To determine what brand of cranberry juice is healthy, the ultimate consideration is purity. Any brand that offers a 100% pure, unsweetened cranberry juice is a healthy choice, provided it doesn't contain hidden fruit juice blends or added sweeteners. Opting for reputable brands like Lakewood, R.W. Knudsen, or Ocean Spray's specific Pure Unsweetened product ensures you get the full health benefits of cranberries without the unnecessary sugar. By learning to read labels and prioritizing minimal ingredients, you can make an informed and healthy decision for your beverage needs.

American Heart Association on Added Sugars

Frequently Asked Questions

Ocean Spray offers a specific product called "Pure Unsweetened Cranberry," which is 100% cranberry juice with no added sugar and can be considered healthy. However, many of their other products, like cranberry juice cocktails and juice blends, contain significant added sugars and are not the healthiest choice.

100% cranberry juice contains only fruit juice, without added sugars, relying on natural fruit sweetness. Cranberry juice cocktail, in contrast, includes added sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup and is not 100% fruit juice, making it significantly less healthy.

Yes, 100% cranberry juice contains natural sugars found in the cranberries themselves. However, it does not have any added sugars. It will have a much lower sugar content overall than a cranberry juice cocktail.

To make the tart taste of pure cranberry juice more palatable, you can mix it with plain or sparkling water, blend it with other sweeter 100% fruit juices like apple, or add natural sweeteners such as honey or stevia to taste.

Cranberry juice is known for its role in preventing UTIs, not curing them. The proanthocyanidins in cranberries help prevent bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls. For active infections, antibiotics are usually necessary.

Yes, several organic brands offer healthy, unsweetened cranberry juice. Lakewood Organic Pure Cranberry Juice and R.W. Knudsen Family Organic Just Cranberry are two excellent options known for their purity and use of organic ingredients.

Pure cranberry juice is naturally very tart because cranberries are an acidic fruit. Commercial juice cocktails add high amounts of sugar and other juices to mask this tartness, so the intense flavor of pure juice is actually a sign of its natural, unsweetened quality.