How healthy is cranberry juice cocktail?
Is cranberry juice cocktail healthy? Best kept occasional. Cranberry juice cocktail scores 63/100 on the HowHealthyIs Score: 100 g provides 54 kcal and 42 mg vitamin C. Most cranberry juice sold is a cocktail: a little tart cranberry juice with water and added sugar. It adds vitamin C in fortified versions but little else. Source: USDA FoodData Central.
Score explained
The score compares nutrient density per 100 kcal across every food we cover (NRF9.3 method). Cranberry juice cocktail ranks higher than 63% of them.
Note: Most of the score comes from added vitamin C. The added sugar is the bigger story for a daily drink.
Counts in favor (% daily value per 100 kcal)
- Vitamin C87%
- Vitamin E3%
- Iron1%
- Potassium1%
- Magnesium0%
- Calcium0%
- Protein0%
- Fiber0%
- Vitamin A0%
Counts against
- Saturated fat0%
- Added sugars44%
- Sodium0%
Raw NRF9.3: 92 minus 44 = 48. The score is not a verdict on whether to eat a food; portion, the whole meal and your own health matter more. Full methodology
How many calories are in cranberry juice cocktail?
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per portion | %DV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy and macronutrients | |||
| Calories | 54 kcal | 137 kcal | |
| Protein | 0 g | 0 g | 0% |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g | 34 g | 12% |
| Fiber | 0 g | 0 g | 0% |
| Sugars | 12 g | 30 g | |
| Added sugars | 12 g | 30 g | 60% |
| Fat | 0.1 g | 0.3 g | 0% |
| Saturated fat | <0.1 g | <0.1 g | 0% |
| Omega-3 fats | <0.1 g | <0.1 g | |
| Vitamins | |||
| Vitamin A | 0 µg | 0 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 42 mg | 107 mg | 119% |
| Vitamin D | 0 µg | 0 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin E | 0.2 mg | 0.6 mg | 4% |
| Vitamin K | 1 µg | 2.5 µg | 2% |
| Vitamin B12 | 0 µg | 0 µg | 0% |
| Folate | 0 µg | 0 µg | 0% |
| Minerals | |||
| Calcium | 3 mg | 7.6 mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.1 mg | 0.3 mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 14 mg | 35 mg | 1% |
| Magnesium | 1 mg | 2.5 mg | 1% |
| Zinc | <0.1 mg | <0.1 mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 2 mg | 5.1 mg | 0% |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, "Cranberry juice cocktail, bottled" (FDC 171903). Values rounded.
Why is cranberry juice cocktail good for you?
- 107 mg vitamin C in 1 cup (240 ml), 119% of the daily value. Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
Good ways to use it
- Mixing with sparkling water
- Choosing unsweetened cranberry juice, diluted, if you like the taste
What should you watch out for?
- High in added sugar for a fruit drink. Evidence that cranberry products prevent urinary tract infections is mixed and does not apply to treating an infection.
What can you eat instead of cranberry juice cocktail?
Foods you can use the same way with a higher HowHealthyIs Score.