Cranberry juice’s renewed popularity in today’s wellness culture has little to do with taste alone. Its sharp tartness and deep red color may make it a familiar presence at holiday tables and cocktail bars, but its true appeal lies in its long-standing reputation as a health aid. For decades, cranberries have been praised for supporting urinary tract health and delivering powerful antioxidants. Curious to see how these claims translate into real-life effects, I committed to a structured seven-day trial: drinking one glass of pure, unsweetened cranberry juice every morning on an empty stomach to observe its impact on my body.

The rules were clear from the start. To avoid diluted versions filled with sweeteners or blended fruit juices, I chose a 100% cranberry concentrate. My overall health was fairly balanced, though I often dealt with sluggish digestion, morning mental fog, and occasional skin flare-ups—common side effects of a busy lifestyle. I approached the experiment not expecting miracles, but with a mindset of careful observation.