Health benefits of drinking cranberry juice?

There is significant evidence to suggest drinking cranberry juice can help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs), though there are no guidelines on how much juice should be imbibed to stave off those unpleasant episodes.

In the early stages of investigation into the benefits of cranberry juice, experts thought the drink made urine more acidic, therefore creating an environment where bacteria responsible for a UTI were unable to grow.

That thinking has now been modified; instead of just creating more acidic urine, scientists feel cranberry juice—and other juices as well—can help prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract system. The exact mechanism behind this is not clear. Some studies have shown cranberry juice alters the bacteria itself, and other studies have indicated the potent juice leaves behind a slippery coating in the body’s system.

Urinary health is what cranberry juice is best known for, but the tart drink is beneficial for other reasons as well. Cranberries are rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals, substances thought to help  promote a healthy immune and cardiovascular system.

Unsweetened cranberry juice can also help prevent a build-up of dental plaque in the mouth by decreasing the number of bacteria present on the gums.
Another reason to drink cranberry juice is that it may help prevent the formation of kidney stones, though this has not yet been proven in a laboratory setting. Cranberries contain quinic acid, a substance medical experts feel helps prevent the formation of kidney stones; however, at the same time, cranberry juice also contains the chemical oxalate, which contributes to kidney stone formation.
Doctors recommend the unsweetened, pure cranberry juice (or cranberry fruits) instead of the sweetened cocktail juice often found in grocery stores.

*Source: Culled