Low-calorie cranberry juice lowers blood pressure: study

Regularly drinking low-calorie cranberry juice may help get one's blood pressure under control, according to new research findings presented on Thursday at the American Heart Association's High Blood Pressure Research 2012 Scientific Sessions.

In a study that measured the effects of drinking low-calorie cranberry juice, participants drank either low-calorie juice or a placebo drink every day for eight weeks as part of a controlled diet.

Blood pressure was measured at the beginning, mid-point and end of the study. After eight weeks, blood pressure values had significantly dropped from an average of 121/73 mmHg to 118/70 mmHg for those drinking the low-calorie cranberry juice. The placebo group showed no change.

Researchers note that cranberry juice is rich in antioxidants -- naturally-occurring molecules in fruit, tea, wine and other foods - - which have been associated with lower blood pressure in other studies.