In the United States we love our cranberries (we consume about 400 million pounds a year—around 80 million over Thanksgiving alone), but with more protein, fewer calories and carbs, and a host of unique benefits, orange juice wins this fight. Both juices are excellent sources of vitamin C and cranberry juice has even been proven to support urinary-tract health and combat osteoporosis and certain types of cancer. However, orange juice’s unique benefits have a more direct effect on your physique. When consumed with a meal containing carbs and fat, orange juice prevents the inflammation that usually follows, blocking the development of insulin resistance and supporting blood-vessel elasticity. Orange juice also contains a pigment called hesperidin, which, research shows, can improve the performance of blood vessels.
