Unsweetened Cranberry Juice Curbed Plaque Acid, but Sweetened Cocktail Did Not

Posted: June 23, 2026

Unsweetened Cranberry Juice Curbed Plaque Acid, but Sweetened Cocktail Did Not

Edited by Hygienetown staff

Pure, unsweetened cranberry juice reduced dental plaque regrowth and acid production in two small trials of adults and children, but a sweetened cranberry cocktail with added sugar showed no such effect, according to research published June 23 in Scientific Reports.

Researchers conducted two independent randomized crossover trials, one in eight adults ages 18 to 64 and one in 14 children ages 7 to 12. They used a method that measures the metabolic activity of plaque bacteria before and after exposure to a test beverage.

Each participant provided a plaque sample, then rinsed with and consumed small amounts of pure 100% cranberry juice, a 27% cranberry cocktail containing added sugar, or water, with a second sample taken 30 minutes later.

The pure juice reduced plaque regrowth and acid production by about 44% in adults and 33% in children relative to baseline. Neither the sweetened cocktail nor water produced a significant reduction.

The researchers attributed the effect to cranberry proanthocyanidins, compounds shown in earlier work to inhibit the growth and biofilm formation of bacteria associated with caries and periodontal disease. The added sugar in the cocktail appeared to negate the benefit.

The authors suggested that unsweetened cranberry juice could serve as a less cariogenic alternative to sugary drinks, while noting that the trials were small.

The study was led by Qian Xie and colleagues at the College of Dentistry, University of Illinois Chicago. They described the laboratory method as a potential screening tool for natural and food-based antiplaque agents.

Sources:
Scientific Reports, “In vivo exposure to cranberry juice suppresses dental plaque regrowth and acid production in adults and children: a PGRM study,” June 23, 2026, DOI 10.1038/s41598-026-56025-3: nature.com/articles/s41598-026-56025-3


Unsweetened Cranberry Juice Curbed Plaque Acid, but Sweetened Cocktail Did Not

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