This won't come as a shock to long-time advocates of cranberry juice, but it's nice to know that science is finally catching up with pop wisdom.

Researchers at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) found that tannin compounds in cranberry juice have the ability to change E. coli from its normal rod-shape into spheres. This is significant since the new configuration prevents the bacteria from causing infection.

E. coli is a bad-ass microorganism that causes a host of diseases, including urinary tract infections, meningitis, peritonitis, mastitis, septicemia and gram-negative pneumonia. The tannin compounds in cranberry juice known as proanthocyanidins is what changes the shape of the bacteria from rods to spheres and alters their cell membranes. This makes it difficult for bacteria to make contact with cells or latch on to them which is the first step to causing an infection.

It has also been reported that drinking cranberry juice three times a day increases blood concentration of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (good cholesterol). It also has the highest level of antioxidants than any other fruits, and antioxidants are known to help keep skin healthy and young-looking. It has been known to keep your insides healthy as well.

So the next time you're offered cranberry juice, drink up! You know why you should drink every last drop of it.