Pomegranate, by and large, now has caught the attention of many medical experts for its medicinal qualities. It is indeed a native fruit of Iran and the Himalayan regions in India and is now widely cultivated in many parts of the world.
Scientist now has done a fair amount research into its potential in the field of health nutrition. Pomegranate aril (seed) juice provides about 16% of the Vitamin C requirement of an adult for every 100 ml serving and is a notable good source of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), potassium and antioxidant polyphenols.
Punicalagins, a hydrolyzable polyphenol tannin found abundantly in pomegranate, are known to have free radical scavenging properties. Readily absorbed into the human body, they are said to have dietary value as antioxidants, but conclusive proof of efficacy in humans need further study confirmation. Apart from having the other polyphenols such as catechins and gallocatechins, its other phytochemicals contents include beta-carotene. Its anthocyanins contents such as prodelphinidins, delphinidin, cyanidin and pelargonidin make it more appealing to those who are constantly seeking healthy remedies to strengthen their fort. Its juice ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) of 2,860 units per 100 grams is considered moderate when compared to other herbs and spices.
Many food and dietary supplment manufacturers prefer pomegranate phenolic extracts over its juice mainly for its ellagic acid which becomes bioavailable when its parent molecule punicalagins are metabolized. However, as ingested ellagic acid from pomegranate juice does not accumulate in the blood in significant quantities and is rapidly excreted, it does not appear to be biologically important in vivo. In vivo studies, pomegranate juice was effective in reducing heart disease risk factors, including LDL oxidation, macrophage oxidative status, and foam cell formation; all of which are steps in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. It has also been shown to reduce systolic blood pressure by inhibiting serum angiotensin-converting enzyme, may inhibit viral infections and may have antibacterial effects against dental plaque.
While its seeds oil was effective against proliferation of breast cancer cells in vitro, it contains polyphenols which inhibit estrogen synthesis. It is vital in fighting free radicals that damage and age the skin. It is also a potent source of punicic acid, an Omega 5 conjugated fatty acid, beneficial phytoestrogen and a rare plant based source of CLA.
Pomegranate extract has quality values in inhibiting chronic inflammation linked with a variety of health problems such as heart disease and inflammatory stimuli-induced cartilage breakdown and production of inflammatory mediators in arthritis. As a great source of antioxidans, potassium and vitamin C, niacin and a substantial amount of fiber, the antioxidant powers of pomegranate juice is nearly three times as much as the antioxidant amount in green tea or red wine which may be why a number of studies show it may prevent skin cancer and kill breast and prostate cancer cells. It also helps to fight Alzheimers’s disease with studies at Loma Linda University confirming that mice which drank pomegranate juice experienced 50% less brain degeneration than animals that consumed only sugar water.
Pomegranate drinkers also did better in mazes and tests as the aged. Another study that he mention was performed by Israeli researchers with a group of diabetics who drank about 2 ounces of pomegranate juice a day for 3 months and results showed that they kept their bodies from absorbing bad cholesterol into their immune system cells. In a different study about a comparison between antioxidant contents in pomegranate fruit and peel extracts, pomegranate juice has been demonstrated to be high in antioxidant activity and is effective in the prevention of atherosclerosis. The results showed that pomegranate peel extract had markedly higher antioxidant capacity than the pulp extract. The contents of total phenolics, flavonoids and proathocyanidins were also higher in peel extract than in pulp extract. It was concluded that pomegranate peel extract appeared to have more potential as a health supplement rich in natural antioxidants than the pulp extract and merits further intensive study. Pomegranate juice seems to stave off hardening of the arteries and may even reverse it. A recent study in the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that pomegranate juice reduced the rate of cholesterol plaque buildup in mice by 30% while heart cells treated with the juice showed a 50% increase in the production of nitric oxide, a substance that helps fight plaque.
Another beneficial antioxidant property of pomegranates is the antidiarrheal activity of the aqueous extract of peels which contain some biologically active principles that may be active against diarrhea which is the basis for its traditional use for gastrointestinal disorders. Apart from this, pomegranate fruit extract possesses remarkable antitumor-promoting effects, anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic properties, cancer-chemopreventive as well as cancer-chemotherapeutic effects against prostate & lung cancer in humans.
Natural methods to reduce inflammation are becoming more popular as increasing concern emerges over the health effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen. While NSAIDs are some of the most frequently prescribed drugs globally, potential side effects include gastrointestinal toxicity, raised blood pressure and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. There is no known specific human drug interactions for pomegranate juice.
Well, as mother nature has provided a path to the many diseases of today, it is only wise for all of you to be aware of the benefits of this wonderful product. Stay healthy and live healthily with pomegranate consumption.
