Health Benefits of Pomegranate Juice

The health benefits of pomegranate juice include cardiovascular benefits, cancer prevention, and much more.

Pomegranates (Punica granatum) come from a tall shrub or tree that grows in the Mediterranean and Caucus regions of the world. It’s a popular fruit in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, India, Africa and nearby countries. The Spanish Conquistadors spread the pomegranate to Latin America in the late 1700’s, and the fruit is now cultivated throughout South America, as well as in America in California and Arizona. In North America, pomegranate is “in season” from September through May and may be found in supermarkets nationwide.

Many people wonder how to eat a pomegranate. If you’re intimidated, even after reading instructions on how to enjoy the fruit, you can purchase pomegranate juice. Many manufacturers mix pomegranate juice with other powerful fruit juices, like cranberry and blueberry, for added health benefits. And no, grenadine syrup, which is made from thickened pomegranate syrup and typically added to alcoholic cocktails, doesn’t count!

When you consider that over $25 million has been spent on medical research related to pomegranate fruit, it’s no wonder that among all the various fruits, juices and vegetables promoted as the next health miracle, pomegranates stand out for their scientifically-backed health claims.

While pomegranate juice provides specific health benefits with demonstrated results, it’s also a nutritional powerhouse. Each glass of pomegranate juice is packed with vitamin C. It also contains significant amounts of potassium and folate, which are also beneficial to heart health.

Pomegranates are about the size of a softball and a rich, ruby red color. The color is important to note. Fruits like the acai berry and grapes contain potent antioxidants in their rich coloring. The tannins and anthocyanins reputedly buffer against numerous cardiovascular problems. In laboratory experiments, the form of tannins in pomegranate juice called punicalagins has demonstrated its ability to act as a free radical scavenger and mop up free radicals, thought to be a precursor to cancer.

Much of the research on the health benefits of pomegranate juice points to its effects upon cardiovascular health. Pomegranate juice provides several benefits for cardiovascular health. These include:

• Reduces LDL (“bad”) cholesterol: A study in the journal Clinical Nutrition demonstrates that over a period of three years, patients who consume pomegranate juice reduced their ratio of bad LDL cholesterol. Other studies also demonstrate improvements in overall blood cholesterol numbers and in the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood.
• Thins the blood: Many patients with cardiovascular problems are put on blood-thinning medications such as Coumadin. These medications don’t actually make your blood thinner. They work by decreasing the clotting factor to make it more difficult for dangerous blood clots to form, and also make it easier for blood to pass through constricted arteries. The same study cited above in the journal Clinical Nutrition points to an Israeli study with 19 participants that demonstrated this effect of pomegranate juice.
• Lowers blood pressure: Yet another benefit of pomegranate juice is its effect on blood pressure. The journal Atherosclerosis reports that pomegranate juice reduces angiotensin converting enzyme activity and thus lowers blood pressure. Some blood pressure medications, called ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors, already work in a similar fashion through chemical means. The hope is that pomegranate juice may provide a natural, plant-based remedy.

Among pomegranate juice’s scientifically-backed research is research into its cancer prevention properties. From the tannins in the juice to its effect upon the immune system, pomegranate juice appears to boost the body’s own natural defenses against cancer. Although these studies are not as conclusive as those demonstrating cardiovascular benefits, they do promise new avenues in the fight against cancer.

Pomegranate juice not only acts upon the enzymes responsible for creating a certain form of high blood pressure, it also appears to act upon enzymes responsible for the pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis. Herbal treatments for arthritis and other holistic treatments often call for dietary changes and additions. Pomegranate juice is an easy way to add a healthful cocktail to your daily foods and beverages that may reduce painful arthritic flare-ups.

According to the POM Wonderful website, makers of pomegranate juice, a 2007 study in the journal Impotence Research indicates that pomegranate juice may be effective in improving blood flow throughout the body, a benefit of special importance to men who suffer from impotence. Other natural cures for impotence include vitamins for erectile dysfunction.

Whether you’re seeking to improve your health or just like the taste of it, the many health claims for pomegranate juice appear to be backed up by some exciting scientific research.

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