Pomegranate for Hair Growth
Disclaimer: This content has been produced purely for informational and educational purposes only and is never intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical guidelines including diagnosis, advice, and treatment.
Pomegranate has been used in cuisine to add flavor and zest to a number of dishes. It has bioactive compounds such as antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals which encourage hair growth and boost skin and overall health. An antioxidant, punicic acid, present in pomegranate strengthens hair follicles and stimulates hair growth.
This article details pomegranate benefits for hair growth, other potential benefits, and possible risks associated with overconsumption.
What is Pomegranate?
Pomegranates are round fruits obtained from the plant biologically known as Punica granatum. They have traditionally been used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for the treatment of various diseases and are considered as “fruit of life.” Fruits are enriched in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fibers which are highly beneficial for overall health and well-being.
Years ago, pomegranates were widely known for enjoying their delicious and refreshing juice. Studies were conducted for the pomegranate extract and seed oil to evaluate the effects on health.
Pomegranate seed oil was extracted from seeds through cold pressing and has promising effects on hair health. Pomegranate seed oil and extract are packed with antioxidants and other bioactive compounds like ellagic acid used for numerous medicinal purposes.
Is Pomegranate Effective for Hair Health?
Hair comes from the ectoderm of skin and is the essential bodily element that is regarded as the body’s defensive appendages for humans and animals. Keratin, a kind of protein generated by hair follicles in the skin's outer layer, is the primary component of hair.
Numerous plants, herbs, and herbal preparations have been claimed to promote hair development and enhance hair quality in the traditional Indian medical system. Plant extracts and herbs have long been touted as having efficacious uses in treating hair loss in eastern medicine.
Depending on these traditional applications for the herbs, several studies were conducted to evaluate the hair growth-promoting and anti-dandruff properties of the extract of Pomegranate.
How Does It Work?
Provide Strength to Hair Follicles
Pomegranate seeds possess punicic acid, which is known to have the potential to strengthen hair follicles and provide healthy blood flow to the scalp. It works by providing your hair's natural oils and reducing hair breakage, it may also promote hair development. Additionally, the high antioxidant levels encourage hair development and prevent hair loss. To enhance the general health of your hair, you may either apply pomegranate seed oil to your scalp and hair or just swallow a modest number of pomegranate seeds each day.
Help with Dry and Frizzy Hair
When it comes to treating coarse, frizzy, and tangled hair, pomegranate oil for hair has several advantages. Environmental toxins and bad lifestyle choices can damage hair follicles, and it becomes essential to get a hot oil massage once a week. Your scalp and hair shaft is deeply conditioned with pomegranate oil, giving the appearance of smooth, manageable, and healthy hair. Pomegranate juice may also be applied to your scalp every other day since it soothes and moisturizes the excessively dry and irritated scalp.
May Soothe Irritated Scalp
Punicic acid, a compound present in pomegranate seeds and possesses anti-inflammatory qualities that can help calm an itchy scalp. Additionally, it has anti-fungal properties that might aid persons with scalp conditions like dandruff.
Promote Hair Thickness
Pomegranate juice applied directly to the scalp helps support hair follicles, promote hair growth, and maintain a healthy, clean scalp. resulting in a head of hair that is thicker. After moisturizing treatments, you may apply it directly to your hair. The hair and scalp are deeply nourished and sealed in as it may also improve blood circulation to the scalp. This method of using pomegranate seed oil will result in thicker and healthier hair.
May Prevent Hair Breakage
Pomegranate seed oil is blended with other nutritious oil and applied on hair to strengthen hair follicles and prevent hair breakage. Massage the scalp after blending with jojoba and coconut oils. This mixture may also be used as a hair mask for the evening and removed the next day.
May Promote Skin Health
Pomegranates are packed with antioxidants that help fight free radicals, reduce oxidative stress, prevent cellular damage, and delay aging. The anti-inflammatory properties of pomegranate help relieve inflammation beneath the skin and reduce the risk of skin diseases such as acne, eczema, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation.
Vitamin C present in pomegranate brightens and rejuvenates the skin. Various skincare products are available with pomegranate extract which nourishes the skin and leaves youthful and glowy skin.
Improve Heart Health
Pomegranate is an excellent source of antioxidants and polyphenolic compounds that help boost heart health. Studies showed that pomegranate extract can reduce inflammation, regulate blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and combats atherosclerosis.
May Increase Exercise Performance
Pomegranate polyphenols may boost exercise endurance or the amount of time you can engage in physical activity before becoming fatigued.
One human study discovered that consuming just 1 gram of pomegranate extract 30 minutes before jogging lengthened the amount of time it took to reach tiredness by 12%. Research revealed that pomegranate supplements can enhance both exercise endurance and muscle repair.
Improve Sexual Performance and Fertility
Pomegranates have been used to improve fertility and sexual performance. Pomegranate may be able to assist enhance fertility, thanks to its antioxidant content. Older research indicates that oxidative stress might cause male sperm malfunction and female infertility. Pomegranate juice consumption may improve the quality and motility of sperm.
Encourage Wound Healing
Some studies have utilized pomegranate flowers and extract to treat wounds, reporting a considerable reduction in the size of lesions after treatment. In addition, regenerated skin with a well-defined structure was observed in this study. Moreover, the skin possessed a small number of inflammatory cells.
Improve Brain Health
An older study suggests that pomegranate juice might help with learning and memory. 32 participants in the research drank either 8 ounces of pomegranate juice or another beverage every day for 8 weeks. Results revealed that individuals who took pomegranate showed improved memory scores after 4 weeks of consumption. MRI scans throughout these examinations also showed increased brain activity.
Possible Risks or Side Effects
Pomegranate is considered safe and well tolerated however, its roots, stem, and peel may cause some undesirable effects. Pomegranate may cause some digestive problems like diarrhea and some people may develop allergic reactions to it.
Pomegranate juice is safe during pregnancy however advice should be taken before using supplements on regular basis.
Bottom Line
Pomegranate fruit is a good source of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fibers which help promote immunity. They help improve skin and hair health, boost immunity and promote digestive, heart, and brain health. Pomegranates contain low calories and help promote weight loss.
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References
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0733863518307289
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002561961161759X
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8100084/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28867799/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28608832/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27888156/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25051173/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30350760/
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/pomegranate
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4007340/