Pomegranate Health Benefits
DISCLAIMER: This article has been written for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
It is best known for its vibrant delicious juice, pomegranate is a powerhouse of natural phytochemicals that have potent antioxidant, disease-preventing, and anti-inflammatory properties. People have been aware of the health benefits of pomegranate for thousands of years which is why it held the status of the most mentioned fruit in spiritual books. Modern scientific studies are just discovering its versatile health benefits one by one over time.
Though researchers assume there are numerous health benefits of pomegranate that are yet to be proven, here we'll discuss some common pomegranate health benefits that we know so far. So, let’s get started.
Table of contents
What is a pomegranate?
Pomegranate health benefits
How to use pomegranate
Precautions and side effects
Final words
What is a pomegranate?
Pomegranate, botanically known as Punica granatum, is a fruit-bearing plant that primarily grows in the Mediterranean and Middle East regions and is used as a medicinal plant for thousands of years. The pomegranate plants produce red, round, tart fruits that are packed with red juicy seeds known as arils.
Pomegranate fruits are considered one of the healthiest fruits in the world. It is rich in antioxidants, around three times more than that present in green tea, and also packed in vital vitamins such as vitamin E, vitamin A, and vitamin C. This miraculous fruit possesses tremendous antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties.
Pomegranate health benefits
Pomegranate and the natural compounds it contains offer various health benefits ranging from improving overall health to fighting infections to increasing immune response. Punicic acid and punicalagin are two key components of pomegranate that are responsible for its wide range of health benefits.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common health benefits of pomegranate that are supported by scientific studies so far:
Inflammatory diseases
The antioxidants and vitamin C present in pomegranate have a significant ability to alleviate inflammations and thus, pomegranate extract can help with managing symptoms of various inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and diabetes.
A 2015 study published in the Drug Design, Development, and Therapy showed that vitamin C has the ability to reduce inflammatory status in diabetic obese individuals.
Cardiovascular diseases
Pomegranate shows tremendous vasculoprotective effects that can help reduce the risk of developing a number of cardiovascular diseases. Pomegranate extract or juice is packed with various potent flavonoids and antioxidants that have a significant ability to prevent and reduce damaging cells caused by free radicals that may cause a number of conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. It can reduce plaque build-ups and lower high blood pressure associated with cholesterol, making it highly useful in protecting heart health.
A 2017 randomized controlled trial (RCT) published in the Phytotherapy Research concluded that pomegranate has significant cardioprotective effects and can help with managing symptoms of ischemic heart disease such as chest pain or angina pectoris.
Urinary health
Pomegranate has been found to have positive effects in reducing the risks of developing kidney stones and supporting urinary health. Studies suggest pomegranate and the polyphenols compounds it contains have a promising role in the management and prevention of kidney stones.
A 2014 comparative pilot study published in the Urolithiasis suggested that administration of pomegranate extract can reduce the risk factors for stone formations in the kidneys by inhibiting the mechanism by which stones are formed.
Infections
The natural plant compounds found in pomegranate show excellent antimicrobial actions and may help combat various types of microorganisms such as fungi, yeast, or bacteria that cause different types of infection in the body.
Cancer prevention
Pomegranate extract, pomegranate seed oil, and fresh or fermented pomegranate juice exhibit significant anti-tumor activities against certain types of cancer particularly skin, breast, lung, and prostate cancers. Researchers have found positive responses that correlate pomegranate supplementation to inhibiting cell signal pathways in tumor cells that may produce cancer mitigation and prevention benefits.
How to use pomegranate
Pomegranate can be used in many different ways such as consuming fresh juices or taking pomegranate extract supplements. Standardized pomegranate extracts are more potent than the fruit itself.
Doses of pomegranate extracts are individual or may vary from person to person depending on specific health conditions and goals. However, common oral dosages range from 500 mg to 2000 mg per day that can be consumed in two to three divided doses throughout the day.
Precautions and side effects
Pomegranate is generally safe and well-tolerated for most people unless or until a person has a sensitivity to pomegranate plants. But the cases of allergic reactions are very rare. Symptoms of pomegranate sensitivity may include swelling skin, itching, difficulty breathing, and a runny nose.
Pomegranate may interact with certain prescribed medications, especially those that are related to heart and blood pressure or those that are broken by the liver. Therefore, people with blood pressure and heart issues should consult their healthcare professionals before starting pomegranate consumption.
Furthermore, it is important to stop pomegranate consumption at least two weeks before going through any surgery since it can affect blood pressure control and bleeding. It’s always the best idea to consult with a licensed nutritionist or naturopath prior to starting pomegranate supplements for any health reason.
Final words
Pomegranate has been valued for medicinal uses for thousands of years. The health benefits of pomegranate are countless and necessarily not possible to mention them all in one place. It can help with preventing and treating a range of health conditions such as inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, kidney stones, infections, and even certain types of cancer.
Though pomegranate is likely safe for most people, pregnant and breastfeeding women and people under medications, particularly related to heart and blood issues should obviously consider asking their healthcare specialist before starting pomegranate consumption.
Here you can see Vorst’s pure and natural Pomegrante 300 mg Raw Equivalent Vegan Capsules.
Important resources:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28913846/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25085198/
- https://minnetonkaorchards.com/pomegranate-health-benefits/https://minnetonkaorchards.com/pomegranate-health-benefits/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4007340/
- https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/diet/pomegranates-nutrition-health-benefits-how-eat-more/
- https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/food-nutrition-and-diet/6-surprising-health-benefits-of-pomegranates
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-proven-benefits-of-pomegranate#7.-May-have-antimicrobial-properties
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/diet/pomegranate-benefits/articleshow/60114168.cms
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318385#fa-qs
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-pomegranates