Pomegranates are red fruits that are round in shape. They have white inner flesh that is densely packed with crunchy, juicy edible arils.
They may be best known for the vibrantly colored juice in which they are frequently used, but these extraordinary fruits have much more to offer.
Pomegranates are worth including in your healthy eating routine because they have the potential to support many aspects of health, from immunity to brain health. 5 health benefits of pomegranates are listed below.
1. Pomegranate juice may help to improve prostate cancer treatment
A study has found that men treated for prostate cancer that drank an eight-ounce glass of pomegranate juice every day experienced an increase in the period during which PSA levels remained stable by almost 4 times.
The study participants were 50 men who had undergone or surgery but experienced a quick increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which PSA is a biomarker indicating the presence of cancer.
“Doubling time,” is the time it takes for PSA levels to double, which is an important signal in prostate cancer that indicates that the cancer is progressing. Patients with short doubling times have more chance of dying from the cancer. The doubling times observed in the study increased from the average doubling time of 15 months to 54 months.
Other research has shown that pomegranate extract may slow proliferation of prostate cancer cells by inducing apoptosis.
2. Pomegranates may help to fight inflammation
Pomegranates have potent anti-inflammatory properties, and extract of pomegranate is used in alternative medicine for treating inflammatory conditions.
A study has shown that the ingestion of pomegranate extract can help reduce the production of chemicals that result in inflammation. The results suggest that pomegranate extract could provide relief for chronic inflammatory conditions.
Other research has shown that individuals with diabetes who consumed 250 ml of pomegranate juice daily experienced a reduction in the inflammatory markers interleukin-6 and CRP.
3. Pomegranate may help to slow degradation of cartilage in osteoarthritis
Current osteoarthritis treatments provide limited efficacy and do little to slow disease progression and joint destruction. Pomegranate has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that can be a potentially beneficial therapy for treating a variety of diseases.
According to a study, pomegranate extract can block the enzymes that contribute to osteoarthritis. The study examined the efficacy of pomegranate extract against the pro-inflammatory protein molecule Interleukin-1b (IL-1b), which plays a significant part in osteoarthritis cartilage degradation.
The IL-1b protein molecules overproduce other inflammatory molecules which include matrix metalloproteases (MMP), tightly regulated enzymes needed for the remodeling of tissue. MMP degrades the cartilage when overproduced which results in the destruction and damage of joints.
The study results suggest that pomegranate inhibits the overproduction of MMP enzymes in cartilage cells.
4. Pomegranates may help to reduce the risk of heart disease
Research has shown that pomegranate juice may improve the levels of inflammatory markers for heart disease. For the study, pomegranate juice was given to rats that had been placed on a high-calorie, obesity-inducing diet.
The researchers then measured for physiological markers indicating conditions related to the heart such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and inflammation.
The results revealed that pomegranate juice reduced the concentration of bad LDL cholesterol by 39%, and increased good HDL cholesterol by 27%, thereby reducing cardiovascular disease risk by 12% – 18%.
The rats also experienced a blood pressure reduction of 24% as well as a decrease in blood vessel inflammation levels.
Another study found that individuals with elevated triglyceride levels taking 800n mg of pomegranate seed oil daily experienced a significant reduction in triglycerides as well as an improvement in the triglyceride to HDL ratio.
5. Pomegranates may help to reduce high blood pressure
Pomegranate juice reduces blood pressure by acting as an ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor. Medications for reducing high blood pressure such as lisinopril are ACE inhibitors and function by reducing the activity of angiotensin, a peptide hormone that causes an increase in blood pressure.
The inhibition of ACE helps the blood vessels to relax and open up, thereby reducing blood pressure which allows more oxygen and blood to get to the heart.
Another study found that individuals with high blood pressure significantly reduced blood pressure after consuming 150 ml of pomegranate juice each day for 2 weeks.
ALSO READ: 5 Health Benefits Of Walnuts
