The Health Benefits Of Pomegranate

Protected by a tough leathery skin, the inside of a pomegranate is full of seeds covered in a fleshy and juicy pulp. The crunchy texture surrounded by sweet red fruit is a healthy and hearty snack. Pomegranate juice can be purchased year round when pomegranates are out of season. Both the pomegranate fruit and the juice contain nutrients which are being studied for their effects on cancer, the heart and promoting longevity.

Historical Uses

Containing a higher antioxidant content than red wine or green tea, pomegranates have been used throughout history for medicinal purposes. The Chinese believed the pomegranate promotes longevity and fertility and is used extensively in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Symbolic of eternal life in ancient Egyptian society, pomegranates were a valued food used to fight intestinal worms and other ailments in many cultures around the world.

Nutrients

Free of saturated fat and cholesterol, pomegranates are high in vitamins C and K. Containing 11 grams per serving, pomegranates are high in dietary fiber which benefits the digestive system. However, the one drawback is that due to the natural fructose content of pomegranates, they contain 53 grams of carbohydrates per serving and 234 calories. This means that one could easily get too many carbohydrates in the diet if eating pomegranates daily.

For the Heart

According to Dr. Thomas Behrenbeck of the Mayo Clinic, preliminary evidence shows that cholesterol levels may be reduced through the consumption of pomegranate fruit or its juice. Dr. Behrenbeck credits this to pomegranates unique combination of polyphenols which appear to lower LDL or "bad" cholesterol in the blood which ultimately benefits the heart.

Prostate Cancer

According to Dr. Eric Castle of the Mayo Clinic, drinking pomegranate juice may slow the progression of prostate cancer. Although more research is needed, it appears that drinking 8 oz. of pomegranate juice daily may double the time it takes for a recurrence of prostate cancer after surgery.

Lung Cancer

According to Hasan Mukhtar of the Cancer Chemoprevention Program at the University of Wisconsin, drinking pomegranate juice slows the growth of lung cancer in mice. Mukhtar credits this to pomegranate's natural anti-inflammatory properties which are due to its high antioxidant content. He believes that eating pomegranates in combination with other fruits and vegetables is the key to slowing the development of cancer including lung cancer.