Pomegranate juice is derived from the nutritious, antioxidant-rich pomegranate fruit. Though it has been touted a miracle beverage, research studies have yet to confirm that this juice is a cure-all. However, pomegranate juice does offer many health benefits. It is rich in vitamins and polyphenols (antioxidant chemicals found in plants) and may help prevent clogged arteries (which lead to atherosclerosis), reduce blood pressure, fight cancer and preserve cognitive function.
Cardiovascular Benefits
Pomegranate juice is considered a heart-healthy beverage for several reasons. It is rich in polyphenols, which act as powerful antioxidants. These plant chemicals protect body cells against damage caused by free radicals (charged atoms that may contribute to tissue damage and come from many sources including pollution). When low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or bad cholesterol) is exposed to free radicals, it becomes oxidized, which results in the LDL forming plaque that adheres to artery walls and contributes to heart disease. The same antioxidant compounds significantly reduce blood pressure decreasing the risk of stroke.
Cancer-Fighting Benefits
The juice, peel and oil of this fruit possess especially strong anticancer properties. They interfere with cancer on a cellular level, decreasing tumor cell production, invasion and multiplication. Pomegranate juice offers the highest concentration of ellagitannins, or ellagic acid (also found in raspberries), a type of polyphenol that offers many health benefits and is a strong antioxidant. Ellagic acid is particularly beneficial for fighting prostate cancer. Ellagic acid decreases the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. One 8-oz. glass of pomegranate juice slows the increase of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in men who have had surgery or radiation therapy for prostate cancer.
A Smart Juice
Pomegranate juice is also rich in another phytochemical group called anthocyanins. They are responsible for the red hue of many fruits and vegetables but offer far more than color. Anthocyanins help protect the brain from age-related cognitive decline and improve working memory. A 250 ml (8-oz) glass of pomegranate juice provides approximately 50 percent of the Recommended Daily Value (DV) for the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E. These nutrients are essential for protecting the brain from oxidative stress (oxidative stress contributes to age-related brain function decline). In addition, they strengthen the immune system.
References
- Nutrition Reviews; Pomegranate juice: a heart-healthy fruit juice; A Basu and K Penugonda; Jan 2009
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology; Punica granatum (pomegranate) and its potential for prevention and treatment of inflammation and cancer; EP Lansky and RA Newman; Jan 2007
- Journal of Agricultural Food and Chemistry; Antioxidant activities of pomegranate fruit extract and its anthocyanidins: delphinidin, cyanidin, and pelargonidin; Y Noda et al.; 2002
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