Reasons To Eat Or Drink Pomegranates

In addition to the beauty of their crimson seeds and the tart, delicious taste of their juice, pomegranates offer a host of health benefits. Although clinical research has not verified most of the claims about pomegranate's healing properties, you can enjoy the nutritional content of this versatile fruit along with its tangy flavor. The seeds, pulp and juice of the pomegranate are edible. The skin, rind and juice are combined in an extract that is marketed as a supplement. Consult your health care provider before using pomegranate as a supplement or drinking its juice for medicinal purposes.

Boosts the Immune System

Pomegranates are rich in vitamin C, which helps your immune system combat bacterial and viral infections. A single raw pomegranate can provide over 40 percent of your Daily Value of vitamin C. According to information from NutritionData.com, pomegranate juice does not offer the same burst of C as the raw fruit, which gives you a good reason to snack on its seeds. Pomegranates contain a family of phytonutrients called polyphenols, whose antioxidant properties can prevent acute infections as well as chronic disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Reduces Inflammation

Vitamin C and the antioxidant phytonutrients in pomegranates have anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe the swollen tissues associated with injury or infection. Flavonols, phytonutrients from the polyphenol family, may reduce the joint swelling and pain of osteoarthritis by inhibiting an enzyme that destroys joint cartilage, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. More research is required to verify that pomegranates are an effective treatment for arthritis.

Supports Cardiac Health

The polyphenols in pomegranate may support heart health by preventing the cardiovascular damage caused by LDL, a form of cholesterol that can block and harden arteries. A 2000 research study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrated that pomegranate juice inhibited the accumulation of fat in the coronary arteries of mice. Further research is needed to confirm that pomegranate offers a similar benefit to humans.

Prevents Cancer

Though clinical research has not proven that eating pomegranates can prevent cancer, the fruit's antioxidant content gives it the potential to reduce the harmful cellular changes that lead to tumor formation and growth. According to a report from the University of Michigan Health System, pomegranate juice may slow the progression of prostate cancer cells. Other studies have suggested that pomegranate juice may inhibit tumor growth in breast and lung tissues, as well, states the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Maintains Bone Density

Pomegranate fruit and juice are high in vitamin K, which is essential for binding calcium to bone cells, maintaining bone density and preventing the degenerative changes associated with osteoporosis. A raw pomegranate fruit provides 58 percent of your Daily Value of vitamin K, whereas a cup of bottled pomegranate juice offers 32 percent of the vitamin K you need daily.