Nutritional Information For Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate fruit is well known for its powerful nutritive and antioxidant properties. The use as a medical remedy for various diseases dates back to ancient times. Its juice, most commonly extracted from the "Wonderful" variety, is now marketed for its sweet taste and abundance of health benefits. According to Alternative Medicine Review, research shows the fruit's effectiveness in subjects with breast and prostate cancer, heart disease, obesity and improved glucose control in individuals with diabetes.

Antioxidant Vitamins

Pomegranate contains several vitamins that act as antioxidants in the body. Vitamins A, C and E, all present in its juice, scavenge free radicals that can cause cellular damage to the body. This helps prevent early physical signs of aging, cancer or heart disease. Studies also found that the antioxidant level in pomegranate juice is up to three times higher than that of green tea or red wine. Juice commercially bottled may have lower levels of vitamin C as it is easily destroyed during the pasteurization process.

Flavonoids

In addition its essential vitamins such as vitamin C, pomegranate is rich in flavonoids. Flavonoids possess antioxidant capabilities and act as a natural blood thinner by inhibiting excessive blood cell clotting. Some of the flavonoids present in pomegranate also act as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents. Pomegranate juice's flavonoid content helps lower cholesterol, and is theorized to prevent cholesterol synthesis in the liver. According to the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology," the greater the intake of dietary flavonoids from pomegranate, the smaller the risk of acquiring heart disease, especially in elderly men.

Tannins

Tea and red wine contain tannins but are especially concentrated in pomegranate. These compounds contribute to pomegranate juice's astringent taste. The tannin, punicalagin, makes up the bulk of the antioxidant power in the juice. It can make up as much as 2 g per 1 liter of juice. Punicalagin, like flavonoids, has great antioxidant power against heart disease and prevents uncontrolled cancer cell growth. Aside from their many health benefits, tannins act as an antimicrobial, disrupting bacteria formation.

Fatty Acids

Pomegranate juice contains some beneficial fatty acids that originate from the fruit's many seeds. About 80 percent of pomegranate's fatty acid content is made up of punicic acid, which has become a focus of research in cardiovascular health. Punicic acid also appears to benefit prostate and breast cancer, and even may alleviate type 2 diabetes and obesity, according to the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Because of this, pomegranate seed oil in particular has become a growing focus in the supplement industry. Further research, however, is needed to confirm these findings.

Safety of Pomegranate Juice

Although pomegranate juice has become extremely popular in health foods market and causes few side effects for most, but an excess of the juice may cause unpleasant side effects in some. A common allergic reaction is swelling of the lips and tongue. Pomegranate juice helps lower blood pressure, so should not be taken in excessive amounts in conjunction with hypertension medications. If you are currently taking such medications, check with your doctor before starting routine consumption of pomegranate juice.