Pomegranates are often overlooked as an exotic and difficult to eat fruit. Deborah Mitchell and Winifred Conkling, authors of "The Complete Book of Nutritional Healing," suggest that pomegranate juice may offer several health benefits. Adding a serving of pomegranate juice to your daily diet will help you reach your recommended fruit intake and may also protect you from several diseases and illnesses as well.
May Prevent Cancer
Pomegranate juice contains several potent antioxidants, report Mitchell and Conkling, that may protect your body from getting cancer. Men may benefit from the reduced risk of prostate cancer when they consume at least 8 oz. of pomegranate juice each day. Men who drink pomegranate juice on a daily basis have a 12 percent decrease in cancer cell growth and a 17 percent increase in the destruction of cancer cells, add Mitchell and Conkling. Pomegranate juice may have similar results with breast cancer. A substance in pomegranate juice may prevent breast cancer cells from growing. Regular consumption of pomegranate juice may help prevent other types of cancer from growing and spreading as well.
May Reduce Cholesterol
Heart disease is a growing health problem, but Marwan Sabbagh, author of "The Alzheimer's Answer: Reduce Your Risk and Keep Your Brain Healthy," suggests that drinking pomegranate juice on a daily basis may reduce your blood cholesterol levels so you can improve the health of your heart. Sabbagh also reports that drinking pomegranate juice has the potential to reverse the hardening of your arteries, which will also help improve the health of your heart so you can reduce your risk of heart attack. Sabbagh suggests that replacing one alcoholic drink per day with an 8-oz. glass of pomegranate juice may help you improve the health of your heart.
Provides Important Vitamins And Minerals
Fruit juices without added ingredients are one way to reach your recommended servings of fruit each day. Pomegranate juice is a healthy choice, says Michael Ozner, author of "The Great American Heart Hoax: Lifesaving Advice Your Doctor Should Tell You About Heart Disease Prevention (But Probably Never Will)," because it supplies a dose of vitamin C and potassium. Vitamin C aids in the prevention of infections, such as the common cold or the flu. Potassium is an essential mineral for heart health because it helps regulate your blood pressure and helps keep your heart pumping normally. Potassium is also necessary to keep your blood pressure at a healthy number, adds Ozner.
References
- "Complete Book of Nutritional Healing: Deborah Mitchell and Winifred Conkling; 2008
- "The Alzheimer's Answer: Reduce Your Risk and Keep Your Brain Healthy"; Marwan Sabbagh; 2009
- "The Great American Heart Hoax: Lifesaving Advice Your Doctor Should Tell You About Heart Disease Prevention (But Probably Never Will)"; Michael Ozner; 2010
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