Pomegranates -- a red, shrub-grown fruit -- have begun to gain prevalence in the American marketplace. Used for years in folk medicine to treat a range of ailments, pomegranates are now marketed as a "superfruit" for their nutritional properties. Pomegranate juice contains a range of nutrients that can prove beneficial to the body, and consuming the juice has a number of possible effects on your health.
Decreased Risk of Heart Disease
One potential side effect of drinking pomegranate juice is a decreased risk of heart disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Pomegranates contain polyphenols -- a class of chemicals that act as antioxidants within your body. Polyphenols protect against free-radical tissue damage, which is thought to contribute to heart disease. The UMMC indicates that while the effects of pomegranate juice on humans is limited, the polyphenols in pomegranates may prevent the accumulation of harmful plaque deposits in your arteries, possibly preventing the development of atherosclerosis. Pomegranate juice may also improve blood flow, potentially allowing your heart to work more efficiently and preventing heart disease.
Cancer Prevention
Drinking pomegranate juice may also help protect against certain forms of cancer. Cancer development relies on the accumulation of genetic mutations within your cells and tissues. Over time, these progressive genetic mutations can change your cells' behavior, leading to cancer development. Free radicals contribute to cancer development by increasing the rate of genetic mutations in your cells. By neutralizing free radicals, pomegranate juice may help reduce the risk of cancer, although this has not yet been definitively shown in humans.
The University of California indicates that drinking pomegranate juice can prove beneficial for men diagnosed with prostate cancer, and regularly consuming pomegranate juice helped normalize men's PSA levels -- a measure of prostate cancer development -- following cancer treatment. While further research is required to more definitely link pomegranate juice to decreased cancer risk, consuming the juice may prove beneficial in preventing or controlling some forms of cancer.
Increased Blood Sugar
One potentially negative side effect of pomegranate juice consumption occurs due to its sugar content. Like many fruits, pomegranates contain high amounts of a naturally occurring sugar, fructose. Following the consumption of pomegranate juice, your body quickly absorbs sugar from the juice, leading to an increase in your blood sugar level. If you suffer from blood sugar-related diseases, such as diabetes, monitor your juice intake -- including your intake of pomegranate juice, recommends the University of Illinois. When selecting pomegranate juice, select products that do not contain added sugar, and consult with a physician before regularly consuming pomegranate juice.
