Pomegranate trees produce a fruit containing high levels of antioxidant compounds called polyphenols. Pomegranate fruit or its concentrated juice is used to treat a variety of health conditions, including high blood pressure and heart disease. Although pomegranate is generally safe and well-tolerated, it might cause allergic reactions in certain individuals and might interfere with the metabolism of several drugs in the liver. As with any health supplement, you should consult your doctor before using pomegranates or pomegranate juice as an alternative medicine.
Allergic Reactions
In rare cases, pomegranates can cause an allergic reaction. If you have allergies to other plants, you might also have an allergic reaction to pomegranates. Initial symptoms of an allergic reaction often include red, watery eyes and nasal congestion or runny nose. Itching, rashes or hives might break out on the skin, particularly around the face and neck. More severe symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping and pain, diarrhea, dizziness, heart palpitations and swelling of the face, neck, tongue, lips or eyes. Allergic reactions can cause difficulty breathing and become life-threatening if swelling of the tongue or neck causes constriction of the airways as a result of anaphylactic shock.
Blood Pressure
Consuming pomegranates or pomegranate juice can lower your blood pressure. Very low blood pressure can cause complications if you have surgery. You should not consume any pomegranates for at least two weeks before undergoing surgery, recommends MedlinePlus. Additionally, if you are taking medications to treat high blood pressure, the combined effect with pomegranates might cause your blood pressure to drop to dangerously low levels.
Danger in Roots
You should avoid pomegranate juice or pomegranate extract if you have diarrhea. The high levels of polyphenols that are concentrated in pomegranate juice and extract can potentially irritate your gastrointestinal system. Pomegranate juice, especially with added sugar, can cause problems in regulating blood sugar for patients with diabetes. Pregnant women should avoid concentrated pomegranate extract, which might contain traces of pomegranate root. The root of pomegranate contains chemicals that might be poisonous and harmful to an unborn fetus, explains MedlinePlus.
Drug Interactions
Similar to grapefruit juice, pomegranate juice inhibits the activity of enzymes in the liver belonging to the cytochrome P450 family. These enzymes are responsible for the metabolism of numerous medications, including painkillers such as ibuprofen and codeine, the statin family of cholesterol medications and many others, including verapamil, Prozac, tamoxifen, warfarin and tolbutamide. Drinking pomegranate juice while taking these medications can cause them to remain in the body for much longer than usual, which can increase the risk of side effects or interactions with other drugs.
Member Comments