Pomegranates are the fruit of the bush Punica granatum. The fruit is round, from 2.5 to 5 inches in diameter on average. The thick, leathery skin of the pomegranate is rich red in color and holds hundreds of seeds, or aril, which are surrounded by a fleshy, juicy red pulp. Pomegranates are high in antioxidants and are thought to be helpful in the prevention of heart disease and some types of cancer, including melanoma.
Antioxidant Content
Pomegranates contain high amounts of three different polyphenol antioxidants: tannins, anthocyanins and ellagic acid. These compounds help to protect cells and DNA from damage caused by free radicals. Naturally occurring free radicals are normal by-products of cellular metabolism.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer and begins in the skin's pigment, or melanin-producing cells. Melanoma usually begins in an area that gets regular exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun or a tanning bed. Most often, the signs of melanoma include changes in the appearance of an existing mole. While melanoma is not the most common form of skin cancer, it is the deadliest.
Pomegranate's Protective Effects
A 2008 study conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and published in the journal "Experimental Dermatology" found that pomegranate fruit juice was able to protect human skin cells exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The researchers credited pomegranate's protective effects to high levels of antioxidant activity, which counteracts some of the damage caused by UV exposure. A 2007 review in the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" reported that pomegranate exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, which may also contribute to the fruit's protective actions.
Prevention
The best way to cut your risk of developing melanoma is to take measures to protect your skin from UV exposure. You can limit the amount of exposure your skin gets by wearing clothing to cover the skin, applying sunscreen year-round and avoiding the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Melanoma is most treatable when diagnosed early, so be sure to consult your physician immediately if you notice any suspicious moles. Drinking pomegranate juice and eating pomegranate fruit may also contribute to preventing melanoma by means of the plant's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
References
- Purdue University; Pomegranate; Julia Morton; 1987
- Pomegranates.org; Pomegranates; 2007
- MayoClinic.com; Melanoma; June 2, 2010
- Skin Cancer Foundation: Melanoma
- "Experimental Dermatology"; Protective Effect of Pomegranate-derived Products on UVB-mediated Damage in Human Reconstituted Skin; Farrukh Afaq et al.; February 2009
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Punica granatum (pomegranate) and Its Potential for Prevention and Treatment of Inflammation and Cancer; Ephraim Lansky and Robert Newman; January 2007
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