Pomegranate Juice Vs. Pomegranate Extract

Both pomegranate juice and pomegranate extract have positive health properties. Pomegranate contains high levels of antioxidants linked to better heart health, stronger joints and even a reduced risk of cancer. Both the juice and the extract contain active antioxidant chemicals. When it comes to pomegranate juice versus pomegranate extract, your choice may depend on your tastes and budget.

Juice Studies

Several studies appear to show that pomegranate juice has noticeable health benefits. For example, a study published in "Clinical Cancer Research" in 2006 showed that men who drank 8 oz. of pomegranate juice daily slowed the increase of prostate-specific antigens -- a possible sign of prostate cancer. Similarly, a 2004 study published in "Clinical Nutrition" showed that patients who drank pomegranate juice for three years had reduced arterial wall thickness and lower blood pressure than participants who didn't drink the juice.

Extract Studies

Studies involving pomegranate extract show promising results. Gene Bruno, M.S., M.H.S., at the Huntington College of Health Sciences, reports that pomegranate extract slows the development of prostate cancer cells in mice -- and even inhibits human cancer cells in a test-tube environment. The signs point to the possibility that pomegranate extract may have some anti-cancer properties. According to a 2008 study published in "Nutrition," the pomegranate extract known as POMx appears to suppress the inflammatory symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Convenience and Cost

Pomegranate extract comes in small supplement pills. Depending on the brand and the dosage, you can take one per day and make a pack last for a month or more. They're easy to consume quickly alongside a meal or with a gulp of water. With pomegranate juice, you can either make your own or buy prepared juice in bottles. Juicing pomegranates takes time. However, store-bought pomegranate juice can be expensive -- particularly if you're drinking a bottle a day. So, in terms of cost and convenience, pomegranate extract wins out.

Considerations

You may enjoy the sweet, dry taste of pomegranate juice more than the relative tastelessness of a pill. However, pomegranate juice contains sugar. Some commercially available juices may have added sugar, which makes them potentially unsuitable for diabetics. The University of Maryland Medical Center points out that pregnant women should avoid pomegranate extract as it may contain pomegranate rind. But the juice is safe for pregnant women and most adults in doses as high as 12 oz. per day.