Pomegranate juice is a healthy beverage that contains many beneficial vitamins and micronutrients. It is also high in polyphenols, a class of compounds that act as antioxidants. These molecules protect tissues in the body from free radicals and other types of damage. Pomegranate juice does not contain resveratrol, one specific type of polyphenol.
Benefits of Polyphenols
Polyphenols are plant-based compounds with numerous health benefits. Pomegranate juice contains some of the highest levels of polyphenols of any food. The juice itself has been shown to act against bacterial infection, protect from atherosclerotic plaques and reduce the high rates of cell growth associated with tumors. A diet high in polyphenol-rich foods also protects against brain injury and Alzheimer's disease.
Resveratrol Benefits
Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol in the stilbene family. Perhaps the most famous health effect of resveratrol is the so-called "French effect," which suggests that the high amount of resveratrol in red wine helps to prevent heart disease. In addition to its cardiovascular benefits, resveratrol may inhibit the growth of cancer cells in animals, but studies are still underway to determine whether the compound is effective against human cancers. In the brain, resveratrol may aid in the prevention of dementia and may protect from hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonates.
Resveratrol in Foods
Grapes, wine, grape juice, peanuts, blueberries, bilberries and cranberries all contain resveratrol. In grapes, the compound is only in the skins. Red wine is higher in resveratrol than white or rose wines, since the grape skins remain in contact with the wine for a longer period of time. Red or purple grape juices may also contain high amounts of resveratrol. The amount of resveratrol in wine or grape juice may vary significantly depending on the type of grape, the geographical area from which it is harvested and seasonal conditions.
Resveratrol Supplements
Resveratrol is sold as a dietary supplement. The supplements are typically produced from the root of the Polygonum cuspidatum plant, also known as Hu Zhang or kojo-kon. A pill or capsule may contain between 10 and 50 mg of resveratrol. However, there are no guidelines as to the appropriate doses of the compound for the prevention of disease. In addition, the safety of resveratrol supplements has not been established for pregnant or lactating women. Speak to your doctor before supplementing your diet with resveratrol.
References
- Developmental Neuroscience: "Pomegranate Polyphenols and Resveratrol Protect the Neonatal Brain Against Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury" by West, Atzeva and Holtzman
- Journal of Food Science: "Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Juices: Chemical Composition, Micronutrient Cations, and Antioxidant Capacity" by El Kar C, Ferchichi A, Attia F, Bouajila J.
- Oregon State University: Linus Pauling Micronutrient Research Center: Resveratrol
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