Besides tasting great, pomegranate juice provides a number of possible health benefits. Although more research still needs to be done before conclusively claiming the effects as a given, studies suggest that the juice of pomegranate can help reduce the risks of heart disease, fight against certain kinds of cancer and provide needed nutrients for your body.
Does Pomegranate Juice Really Have Heart Health Benefits?
In clinical trials, pomegranate juice has been shown to positively affect a number of factors that keep your heart and blood vessels functioning well. Here’s a quick look at just some of the great benefits of pomegranate juice.
Improved blood flow for those with heart disease
When observing patients who had already been diagnosed with a certain type of heart disease that prevents enough blood from reaching the heart, researchers had some participants drink eight ounces of pomegranate juice everyday for three months to test the effects. At the end of the three months, blood flow had improved for those who had consumed the juice daily while the situations of those who didn’t drink the juice continued to worsen.
Reduced levels of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream
Although the study just mentioned dealt specifically with those already diagnosed with heart disease, research suggests that the juice can help prevent future problems for those who do not have a pre-existing heart condition. Pomegranate juice may help everyone in reversing LDL oxidation, effectively decreasing the amount of LDL cholesterol in your body and reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease. The juice helps prevent the cholesterol from building up and may even be able to decrease the plaque that has already been accumulating on the vessel walls and lower your systolic blood pressure.
What Affect Does Pomegranate Juice Have On Cancer Cells?
Pomegranate juice is not a stand-alone cancer treatment by any means, but the natural liquid may be able to help slow down the growth rate of cancerous tumors and even destroy cancer cells.
Lengthening the doubling time
In the world of tumor growth, having a longer doubling time means a tumor is growing slower. In studies, pomegranate juice has helped mice grow drastically smaller tumors than their untreated counterparts and has helped men with prostate cancer have a significantly lengthened doubling time.
Destroying cancer cells
While slowing the growth of cancer cells, pomegranate juice can actually even promote cellular death in some cases, initiating a self-destruction process for the unwanted disease. Lab studies so far have shown the juice to have a positive influence on cancer cells found in the breast, prostate and colon. Much more research is still needed to understand this process better and what it can mean for cancer patients throughout the world.
What Kinds Of Antioxidants, Vitamins And Minerals Are In Pomegranate Juice?
Pomegranates are high in antioxidants including polyphenols like tannins and anthocyanins and the fruit also contains complex sugars and fatty acids, which work together to produce anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, cell-regenerating and immune-boosting effects. Even among other great drinks, pomegranate juice is an especially rich source of antioxidants, providing more power than notable alternatives such as cranberry juice and green tea. Nature’s healthy fruit also provides a good helping of vitamin C, vitamin B6 and potassium as well as iron, thiamine, riboflavin, folate, vitamin K and zinc for your body’s overall health.
Is Pomegranate Juice Safe For Everyone To Drink?
Although many people can increase their pomegranate juice consumption to a daily occurrence without any trouble, some individuals are actually better off not using the drink as a regular dietary supplement. If you are unsure what’s best given your specific circumstances, don’t hesitate to do your research and consult a medical expert.
The juice can negatively interact with medications
Much like grapefruit juice and some herbal supplements can, pomegranate juice has the ability to negatively interact with some medications and interfere with their efficacy, leaving you exposed to the pain or problem your medication is supposed to be treating. In some cases, the juice and drug interaction can even have dangerous side effects. If you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter products, it’s safest to talk with your doctor about what drinking pomegranate juice everyday may do in your particular circumstances. Even if you have occasionally consumed a glass here or there in the past without any problems, incorporating the juice as a regular dietary supplement can have different effects on your body so consult with a medical professional first.
The juice can mask symptoms for a more difficult health diagnosis
If you are not on any medications but still have a serious health condition, check with your doctor about your situation before self-medicating with pomegranate juice. If you have a disease that requires a more targeted approach for treatment, you may end up masking your symptoms with the juice and making it harder down the road for a medical professional to identify what’s really going on with your body. If you suspect you’ll need a visit with a doctor about your problem, go ahead and set up your appointment first before drinking a daily serving of juice for a month or two.
What Kind Of Pomegranate Juice Is Best?
Not all pomegranate juices are the same. Accordingly, not all juices containing pomegranate will provide the same health benefits so shop wisely and do your research about products and brands.
Pure pomegranate juice and not simply a juice cocktail featuring pomegranate
In clinical trials, participants drink pure pomegranate juice rather than a juice cocktail or blend that simply contains pomegranate as one of many fruits. The concentration of pomegranate juice within the beverage matters to ensure you’re getting enough of the components that make pomegranate have health benefits without any add-ons that can be disruptive. A combination of juices can decrease the power pomegranate itself has and limit the positive effects.
Unsweetened juice with no artificial add-ins
Added ingredients like sugar can pack on the calories and interfere with vascular improvement, reducing the positive effects pomegranate juice has to offer. Artificial mix-ins like sweeteners, colors and dyes can also decrease the juice’s natural ability to provide health benefits so stick to an all-natural juice or concentrate that you mix in with water yourself.
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