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Red "Apple" of the Crescent

This fruit, common to southern Europe and the Mediterranean, may reduce cholesterol. In the June issue of Clinical Nutrition, researchers published a clinical study that drinking one single glass of fresh pomegranate juice everyday for a year also reduced blood pressure and slowed down LDL oxidation.

Pomegranate arils, the tiny juicy seeds inside the fruit, also carry a nutritional punch. They provide up to 16% of an adult's vitamin-C requirement and are also a good source of vitamin-B5, pantothentic acid, potassium, and antioxidants called polypenols.

In laboratory experiments these polyphenols are tannins called punicalagins. They have free radical scavaging properties. Results are inconclusive, but these antioxidants are absorbed by the human body. Other antioxidants include beta-carotene, catechins, gallocatachins, and anthocyanins (such as prodelphinidins, delphinind, cyamadin, and pelargonidins.)

While the ORAC value of pomegranate juice is considered moderate compared to that of other fruits, herbs, and spices (a mere 2,860 units per 100 grams), the juice has a high water content and can be highly concentrated by freeze drying. Thus, delivering a whallop of ORAC units.

Use in the Food Industry

Many companies take advantage of pomegranate phenolic acid extracts, using them as additives to their products instead of juice. Just one of these extracts, ellagic acid, is a very potent antioxidant, but only becomes bioavailable after the metabolization of the parent molecule punicalagins. However, since ellagic acid concentrate does not accumulate in human blood and is quickly excreted, researchers do not know if it has any lasting effects.

Healthy-Granate

In pilot studies, pomegranate juice was effective in reducing heart disease risk factors, including the dangerous LDL oxidation, macrophage, oxidate status, and foam cell formation. All of these are dangerous steps in the human body towards atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.

Further, the juice seems to inhibit the serum angiotensin-converting enzyme, which reduces blood pressure effectively, may inhibit viral infections and promote dental health by acting as an antibacterial in the mouth.

Anti-parasitical properties have also been found as the root bark is used to treat intestinal parasites, mainly the tape worm. The alkaloids act as a narcotic to the worms causing them to be expelled. Since these alkaloids are extrememly toxic, they should not be used for self-medication.

The antioxidant ellegic acid has also been found, in research studies, as a possible cancer fighter since it seems to have anti-carcinogenic, anti-atherogenic and antifibrosis activity.

UV skin pigmentation has been slowed, halted, and reversed when the ellgic acid was administered orally or applied topically. It seems to suppress UV activity due to its ability to inhibit tyrosinase activity and UV induced pigmentation. Researchers, further concluded that this skin whitening effect was likely caused by the inhibition of proliferation of melanocytes and melanin synthesis.

Pomegranate juice has also been used for other applications including a body tonic, reducing fevers, an anti-diahrreal, and as a mild astringent.

Anti-Cancer Effects

The polyphenols have also been under tough scrutiny due to their reported ability to inhibit estrogen synthesis in proliferating breast cancer cells. The seed oil was even more impressive in this regard.

Body metabolites of the ellagic-tannins seem to accumulate specifically in the prostate glands, bladders, kidneys, and intestinal tissues of mice, in research studies, which lead to clinical trials in humans, for their possible efficacy in the fight against several diseases.

Seventeen clinical trials were conducted in 2008 which examined the effects of pomegranate juice consumption of several diseases such as prostate cancer, prostatic hyperplasia, diabetes, lymphoma, rhinovirus, common cold, atheroclerosis, coronary artery disease, and oxidative stress in hemodialysis. While pomegranate juice is mostly used, the rind contains most of the phytochemicals.

Additionally, the roots and bark also have medicinal properties. The bark contains punicotannic acid, gallic acid, mannite, peletierine, and n-methylisopelletierine.

Pomegranates and their juice have been used for a few thousands years, in the middle east an Asia, for their health-giving properties. Many cultures revere them and even depict them in their religious artwork. One country even uses them as a central part of their ceremonial worship. Modern researchers have long overlooked the claims of pomegranate's healing properties until now.

You can get a serving of pomegranate juice, not extract, in each glass of Delicious Greens 8000.