Find out the benefits of pomegranate for your health

Melanie Ramos 10 min. of reading Functional foods Leave a comment

Pomegranate dietary supplements have a high punicalagin content. It is its main ingredient and the one responsible for its extraordinary properties.

Index

1 Origin of pomegranate
2 Nutrient facts of pomegranate
3 Properties of pomegranate
4 Benefits of pomegranate
5 Pomegranate season
6 Recipes with pomegranate
7 Natural pomegranate or supplements?
8 Choose your supplements well
9 What do the experts think?
10 Bibliography
11 Related Entries:

Origin of pomegranate

Pomegranate is a very peculiar fruit that has been used for centuries due to its legendary properties. Also known as punica granatum, it is one of the oldest fruits known to humankind.

Persians believed that Eve ate a pomegranate in the Garden of Eden, not an apple. On the other hand, the Egyptians buried their dead with pomegranate because they believed that it granted eternal life.

This unusual fruit also appears in mythology and tradition as a symbol of good life. In fact, the Greeks open a pomegranate in weddings and Chinese eat its seeds for good luck.

Even though pomegranate has been cultivated for thousands of years in the Mediterranean and Africa, it is native to the East. There, it grew between Iran and the Himalaya mountains in India.

The researchers are trying to unveil the truth surrounding pomegranate. It is no surprise that this exotic fruit has earned a mystical place in so many cultures for such a long time. To top it all, scientists from all around the world are finding incredible properties in pomegranates.

Clinical research has found out why this fruit has been worshipped as a symbol of fertility

Its properties lie in its polyphenol content, specially punicalagins. Thanks to these elements, it protects the joints, heart and prostate.

Nutrient facts of pomegranate

Composition (per 100 g.)

Calories: 31.8
Carbohydrates: 7.5g
Fiber: 0.2g
Vitamin C: 5.7mg
Provitamin A: 3.5mcg
Potassium: 275mg
Magnesium: 3mg
Calcium: 8mg

Moreover, it is rich in pectin, tannins, antioxidants, flavones,folic acid, fiber, vitamins E, B1, B2, B3, B9, phosphorus, copper, iron and zinc. But it is not only rich in nutrients and antioxidants. In fact, it has the ability to affect the cells and molecular structure and the potential to improve our health overall.

Properties of pomegranate

This fruit is rich in nutrients due to its phytochemical ingredients and its flavonoid and polyphenol content. Moreover, a glass of pomegranate juice has more antioxidants than red wine, green tea or cranberries.

Punicalagins are polyphenols that are only available in pomegranate and they perform several tasks in our body, such as: protecting the cardiovascular system; lowering the bad cholesterol; regulating the blood pressure; speeding the response of heart blockages, lowering the risk of suffering atherosclerosis.

In addition, they also regulate the blood pressure naturally, avoiding the risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.

It also contains phytochemical elements that stimulate the production of serotonin and estrogens. Consequently, it can help to relieve the symptoms of depression. Some laboratory studies have also proven that it can help to increase the bone mass in animals.

Moreover, several clinical studies have proven that taking 80mg of pomegranate supplements improves our health in general.

Benefits of pomegranate

From the year 2000, the interest in this fruit has done nothing but increase. From then, around 3000 scientific reports have supported the healthy properties of this fruit

Pomegranates are full of antioxidants

They have from three to seven times the antioxidant power of green tea. As we know, antioxidants buffer the harmful effects of the free radicals on the cells.

The research also shows how eating its seeds and drinking its juice increases the oxygen flow to the heart.

Taking pomegranate extract affects the functioning of many genes involved in several metabolic processes. In fact, the purpose of many of these genes is to protect the body against oxidative stress.

After taking the extract, the participants of the studies did a blood test. The results did not show any hepatic dysfunction nor other anomalies, meaning that the standard dose is safe.

Reduces the sexual dysfunction

This effect is due to the punicalagins that stimulate the production of nitric oxide. This element is a vasodilator that increases the blood flow. This directly affects the functioning of the erection.

A study surveyed its participants after taking pomegranate extract for 30 days. They all claimed to have experienced a libido increase.

Pomegranate improves the cardiovascular health

Several clinical studies have proven how it can help to prevent heart diseases, heart attacks and strokes. Of course, this works as long as we follow a healthy diet.

Thanks its vitamins and enzymes to prevent low density lipoproteins (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol from oxidizing. Therefore, it avoids atherosclerosis or the hardening of the arteries. Moreover, pomegranate seeds have a similar effect to aspirin, having the potential to dilute the blood. Therefore, it increases the blood flow to the heart and lowers the blood pressure.

A new preliminary study shows how diabetic people who drank pomegranate juice for three months had: a lower risk of suffering atherosclerosis.

Diabetic people are a at higher risk of suffering this disease, which leads to coronary artery disease, heart attacks, strokes and other problems.

Studies:

“We need to emphasize that punicalagins are the most effective antioxidants. In fact, they are responsible for the antioxidant properties from pomegranate juice”
“The fact that pomegranate juice (standardized to its punicalagin content) is more effective than polyphenols suggests that its other phytochemicals enhance its properties”

Pomegranate and blood pressure

Dr. Steinberger studied the effect of pomegranate on the blood pressure. He reached the conclusion that it has an anti-hypertensive activity that can prevent cardiovascular diseases and heart attacks. Therefore, pomegranate supplements contribute to preserving our health and preventing heart attacks.

Benefits against inflammation

Pomegranate extract has positive effects on inflammatory diseases, including arthritis and bowel inflammatory disease.

The bioactive compounds of pomegranate extract (polyphenols) reduce the inflammation by acting on the NFkB transcription factor. In fact, its anti-inflammatory effect is similar to that of ibuprofen.

Moreover, Dr. Steinberger assessed the anti-inflammatory effect of pomegranate, measuring the amounts of cytokines involved. Taking the extract effectively reduces the plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL1, IL6, IL8, IL12 (p70) and TNF.

Pomegranates prevent breast diseases

There are up to ten natural compounds in pomegranate that are capable of blocking aromatase. This is an enzyme that transforms androgens in estrogens, which is why it plays a very important role in breast tumors.

Pomegranate and prostate diseases

Drinking a glass its juice daily can slow down the growth of prostate cancer. In fact, a small study on a group of men that took this drink slowed down the duplication of PSA levels. PSA is a protein that indicates the presence of prostate cancer.

It prevents skin diseases

Pomegranates are a great source of polyphenols. Even though they cannot block the UV radiations, they can stop the chemical signals that trigger pro-cancerous changes in the cells.

Pomegranate season

Its growth season in the northern hemisphere goes from September to January. On the other hand, the southern hemisphere goes from March to May.

This means that pomegranates can be available out of season everywhere in the world.

Recipes with pomegranate

Pomegranate is quite versatile, people use it in many recipes, both sweet and salty.

During autumn, this fruit is mainly used in salads in order to get more nutrients while adding more flavor to our meals.

Either way, people also use pomegranate to match sweet desserts or to make jam.

Natural pomegranate or supplements?

Fresh pomegranate is not available in the supermarket throughout the whole year. Moreover, it is very difficult to take the daily amount that our body needs.

We would need to drink between 500 and 700ml of fresh pomegranate juice to meet the daily requirements

The juice sold in the supermarket has actually a very small proportion of authentic juice.

Even the punicalagin percentage from the fresh fruit can change a lot. That is why we cannot be sure if we are taking enough punicalagins.

Another inconvenience is that the juice has a lot of sugar and calories.

For all this, pomegranate supplements are the easiest, safest and most effective way of taking punicalagins.

Choose your supplements well

Look for products with a complete polyphenol and punicalagin spectrum. Preferably if they are over 30%, which equals 180mg of punicalagins per capsule.

Punicalagins are available both in the seeds of the fruit, its rind and its yellow membranes.

Taking pomegranate extract regularly has proven to regulate the blood pressure. Moreover, it helps to relieve the inflammation and prevent the onset of cardiovascular diseases.

If you want to purchase pomegranate supplements, click here and browse the HSN online store.

What do the experts think?

Dr Steinberger stated:

“We have spent thousands of years without taking advantage of pomegranate completely. Now we know about its extraordinary properties and benefits for the body. Moreover, we know how to make it accessible for the public”
“Our research has found out a range of medicinal benefits in pomegranate juice. Pomegranates have been scientifically studied in the last years. Thanks to this, we have managed to prove that its benefits come both from its seeds, grind and sheaths”