Pomegranate
Overview
Pomegranate is a tree. Various parts of the tree and fruit are used to make medicine.
People use pomegranate for high blood pressure, athletic performance, heart disease, diabetes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Pomegranate has been used for thousands of years. It is in Greek, Hebrew, Buddhist, Islamic, and Christian mythology and writings. It is described in records dating from around 1500 BCE as a treatment for tapeworm and other parasites.
Many cultures use pomegranate as a folk medicine. Pomegranate is native to Iran. It is primarily cultivated in Mediterranean counties, parts of the United States, Afghanistan, Russia, India, China, and Japan. You'll see pomegranate in some royal and medical coats of arms.
Classification
Is a Form of:
Fruit
Primary Functions:
High blood pressure, atheletic performance, heart disease
Also Known As:
Anardana, Dadim, Dadima, Delima, Extrait de Feuille de Grenade, Extrait de Grenade
How Does It Work?
Pomegranate contains a variety of chemicals that might have antioxidant effects. Some preliminary research suggests that chemicals in pomegranate juice might slow the progression of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and possibly fight cancer cells. But it is not known if pomegranate has these effects when people drink the juice.
Uses
- High blood pressure.Some research shows that drinking pomegranate juice daily can lower systolic blood pressure (the top number) by about 5 mmHg. Lower doses might work the same as higher doses. Pomegranate juice doesn't seem to reduce diastolic pressure (the lower number).
Recommended Dosing
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
ADULTS
BY MOUTH:
- For high blood pressure: 43-330 mL of pomegranate juice has been used daily for up to 18 months.
Pomegranate Supplements Frequently Asked Questions
Are pomegranate supplements good for you?
“There's no definitive clinical trial” demonstrating a beneficial effect of pomegranate fruit, juice or pills in people, Harold says. Because the antioxidants in pomegranates are chemically stable, they should have the same activity when concentrated in a pill as they do when found in juice or in a fruit, Mukhtar says.
What is pomegranate vitamins good for?
In addition to antioxidants, pomegranates are a source of fibre, B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin K and potassium. One pomegranate supplies one-quarter of a day's worth of folate (a B vitamin needed to synthesize and repair DNA) and one-third of your daily vitamin C.
What medications do pomegranates interfere with?
Taking pomegranate juice along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), ramipril (Altace), and others.
What happens if we eat pomegranate daily?
Eating pomegranates as a whole can have anti-inflammatory effects and can protect a human body from various diseases like type-2 diabetes, and obesity. 2. Regular consumption of pomegranate helps in improving gut health, digestion, and keep bowel diseases at bay.
What are the side effects of pomegranate juice?
Side Effects & Safety
Some people can have allergic reactions to pomegranate fruit. Pomegranate extract is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth or applied to the skin. Some people have experienced sensitivity to pomegranate extract. Symptoms of sensitivity include itching, swelling, runny nose, and difficulty breathing.
What is the best time to eat pomegranate?
Pomegranate: Taking pomegranate on an empty stomach in the morning would be best for anyone. It is a wonder fruit that is enriched with powerful antioxidants and numerous medicinal properties.
Does pomegranate make you poop?
They're really rather high in fibre. Sure, they won't prevent heart disease – but hey – they'll make ya poop! And that's something, right? 100 g of pomegranate seeds will give you 4 g of fibre.
What does Pomegranate do to your face?
Pomegranates are a rich source of three types of antioxidants - tannins, anthocyanins, and ellagic acid. These antioxidants are known for their anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-ageing properties. The fruit also helps in repairing, rejuvenating and replenishing your skin in many ways.
Does pomegranate increase blood sugar?
If you eat a pomegranate, you eat the seeds, not the flesh of the fruit. This fruit truly does contain a large number of antioxidants, including polyphenols. Surprisingly, even though pomegranate juice contains carbohydrate, overall blood glucose levels did not increase in the diabetes group.
Who should not eat pomegranate?
Allergies to plants: People with plant allergies seem to be more likely to have an allergic reaction to pomegranate. Surgery: Pomegranate might affect blood pressure. This might interfere with blood pressure control during and after surgery. Stop taking pomegranate at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
What happens if you drink too much pomegranate juice?
Possible Side Effects. Pomegranate juice is likely safe for most people when consumed in typical amounts. But there are certain people who should exercise caution. People who are allergic to pomegranate may experience itching, swelling, runny nose, and difficulty breathing.
Why is pomegranate bad for you?
Pomegranate Juice May Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
Heart disease is currently the world's most common cause of premature death ( 22 ). It's a complicated disease, driven by many different factors. Punicic acid, the main fatty acid in pomegranate, may help protect against several steps in the heart disease process.
Is it better to eat pomegranate or drink the juice?
Pomegranate juice contains higher levels of antioxidants than most other fruit juices. It also has three times more antioxidants than red wine and green tea. The antioxidants in pomegranate juice can help remove free radicals, protect cells from damage, and reduce inflammation.
Does pomegranate make your hair grow?
Encourage Hair Growth
The pomegranate is packed with antioxidants that make hair follicles stronger, and improve blood circulation in the scalp—factors which help to stimulate hair growth.
What part of the pomegranate is poisonous?
The root, stem, or peel of pomegranate is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in large amounts. The root, stem, and peel contain poisons.
Is pomegranate juice good for kidneys?
Pomegranate juice is chock full of newfound benefits for kidney patients. Because of its high concentration of antioxidants, consuming pomegranate juice may decrease the risk of kidney patients developing cardiovascular disease.
Is pomegranate good for weight gain?
According to Delhi-based Weight Management Expert, Dr. Gargi Sharma, “Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants, polyphenols and conjugated linolenic acid - all of which help you burn fat and boost your metabolism. Pomegranate juice also helps in suppressing your appetite.”
Are pomegranate seeds hard to digest?
Pomegranate seeds are rich in fiber. According to one study, flour made from these seeds boasts about 50% fiber (3). The main types of fiber in pomegranate seeds are cellulose and lignin (4). Both cellulose and lignin are insoluble and pass through your digestive system largely unchanged.
Does pomegranate improve skin complexion?
Natural glow: Pomegranate juice improves digestion and increases blood flow which gives your skin a radiant glow. The ellagic acid, a polyphenol antioxidant found in large quantities in pomegranates, helps in healing sunburn and is known to reverse sun damage.
Is pomegranate good for pimples?
We pick five fruits that fight acne and give you flawless skin. Pomegranate has the highest amount of antioxidants that prevent blocking of pores and give you clean skin. Eat a bowlful of pomegranate seeds or squeeze them into some refreshing juice that can open up those pores and let your skin breathe.
Is it bad to eat the seeds in a pomegranate?
You can eat the whole arils including the fiber-rich seeds, or spit out the seeds if you prefer- it's your choice! The rind and the white membranes surrounding the arils are bitter and we don't suggest eating them- although some say even that part of the pomegranate has medicinal value!
How long does it take pomegranate juice to lower blood pressure?
Drinking 1 cup of pomegranate juice daily for 28 days can lower high blood pressure in the short term, according to the findings of a study from 2012. The researchers attributed this effect to the fruit's antioxidant content. While pomegranates can be enjoyed whole, some people prefer the juice.
Clinical Studies
- ^ Ben Nasr C, Ayed N, Metche M. Quantitative determination of the polyphenolic content of pomegranate peel. Z Lebensm Unters Forsch. (1996)
- ^ Vroegrijk IO, et al. Pomegranate seed oil, a rich source of punicic acid, prevents diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice. Food Chem Toxicol. (2011)
- ^ a b c Schubert SY, Lansky EP, Neeman I. Antioxidant and eicosanoid enzyme inhibition properties of pomegranate seed oil and fermented juice flavonoids. J Ethnopharmacol. (1999)
- ^ Tran HN, et al. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) seed linolenic acid isomers: concentration-dependent modulation of estrogen receptor activity. Endocr Res. (2010)
- ^ Moneam NM, el Sharaky AS, Badreldin MM. Oestrogen content of pomegranate seeds. J Chromatogr. (1988)
- ^ THE OESTROGENIC ACTIVITY OF POMEGRANATE SEED OIL.
- ^ Yang H, et al. Identification of seven water-soluble non-storage proteins from pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn.) seeds. Food Sci Technol Int. (2012)
- ^ Rosenblat M, Volkova N, Aviram M. Pomegranate phytosterol (β-sitosterol) and polyphenolic antioxidant (punicalagin) addition to statin, significantly protected against macrophage foam cells formation. Atherosclerosis. (2012)