The Health Benefits of Pomegranates

The pomegranate (Punica granatum) originates from Persia, and has enjoyed recognition in various cultures as a fruit of significance.

They are found in Islamic art, in Jewish scripture, in Christian religious decoration, was depicted on the shekel in 140 BC.

They feature in Greek mythology, is one of the three blessed fruits of Buddhism, and is an important part of the history of many other cultures.

Health benefits of pomegrantates include potential to protect against prostate cancer, lower LDL cholesterol, and protect against heart disease.

Health Benefits of Pomegranates

Nutrients
They are a good source of vitamins A, C, and folic acid. They have high levels of polyphenol antioxidants with powerful free-radical scavenging ability. Tannins, anthocyanins, ellagic acid and gallic acid are all types of polyphenols that are found in pomegranates. A comprehensive breakdown of nutrients can be found in our Nutrient Database.

Cardiovascular Health

LDL Cholesterol Reduction
In a human study, pomegranate juice consumption decreased LDL cholesterol and increased the activity of serum paraoxonase (an enzyme associated with HDL cholesterol that is believed to protect against the oxidation of LDL cholesterol).

In another study involving ten type 2 diabetics and ten healthy volunteers, pomegranate juice was shown to be of benefit to diabetics with high levels of LDL cholesterol by reducing risk for atherosclerosis, a condition that leads to arterial wall thickening and hardening.

In other research pomegranate juice has been proved effective in reducing factors leading to heart disease, and may clear clogged arteries, reducing build-up of plaque by up to 30% in a study of 19 elderly patients with atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) is a condition in which plaque builds up inside the arteries as the result of a build-up of fatty materials such as cholesterol.

Prostate Cancer Prevention
Polyphenols, pomegranate cold-pressed oil and pomegranate seed oil have demonstrated significant anti-tumor activity against human prostate cancer cells placed in mice in a multi center study.

The components ellagic acid, caffeic acid, luteolin and punicic acid of the pomegranate fruit were successfully tested as potential inhibitors of in vitro invasion of human PC-3 prostate cancer cells.

There are several human trials underway to determine the potential of the pomegranate in treating and preventing prostate cancer:
1. Effects of Pomegranate Juice or Extract on Rising PSA Levels in Men Following Primary Therapy for Prostate Cancer.
2. A Study Of the Effectiveness Of Pomegranate Pills in Men With Prostate Cancer Before Prostatectomy.
3. Open-Label Extension Study of the Effects of Pomegranate Extract on Rising PSA After Primary Therapy for Prostate Cancer.
4. Study of the Effects of Pomegranate Tablets on Enlarged Prostates.
5. Pomegranate Extract in Treating Patients With Rising Prostate-Specific Antigen Levels After Surgery or Radiation Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer.

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References:
1. The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray, Joseph Pizzorno, and Lara Pizzorno.
2. Benders' Dictionary of Nutrition and Food Technology.
3. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.
4. Albrecht M, Jiang W, Kumi-Diaka J, Lansky EP, Gommersall LM, Patel A, Mansel RE, Neeman I, Geldof AA, Campbell MJ. Pomegranate extracts potently suppress proliferation, xenograft growth, and invasion of human prostate cancer cells. J Med Food. 2004 Fall;7(3):274-83. PMID: 15383219.
5. Aviram M, Rosenblat M, Gaitini D, Nitecki S, Hoffman A, Dornfeld L, Volkova N, Presser D, Attias J, Liker H, Hayek T. Pomegranate juice consumption for 3 years by patients with carotid artery stenosis reduces common carotid intima-media thickness, blood pressure and LDL oxidation. Clin Nutr. 2004 Jun;23(3):423-33. PMID: 15158307.
6. Rosenblat M, Hayek T, Aviram M. Anti-oxidative effects of pomegranate juice (PJ) consumption by diabetic patients on serum and on macrophages. Atherosclerosis. 2006 Aug;187(2):363-71. Epub 2005 Oct 13. PMID: 16226266.
7. Lansky EP, Harrison G, Froom P, Jiang WG. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) pure chemicals show possible synergistic inhibition of human PC-3 prostate cancer cell invasion across Matrigel. Invest New Drugs. 2005 Mar;23(2):121-2. PMID: 15744587.
8. ClinicalTrials.gov.
9. Aviram M, Dornfeld L, Rosenblat M, Volkova N, Kaplan M, Coleman R, Hayek T, Presser D, Fuhrman B. Pomegranate juice consumption reduces oxidative stress, atherogenic modifications to LDL, and platelet aggregation: studies in humans and in atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 May;71(5):1062-76. PMID: 10799367.