I've been hearing so much about the benefits of pomegranates these days. It seems as though people are becoming much more concerned about their health. Much of the focus is on coronary health and the positive affects the regular intake of pomegranate juice can have on ones arteries. Recently it was discussed on Oprah with Dr. Oz, who has added it to his Food Hall of Fame.
The health benefits of pomegranates are vast and becoming increasingly publicized. They are full of vitamins A, C, and E and are known for being a choice antioxidant loaded fruit. A recent study out of UCLA showed that drinking a glass a day of pomegranate juice can slow the spread of prostate cancer.
Where with most fruits it is recommended that you eat the fruit, including peel, rather than juicing, the pomegranate is different. A study has shown that it is actually more healthy to drink the juice of the pomegranate because 70% of the beneficial antioxidants are released from the skin when it is squeezed. The high concentration of antioxidants found in pomegranate juice is effective in fighting free radicals that can cause things like heart disease, stroks, premature aging, hypertension, alzheimer's, and cancer. Free radicals alter cholesterol in a process known as oxidation, which is thought to speed up the hardening of the arteries that leads to heart disease. In addition, pomegranates have beneficial effects on hemorrhoids, fertility and blood pressure.
How could pomegranates be so beneficial? Below are some notes on how it can help a variety of ailments.
Cancer - Pomegranates contain high amounts of flavenoids, which are a type of antioxidant. They are extremely effective at neutralizing cancer-causing free radicals. Research has suggested that the fruit may be effective at fighting skin and breast cancers. A promising agent against skin cancer ma have been found in pomegranate fruit extract. American scientists have also found that pomegranate juice slowed the growth of prostate cancer cells in mice injected with the human form of the disease.
Heart disease - Research has found that a single glass of pomegranate juice each day could improve blood flow to the heart by more than one third. Its antioxidant properties keep bad cholesterol (LDL) from forming, keeping the arteries clear and reducing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes. Drinking pomegranate juice regularly may also reduce the size of atherosclerotic lesions, which narrow the arteries and cause heart failure.
Osteoarthritis - It has also been suggested that extracts of the fruit could prevent the onset of osteoarthritis. Samples of human cartilage damaged by osteoarthritis were treated with the extract and found that it inhibited the production of the enzyme that is responsible for causing the damage.
Unborn babies: A mouse study conducted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggested that expectant mothers at risk of premature birth may want to consider drinking pomegranate juice to help their babies resist brain injuries from low oxygen and reduced blood flow.
Theraputic benefits - Pomegranates have been found to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may be therapeutically beneficial in a variety of diseases. And the antioxidants are quickly absorbed by the body.
For more information on pomagranates and some of the studies that have lead to so many positive findings you can check out http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/content/article/102/106690.htm. You can also do some research on WebMD. |