6 surprising health benefits of pomegranate juice

1 — Improves digestive health
Pomegranate juice is well known for its antioxidant potential but research suggests it may also be anti-inflammatory in action. Nowadays sub-clinical or low-grade inflammation is thought to be playing a part in a number of common conditions, including those affecting the gut such as IBS.
A large scale review encompassing various other studies looking at all different pomegranate preparations, including juice, discovered that this fruit in its various forms was able to exert significant anti-inflammatory activity in the gut1.
This is an impressive result and certainly gives us good reason to believe that pomegranate juice should be a welcome addition to anti-inflammatory diets going forward.
2 — Helpful for joints
Anti-inflammatory remedies are also commonly relied on to help manage muscle and joint pain. However, the long-term use of conventional anti-inflammatories has gradually become associated with more and more side effects and understandably, people are increasingly looking for more natural alternatives.
Preliminary in-vitro trials, (this means human cells were used in a laboratory setting) gave us some promising results when it comes to pomegranate.
Pomegranate extracts were found to be protective of the deterioration of the cartilage in joints, a process that naturally occurs in degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis2. Could pomegranates be a crucial ingredient as we desperately try to slow these destructive processes? Quite possibly!
3 — Supports blood pressure
It’s no secret that eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables is an important part of managing blood pressure naturally, however, is it possible that certain fruits or vegetables could be more beneficial than others? We already know that beetroot is top pick for managing blood pressure, but actually pomegranate could be up there for too! I’ve said so already in my blog on this very topic: ‘The 8 best foods for supporting blood pressure.’
Although the numbers of participants were fairly small, the results of a recent trial produced some notable results. Drinking just 150ml of pomegranate juice daily for 2 weeks produced significant cardio-protective results, including significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and helped to reduce a type of inflammatory chemical marker called VCAM-13. I’d say this is pretty impressive considering the time frame and dose of juice being taken!
4 — Managing high cholesterol
Whilst the research around blood pressure and VCAM-1 are exciting enough, there may be even more research to take note of when it comes to the potential heart-health benefits of pomegranate juice.
Cholesterol management is a big stumbling block nowadays too; for many of us, we know we need to take action, but aren’t quite sure where to start! From a naturopathic standpoint, wherever possible, we know it’s a much better approach to start managing this naturally through changes to diet and lifestyle rather than solely relying on medications with a long list of potential side effects.
So, let’s review some of the research putting this theory to the test! After adding pomegranate juice to their daily diet, 22 diabetic subjects were found to have significant reductions in total and LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol levels)4; two major risk factors for heart disease. Yet another positive result.
If this has got you inspired, for more diet tips for managing high cholesterol, click the link to visit my blog on this topic.
5 — Boosts brain function
We’re gradually learning more about the potential role antioxidants could have in protecting our brain function and minimising memory loss as we age. So what role could pomegranate play?
In a randomized control trial putting this very idea to the test, drinking pomegranate juice for just four weeks showed positive results for helping to significantly improve scores in memory tests and cognitive tasks5 — definitely some great potential for the future in the elderly then!
6 — Enhances exercise performance
When it comes to potential cardiovascular benefits, beetroot and pomegranate seem to have quite a bit in common and it seems that this could all be down to their shared nitrate content. This vital ingredient may have an important part to play when it comes to supporting healthy blood pressure and brain functions, but interestingly, exercise endurance may also be an important area to consider.
When pomegranate extracts are taken 30 minutes prior to exercise, both blood flow and time to exhaustion are improved. As nitrate-rich pomegranate juice helps to gently dilate our blood vessels. This means your nutrient and oxygen-rich blood can get to where it needs to be quicker, and the benefits quickly become apparent.

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