Pomegranate

Pomegranate Benefits As A Whole Food Supplement

The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit-producing deciduous shrub (or small tree) belonging to the Lythraceae family. It is native to regions from modern-day Iran to northern India. The pomegranate fruit has been cultivated throughout the Middle East, South Asia, and the Mediterranean region for several millennia, and it is also today cultivated in the Central Valley of California and Arizona. The pomegranate is a ruby-red fruit with juicy seeds—called arils—that can easily be incorporated into salads, cocktails, and all kinds of plant or meat-based recipes. Pomegranate is also frequently enjoyed as a juice (from the fruit and seeds) and is also widely used in powdered supplement or capsule form thanks to its powerful medicinal benefits. Indeed, pomegranates are true antioxidant powerhouses and contain more antioxidants than any other fruit juice, red wine, or even green tea. Pomegranates are rich in vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, copper, and fibre, as well as chock-full of antioxidants including flavonoids, anthocyanins, punicic acid, ellagitannins, alkaloids, fructose, sucrose, glucose, simple organic acids, and other powerful compounds, and has been shown to possess, among others, antiatherogenic (prevents plaque buildup in the arteries), antihypertensive, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Key Health Benefits of Pomegranate

• Boosts Heart Health 
• Helps Prevent & Treat Atherosclerosis
• Fights Inflammation
• Protects Against Oxidative/Free Radical Damage
• Reduces High Blood Pressure

Who Benefits From Taking Pomegranate Supplements?

Pomegranate juice or supplements may be recommended in very general terms, to bolster antioxidant defenses and prevent free radical/oxidative damage. Pomegranate may also be recommended to promote heart health, prevent atherosclerosis, help control hypertension, and lower cholesterol. One very compelling study on patients with carotid artery disease was able to demonstrate that pomegranate juice can lower blood pressure by more than 12% and result in a 30% reduction in atherosclerotic plaque, versus a 9% increase in atherosclerotic plaque in those who did not consume pomegranate juice. The same study showed that pomegranate consumption also lowered blood pressure and LDL oxidation, further supporting heart health. Because the juice of a single pomegranate supplies more than 40% of your daily requirement of vitamin C, it’s also ideal to stimulate immunity, and fight inflammation, and its high antioxidant content is also especially well-suited to help maintain memory and prevent cognitive decline, supporting sexual performance and fertility, as well as may make an interesting adjuvant in cancer therapy thanks to its demonstrated antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects in prostate, lung, breast and other cancers.

Pomegranate Supplement Varieties: Potency, Form & Format

Pomegranate fruit is widely available in grocery and health food stores, in juice form. It can also be purchased as pomegranate extract in supplement form, in loose powder, or liquid form, or capsules. Though there is no set dose for pomegranate juice, consuming 8 to 12 ounces daily is the typically recommended intake for maximum health benefits.

Pomegranate seed extract is also often added to oils, serums, and creams, and is usually standardized to include a certain percentage of polyphenols / ellagic acid.

Final Thoughts & Considerations

Pomegranate juice and supplements are fairly easy to find in stores and online. Make sure to select a juice that is 100% pure, without added sugar, ideally cold-pressed, not from concentrate, and organic. When selecting a pomegranate supplement, look for one that uses both organic fruit and seeds, and consult the list of non-medicinals, to make sure you aren’t inadvertently taking in questionable excipients.