Disease Fighting Potential of Pomegranate Juice

Only in recent years has the benefit of drinking pomegranate juice hit the health, wellness and prevention radar screen. Several studies suggest that drinking pomegranate juice may lower your risk of disease and other infirmities. While the jury's out on whether or not pomegranate juice can do everything that's promised, there's no doubt that this juice provides a wealth of vitamins and nutrients that will boost overall health and wellbeing.

Pomegranate Juice Stands Out From the Rest

There are some excellent brands of pomegranate juice on the market. I like pomegranate juice that's Certified Organic, involving growers and processors that are committed to eco-friendly and sustainable practices. By purchasing Certified Organic pomegranate juice or pomegranate extract, you can ensure that you get the complete health benefits of the fruit without the added sugar, artificial colors or preservatives you'll find in some pomegranate juice you can buy at your local supermarket. Check out pomegranate juice from Pom Wonderful, Lakewood Organic and Elite Natural. These are among the best on the market today.

Disease Fighting Potential of Pomegranate Juice

Studies continue on the potential health benefits and disease fighting properties of this delicious juice. But, results are mixed and studies continue. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) indicates that drinking pomegranate juice and extract may potentially help those who suffer with rheumatoid arthritis. The C.A.M. Report spotlights pomegranate juice for its cholesterol reducing properties while, at the same time, indicating that the research is vast but hardly deep. Finally, experts at Mayo Clinic tout the antioxidants that are present in pomegranate juice but caution against its daily use until consulting with a health care professional.

Disease Fighting Potential of Pomegranate Juice

Studies continue on all fronts and it may be some time before we know what kind of disease fighting and health promoting properties pomegranate juice offers men, women and children. Among the health benefits suggested by drinking pomegranate juice and pomegranate extract are:

Pomegranate's Benefits in the Fight Against Breast Cancer. Studies in Israel and other countries suggest that pomegranate juice destroys breast cancer cells and leaves healthy cells and cell development alone. It may be that combination therapy in the future may include drinking pomegranate juice.

Pomegranate's Benefits in Lung Cancer Prevention. Several studies in mice suggest that drinking pomegranate juice may inhibit the development of lung cancer. It may be that lung cancer treatment in the future may include drinking pomegranate juice to prevent lung cancer cells from forming or spreading. Studies continue in this important area.

Pomegranate's Benefits in Fighting Prostate Cancer. Several studies have shown than drinking pomegranate may slow the growth of prostate cancer in mice. It may be that drinking pomegranate juice may become part of prostate cancer treatment in the future. For example, 8 ounces of pomegranate juice per day has shown significant benefits to men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, including stabilizing PSA levels in these same men. Studies continue.

Pomegranate's Benefits in Managing Osteoarthritis. Several studies suggest that pomegranate juice may prevent cartilage deterioration which is key in preventing and managing osteoarthritis. Studies continue on pomegranate's role in suppressing inflammation and joint damage in persons with rheumatoid arthritis (Gupta, Rasheed, 2008).

Pomegranate's Benefits in Cardiovascular Health. Studies indicate that drinking pomegranate juice on a regular basis may help prevent dangerous plaque from building up in the arteries. "We have established that polyphenols and other natural compounds contained in the pomegranate juice may retard atherogenesis," said Claudio Napoli, Professor of Medicine and Clinical Pathology at the University of Naples, Italy whose research was published in the 2005 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and reported on in National Geographic News. It may be that drinking this healthful juice may also reverse plaque build up. Studies continue in this important area.
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Pomegranate's Benefits in Alzheimer's Disease Prevention and Management. Studies suggest that drinking pomegranate juice may prevent Alzheimer's disease or slow its rate of progress. In studies of pomegranate's health promoting benefits, patients with Alzheimer's showed greater levels of mental acuity and functioning. Studies continue on the promise of pomegranate in Alzheimer's prevention and treatment.

Pomegranate's Benefits in Lowering "Bad" Cholesterol and Raising "Good" Cholesterol. High cholesterol levels are dangerous. Some studies suggest that drinking pomegranate juice can lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (good cholesterol). Studies continue.

Pomegranate's Benefits in Lowering Blood Pressure. The potential of pomegranate in stabilizing blood pressure has been suggested by several studies. In one, drinking a small amount of pomegranate juice per day lowered systolic blood pressure by 5 percent. Studies continue in this important area.

Consult with Your Doctor Before Adding Pomegranate Juice to Your Daily Diet

Experts at the venerable Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota caution against looking at pomegranate juice as a "magic bullet" to prevent or treat disease and other medical conditions. No doubt about it: pomegranate juice offers several health benefits and has disease fighting potential. Like other fruit juices, pomegranate juice is loaded with antioxidants, especially polyphenols. And, this fruit juice happens to have more of them than others. But, experts at Mayo Clinic advise caution and consultation with your medical doctor and other health care professionals as pomegranate juice may interact with prescription medications, like high blood pressure medications and statins, causing dangerous or adverse side effects.

RESOURCES

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
National Institutes of Health

Reviewing Pomegranate Research
The C.A.M. Report

Pomegranate Juice
Mayo Clinic

Shukla M, Gupta K, Rasheed Z. Consumption of hydrolyzable tannins-rich pomegranate extract suppresses inflammation and joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis. Nutrition. July-August 2008; 24(7-8): 733-743.

Pomegranate Ranked Healthiest Fruit Juice
UCLA Study Lists Top Ten; Health Magazine Contributor Samantha Heller Discusses Them; All High In Antioxidants for CBS News, (New York, July 5, 2008)

Pomegranate Juice Fights Heart Disease, Study Says
Stefan Lovgren for National Geographic News (March 22, 2005)