Pomegranate Juice, Understanding the Health Benefits

Many people believe that pomegranate juice can block the buildup of cholesterol in a person's arteries and the buildup of cholesterol in arteries can cause the arteries to harden and narrow, which can lead to cardiovascular disease. It however has never been proven that pomegranate juice can in fact block cholesterol buildup in arteries.

Pomegranate juice contains polyphenols antioxidants. However pomegranate juice contains antioxidants at a much higher level than many other fruit juices. Antioxidants are believed by many people to provide many cardiovascular benefits, including reducing lipoprotein LDL or "bad" cholesterol.

It is however wise before you start drinking pomegranate juice to check with your physician because pomegranate juice has been known to adversely interact with many prescription medications such as statins and several high blood pressure medications causing several severe side effects.

Pomegranates and pomegranate juice is said to have more antioxidant benefits than green tea, red wine, and even blueberries.

Many people believe that drinking pomegranate juice can help expectant mothers who maybe at risk of having babies premature, because pomegranate juice helps reduce the risk of the baby having a brain injury caused by low oxygen and reduced blood flow. This however health benefit however has not been proven.

Pomegranate juice is also believed to give women relief from hot flashes and other menopause problems.

It is true however that pomegranate juice is a good source of folic acid, which is needed for the development of healthy babies. Folic acid is a necessary component in the formation of DNA and red blood cells.

Taken with vitamin A and vitamin E, pomegranate juice is believed to be able to improve a person's skin including the development of wrinkles. It is also believed that pomegranate juice when taken with vitamin A and vitamin E can even make wrinkles less noticeable and smoother.

Pomegranate juice is also believed to prevent or slow the process of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers at Loma Linda University in California believe that Alzheimer's disease maybe caused by plague buildup associated with brain cell death due to oxidation. Pomegranates and pomegranate juice is high in polyphenols antioxidants, which may offer some protection against this kind of oxidative state that causes this deposit.

This has yet to be medically proven, however there are many medical studies being performed on the health benefits of pomegranates and pomegranate juice.

Other pomegranate health benefit beliefs include cancer reduction and prevention. There is a trial at the present time in which researchers are exploring whether pomegranate juice can slow or reverse increasing PSA levels in males who have had treatment for prostate cancer. At the present time the effects of pomegranates and pomegranate juice on cancer is unclear, however there are many medical studies being performed on the health benefits of pomegranates and pomegranate juice.

While the antioxidant benefits of pomegranates are undeniable, many of the other health benefits of pomegranates are unclear. However in my opinion as a nurse it never hurts to eat as healthy as you can and if it helps your body ward off disease than that can only be a derived as a positive.

References for this article include:
www.womens-health-questions.com/pomegranatejuice.html
www.mensfitness.com/nutrition/240
www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/health-benefit-of-pomegranate-juice