Pomegranate: Evidence-Based Benefits Of This Antioxidant Superstar By Dr. Diane Fulton for Natural Blaze
Pomegranate, with its characteristic red arils, is small but mighty when it comes to substantial benefits to your health as a superfood.
Pomegranate has been called an antioxidant superstar. In fact, researchers have confirmed that pomegranate has three times the antioxidant power of red wine and green tea.[i] The antioxidant impact in pomegranate comes from compounds known as polyphenols. Pomegranate includes flavonoids (catechin and anthocyanins), condensed tannins, phenolic acids, hydrolysable tannins (punicalagin), alkaloids and lignans.
From lab studies of pomegranate compounds, scientists have verified that pomegranate has beneficial antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiobesity, anti-hypertensive and anti-inflammatory properties.[ii],[iii] Isn’t it time to add pomegranate to your healthy routine?
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Six Therapeutic Qualities of Pomegranate
1. Lowers Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress refers to the imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) and antioxidant defenses.[iv] This imbalance is caused by environmental stressors (i.e., ultraviolet light, exposure to radiation, pollutants, pesticides, industrial chemicals, smoking, ozone and heavy metals) and internal factors (nutrition, inflammation, lifestyle, conditions like dementia, cancer, diabetes and chronic illnesses).[v]
Accumulation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage has been linked to multiple pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases,[vi] diabetes, cancer, recovery from overexercise/injuries, skin diseases and premature aging.[vii]
Pomegranate’s antioxidant superpower decreases oxidative stress, which helps to prevent and improve these oxidative related diseases and subsequent symptoms.
2. Prevents Lifestyle Diseases and Lowers Complications
Lifestyle diseases are ailments that are primarily based on the day-to-day habits of people (such as being sedentary, smoking, unhealthy diet and alcohol abuse) and include diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory illnesses, stroke and cancer. Precursors can be high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, high levels of fat in the blood, high levels of stress and obesity.[viii]
The antioxidant protection of pomegranate polyphenols helps prevent lifestyle related diseases by reducing ROS and increasing antioxidant activity.[ix] A meta-analysis of eight studies regarding pomegranate juice consumption and high blood pressure showed significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure after taking pomegranate juice; researchers recommend including this fruit juice in your heart-healthy diet.[x]
