In the Ayurvedic tradition, pomegranate is used for more than a hundred diseases. The seeds are used as well as the skin, flowers and root bark. The pomegranate is rich in vitamins, antioxidants and essential minerals.
Today, scientists are more interested in the virtues of the pomegranate. Its particularity is its high content of polyphenols (antioxidants). Numerous studies prove that its consumption contributes to strengthen and preserve inflammatory and degenerative diseases. It would support the body in its fight against free radicals, these toxic molecules at the origin of oxidative stress making our body age prematurely.
Pomegranates contain polyphenols and tannins, which are believed to increase antioxidant activity in the blood, so protecting blood lipids (e.g. cholesterol) against oxidation. They improve blood circulation and hence reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
"The results of the present study thus suggest that PJ consumption by patients with carotid artery stenosis (CAS) decreases carotid IMT and systolic blood pressure and these effects could be related to the potent antioxidant characteristics of PJ polyphenols. "
Pacheco-Palencia L A et al., "Protective effects of standardized pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) polyphenolic extract in ultraviolet-irradiated human skin fibroblasts." Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. 2018; 56(18): 8434-8441.
Pomegranates contain polyphenols and tannins, which are believed to increase antioxidant activity in the blood, so protecting blood lipids (e.g. cholesterol) against oxidation. They improve blood circulation and hence reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
"The results of the present study thus suggest that PJ consumption by patients with carotid artery stenosis (CAS) decreases carotid IMT and systolic blood pressure and these effects could be related to the potent antioxidant characteristics of PJ polyphenols."
Aviram M et al., "Pomegranate juice consumption for 3 years by patients with carotid artery stenosis reduces common carotid intima-media thickness, blood pressure and LDL oxidation." Clin Nutr. 2004; 23(3):423-33
Research has shown that the polyphenols in Pomegranate play a role in ensuring a healthy heart and arteries. The antioxidants contained in this fruit help to lower raised blood pressure, decrease lesions linked to atherosclerosis and improve blood circulation in arteries. It is therefore likely to reduce the risk of cardiovascular incidents.
"Pomegranate juice and its by-products substantially reduced macrophage cholesterol and oxidized lipids accumulation, and foam cell formation (the hallmark of early atherogenesis), leading to attenuation of atherosclerosis development, and its consequent cardiovascular events."
Aviram M and Rosenblat M, "Pomegranate protection against cardiovascular diseases". Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012; 2012.
Many studies have also highlighted the role of Pomegranate in lowering the level of cholesterol in the blood. The antioxidants in this fruit are believed to help inhibit cholesterol oxidation and improve the body’s capacity to eliminate bad cholesterol from arteries.
"In addition, pomegranate peel polyphenols promoted apoA-1-mediated macrophage cholesterol efflux by up-regulating ABCA1 and LXRα at the mRNA and protein levels, independently of ABCG1 and PPARγ."
Zhao S et al., "Pomegranate peel polyphenols inhibit lipid accumulation and enhance cholesterol efflux in raw264. 7 macrophages." Food & function. 2016 7(7): 3201-3210.
Rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, Pomegranate is believed to assist the body in its defence against viruses and infections by reinforcing the immune defences.
"The significant reduction in the incidence of infections in our study is fascinating, suggesting that the attenuation in systemic inflammation due to pomegranate juice intake, as expressed by lowering the levels of interleukins, cytokines, andoxidative stress, infact strengthened the innate immunity, thereby preventing infections."
Shema-Didi L et al., "One year of pomegranate juice intake decreases oxidative stress, inflammation, and incidence of infections in hemodialysis patients: a randomized placebo-controlled trial." Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 2012; 53(2): 297-304.
Scientific studies have shown that Pomegranate extract may stop inflammatory phenomena. It appears to block the action of enzymes that cause deterioration of cartilage and bone tissue, leading to joint degeneration, including arthrosis and arthritis.
"Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are enzymes important in the maintenance of normal cellular architecture, assisting with creation of interstitial spaces by destroying structural proteins, thereby facilitating multiple inflammatory processes."
Hadipour-Jahromy M and Mozaffari-Kermani R, ''Chondroprotective effects of pomegranate juice on monoiodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis of the knee joint of mice.'' Phytotherapy Research: An International Journal Devoted to Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Natural Product Derivatives. 2010; 24(2): 182-185.
The combination of flavonoids and tannins found in Pomegranate is beneficial to the digestive system. It has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory action, promoting effective digestion and preventing problems of constipation, diarrhoea, nausea and haemorrhoids.
"Different preparations of pomegranate, including extracts from peels, flowers, seeds, and juice, show a significant anti-inflammatory activity in the gut."
Colombo E, Sangiovanni E, and Dell'Agli M, "A review on the anti-inflammatory activity of pomegranate in the gastrointestinal tract." Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013; 2013.
The Pomegranate is a symbol of longevity in the Middle East, a fruit that is believed to boost the immune system. It is packed with vitamins C and B5, which are essential to energy production and a vigorous immune system.
"In conclusion, our study suggested that pomegranate fruits or its extracts can use as antitumor and antimicrobial agents."
Shalaby M T, Dawood D H, Hefni M and Basma M M, "Phytochemical Constituents, Antimicrobial and Antitumor Effects of Pomegranate Fruit (Punica granatum L)" Journal of Food and Dairy Sci. 2019; 10(10): 373 - 380.