Side Effects of Pomegranates

The pomegranate has been in existence for thousands of years, and its origins reach from Iran to Africa. Today it is mainly considered a Middle Eastern export, but pomegranate trees can be found anywhere there is a temperate climate with moderate humidity.
The popularity of the pomegranate may be related to the claim that it is high in antioxidants, which are said to be important in maintaining healthy cell growth and blood purity.

Facts

• The pomegranate is touted as one of nature's best sources of antioxidants. The oxidation of molecules in the body and its specific effects on your overall health is unclear, but there is scientific evidence that supports the idea that the oxidation of molecules can have a detrimental effect on existing cells and new cell growth. This is why many people are looking for ways to increase the body's ability to fight oxidation by introducing supplements and other elements that are high in antioxidants.

Myths

• While the need for a certain level of antioxidants in the body is undeniable, some of the claims being made should be researched more thoroughly before being considered factual. There are claims that having a high level of antioxidants in the body can decrease the effects of everything from menstrual problems to prostate cancer. As with any new finding regarding health treatments, more investigation needs to be done before any solid statements about the overall benefits of antioxidants should be accepted as fact.

Benefits

• The pomegranate fruit is known to provide high levels of vitamin C and potassium and to be a good source of fiber. They are rated as containing no fat, including the much talked about trans fats, and they're low in caloric intake.
  The pomegranate can be consumed by drinking the juice or ingesting the seeds, and it has a good flavor. The thick white membrane that surrounds the seed arils is very bitter and acidic and should not be ingested.

Potential Detrimental Side Effects

• The most commonly reported side effect of pomegranates that can be classified as detrimental is similar to an allergic reaction. Although it has not yet been conclusively established that there is indeed an allergy to the fruit, the symptoms are classic allergic reactions. These include skin reactions, such as hives, rashes and itching; respiratory conditions, such as wheezing and difficulty in breathing; swelling of the mouth, throat, lips and tongue; and a reported difficulty in swallowing. These reactions can occur even if there has been no previous adverse reaction to pomegranates.

Precautions

• Any fruit, vegetable or nutritional element can generally be eaten on an infrequent basis without serious side effects, as long as you don't have an allergy to the substance. Health problems can and do occur when too much of a certain element is ingested; some of these effects can be minor, while some can be more serious. As with any addition to a dietary regimen, the advice of a qualified medical professional or a dietitian should be followed to avoid any serious health problems.