The Intestinal Benefits of Pomegranate Juice

The intestinal benefits of pomegranate juice have inspired many scientific studies, most of which have proven its promising cancer-fighting benefits. Pomegranate contains a higher level of antioxidants than blueberries, green tea, or cranberries. The concentrated amounts of antioxidants in pomegranate juice have shown to be helpful in combating the deterioration of cells that result in colon and prostate cancer.

Function

• Pomegranate juice is laden with phytochemicals. These are naturally occurring health-protecting chemical compounds found in some plants, such as lycopene in tomatoes and beta carotene in carrots. According to the February 2006 Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the phytochemicals in pomegranate juice inhibit cancer cell reproduction and support a process called apoptosis, which is an automatic defense mechanism in the body that causes harmful cells to self-destruct.

Benefits

• Pomegranate juice benefits the intestinal system as a cancer-fighter and preventative. It also increases food metabolizing enzyme production in the digestive tract. This makes pomegranate juice an aid against recurring diarrhea and constipation by helping restore the natural balance of the intestinal tract. Pomegranate juice also fights infections of the digestive system.

Studies

• The Center for Human Nutrition at UCLA conducted laboratory tests on human colon cancer cells to determine if ellagitannins (a powerful antioxidant found in pomegranates) could inhibit the growth or promote the death of the cells. They found that NF-KappaB (cancerous) cell growth was suppressed when exposed to the pomegranate extract.

  In a separate study conducted by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2005 on human prostate cancer cells, the results were similar. When the prostate cancer cells were exposed to pomegranate extracts, their growth was inhibited and apoptosis occurred.

Side Effects

• Pomegranate juice alters the way you metabolize medications, so talk to your doctor before beginning a pomegranate juice regimen. If taking heart or cholesterol-lowering medication, pomegranate juice may cause a serious condition known as rhabdomyolysis, which results in the breakdown and release of muscle fiber contents into the bloodstream. Rhabdomyolysis frequently results in kidney damage.

  In a report published in the Sept. 1, 2006 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology, a 48-year-old man taking cholesterol-lowering medication (statins) began drinking pomegranate juice (200ml twice weekly) and three weeks later was admitted to the emergency room with symptoms of rhabdomyolysis.

Potential

• The health benefits and possible uses of pomegranate juice are still under close study. Other than the instances of potential negative drug interactions, no harmful properties have been discovered. Pomegranate juice has proven to be the richest source of cancer- and heart disease-fighting antioxidants as well as a great digestive aid for people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome and other intestinal ailments such as diverticulitis.