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The Benefits of Pomegranate Juice

Drinking pomegranate juice has become popular in the last few years. Amid all the hoopla surrounding this juice, quite a few of its potential benefits have come to light. Studies have shown pomegranate juice to be beneficial in the prevention of heart disease and in slowing the growth of prostate cancer.

  1. Benefits

    • Pomegranate juice helps to prevent heart disease in diabetics, according to a study conducted in Israel. Technion-Israel Institute of Technology scientists found that diabetics who drank 6 oz. of pomegranate juice every day for 90 days lessened their risk of developing atherosclerosis. Another possible benefit of pomegranate juice is that it may inhibit the development of lung cancer.

    Effects

    • Another potential benefit of pomegranate juice is that is believed to slow the growth of prostate cancer. It was shown to slow the growth of prostate cancer in mice. Drinking just 8 oz. of pomegranate juice every apparently keeps PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels stable and may reduce the need for additional treatment of prostate cancer, such as chemotherapy.

    Research

    • Some early studies indicate pomegranate juice may be helpful in the prevention of heart disease, stroke and even heart attacks. However, many doctors advise their patients to drink pomegranate juice as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle that includes exercise. Drinking pomegranate juice alone does not prevent or treat heart disease, although it does help prevent the formation of plaque in the arteries.

    Alzheimers

    • Pomegranate juice also may help in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease because it retards the formation of amyloid plaque and improves mental functioning. Amyloid plaque is found outside the neurons in the brain. An increased amount of this plaque is found in the Alzheimer's patients compared to patients without the disease.

    Cholesterol and Dental Protection

    • Lowering bad cholesterol and raising good cholesterol are other benefits of drinking pomegranate juice. One way to prevent the formation of dental plaque is to drink pomegranate juice.

    Osteoarthritis

    • Applied directly to damaged cartilage, pomegranate has been shown to help repair it. However, more research is needed to determine if drinking pomegranate juice would have the same affect on osteoarthritis.

    Blood Pressure

    • Pomegranate juice also has been shown to lower blood pressure by as much as 5 percent, simply by drinking 1.7 ounces of it per day. Consult with your physician before starting any program with pomegranate juice.

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