Pomegranate Juice Analysis

Cultivated in India, Spain and Israel since ancient times (and, more recently, in the United States), the fruit of the pomegranate tree produces an extraordinarily polyphenol-rich, delicious fruit juice. Researchers at Oklahoma State University, among others, have proven that pomegranate juice is one of the most heart-healthy fruit juices one can drink. Additional clinical research is underway to understand the juice's unique antioxidant and cardioprotective effects.

Features

• The juice of the pomegranate fruit has been scientifically proven to have the highest levels of antioxidants of all the polyphenol-rich drinks commonly sipped in the United States. The juice has an antioxidant quotient that's a full three times higher than both red wine and green tea, as well as far more free-radical-scavenging power than other fruit juices (such as grape or cranberry). The kinds of polyphenols that are contained in pomegranate juice and are responsible for all this health-supporting power are called ellagitannins and anthocyanins. Ninety-two percent of the active antioxidants in the juice are ellagitannins, which are found in the peel and pith.

Effects

• Pomegranate polyphenols protect the heart, but that's not all; they have a range of other beneficial effects. While red wine and tea work to increase the body's natural capacity to protect itself against oxidization, pomegranate juice goes beyond that to actually reverse the progression of ischemic lesions and normalize blood pressure. Unlike some other supplements, the juice is just as effective when it's not the only element in the mix--it has notable health-promoting effects even on patients who are already on multiple medications for their heart conditions.

Considerations

• Raw pomegranate juice, as it has not been subjected to the nutrient-killing effects of heat processing, is always healthier than the pasteurized variety. If the juice is packaged in glass instead of Bisphenol-A-leaching plastic, so much the better. Organic pomegranate juice is proven to have much more significant phytonutrient concentration. The farming method is also better for the environment, and the levels of vitamins and minerals will be higher if the source pomegranates were grown organically.

Benefits

• The benefits of high-quality pomegranate juice are many. In a series of studies carried out on groups of humans and lab rodents at Oklahoma State University, the juice has been shown to act not only as an antioxidant but also having antiatherogenic (non-plaque-forming), antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory effects. Interestingly, patients with type 2 diabetes who were given a dosage of pomegranate juice experienced decreased lipid peroxidization, lessening somewhat the cardiological dangers of the disease. Hypertensive patients given pomegranate juice experienced a decrease in systolic blood pressure.

Warning

• It's important to read labels carefully when choosing a pomegranate juice as a nutritional supplement. Many pomegranate juices on the market are cut with cheaper juices, such as grape or apple, that have a far emptier nutritional profile. Additionally, it's best to avoid juices made from concentrate, as they have a tendency to be shipped long distances (from central Asia, for instance) and rehydrated once they make it to the States. The removal of the water for shipping drains many of the original nutrients, reducing the health benefits of the juice.

Potential

• There's a chance that pomegranate juice can be a powerful weapon in the fight against breast cancer--a boon for women's health in general. Some tests have been run on the effects of fermented juice, seed oil and pulp extract (all of which are found in high-quality, raw pomegranate juice) on metastatic breast cancer cells. The pomegranate actually caused cancer cells to self-destruct while remaining nontoxic to the healthy cells. Beyond that, anecdotal evidence abounds of the juice's health benefits for women, especially for those in menopause and just beyond. There are many reports of relief from hot flashes, dryness and headaches when pomegranate is taken as part of the diet. This may be due to the fruit's estrogenic qualities.