The health benefits of pomegranate juice

The Amazing and Wide-Ranging Health Benefits of Pomegranate Juice

Known about and widely valued for literally thousands of years, the health benefits of pomegranate juice are still being discussed, tested and enjoyed to this very day. In fact, the popularity of the pomegranate and its juice indicate that the health benefits of Pomegranate Juice may be even more popular today than ever before.

Native to and cultivated originally in the Middle East and Asia, the pomegranate and its long-living trees have spread out to Eastern Asia, Europe, Africa, and even North America and South America. The thick peel and internal white pulp membrane hold and protect the delicious arils or seed casings. Once separated, the arils of the pomegranate can be eaten whole, but throughout the world, they are typically used to make pomegranate juice, which is why the health benefits of pomegranate juice are widely known as opposed to the health benefits of pomegranate arils.

benefits of pomegranate juice

Pom Juice and its health benefits

These days, and especially in the last few years, pomegranate juice and its associated health benefits have become increasingly popular and talked about. This is due in large part to the antioxidants found in pomegranate juice. Red wine and green tea have long been known to be beneficial to our health and science has shown those health benefits come from the tannins in both red wine and green tea. Pomegranates are also rich with tannins, and scientists have reasoned that these abundant tannins are responsible for the health benefits of pomegranate juice, which can have more than 3 times the antioxidants than red wine or green tea.

Why is that important?

Antioxidants are known to attack and prevent damage from free radicals in your body, which are believed to play a part in Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer and other age-related diseases, like arthritis, heart disease and even pre-mature aging. When looked at in this light, the health benefits of pomegranate juice become increasingly attractive, as pomegranate juice is non-alcoholic, is delicious when served chilled or iced, and can be used to make a number of interesting and exotic dishes.

So what else can the health benefits of pomegranate juice help you with? Well, there is a long list of suggested uses. A study in Israel in 2004 showed that by drinking one glass of concentrated pomegranate juice every day for a year, blood pressure was reduced as well as exhibiting a reduction in LDL (bad cholesterol) and an increase in HDL (good cholesterol). Other studies from Israel have shown that it not only will destroy breast cancer cells, it could possibly prevent damaging breast cancer cells from starting in the first place.

Are those all the health benefits of pomegranate juice?

Hardly. Studies performed with mice have shown that drinking pomegranate juice may slow down not only the development of lung cancer, but also the growth of prostrate cancer. Drinking pomegranate juice every day can increase blood flow to the heart, resulting in improved heart function. It can prevent the build-up of plaque in arteries and can possibly reverse or decrease the amount of buildup already present. Expectant mothers who drink pomegranate juice daily can see the health benefits of pomegranate juice in their unborn babies by providing protection for the brain during difficult births. Pomegranate juice is even good for the teeth, reducing plaque and promoting dental health naturally.

As you can see there are a wide range of health benefits of Pomegranate Juice. Not all of these studies were performed on humans, many were performed on mice, but the research is promising and continuing. The greatest thing about all these benefits is that you can get them while drinking a delicious and refreshing drink.

Photo by Jovike

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