Most Fabulous Ways Pomegranates Can Boost Your Health

Like a scattering of rubies, fresh pomegranate seeds look delightful strewn across a salad. Or perhaps you prefer the crimson allure of a glass of pomegranate juice? Whichever way you like your pomegranate, it would be hard to find an autumn fruit packed with more healthy ingredients than this popular Middle Eastern treat with its gloriously rich color and sharply astringent tang. The pomegranate not only looks and tastes wonderful, but it’s also fast gaining a reputation as a superfood that can help tackle a range of health issues naturally.

1. Heart disease

Pomegranates contain antioxidants, which play an important part in helping us reduce the risk of heart disease. Antioxidants in pomegranates work in two important ways. Firstly, they limit the

buildup of harmful cholesterol plaque deposits in our arteries (which cause the heart to work harder when pumping our blood through our bodies to our vital organs). Secondly, they can reduce as much as 50% of the damage caused by this plaque. One scientific experiment revealed that drinking around 240 ml of pomegranate juice daily for three months improves blood flow to the heart.

2. Strokes

Improved cardiovascular health has an impact on our stroke risk. A study in 2005 showed that drinking daily servings of 50ml of pomegranate juice improved stress-related limitations to blood flow.

3. Cancer

There is a constantly evolving body of research on whether ingredients in pomegranates can improve or slow the growth of abnormal cells. Although it’s very early days, and many more investigations need to be carried out, early signs indicate that there could be some success in this area. For example, one small study showed that patients with prostate cancer who drank 230 ml of pomegranate juice daily had a slower rate of tumor growth than those who didn’t. In laboratory studies, some elements in pomegranates also appear have an inhibiting effect on mutated cells in several different forms of cancer.

4. Osteoporosis

Our bodies contain two kinds of bone cells—osteoblasts, which create new bone cells, and osteoclasts, which remove old bone. In osteoporosis, this system becomes unbalanced and old bone is removed faster than new bone can be grown, reducing bone density and strength. Tests in mice show that pomegranates boost osteoblast activity and reduce osteoclast activity, helping to improve bone density.

5. Digestive health

A properly functioning digestive system allows our body to absorb all the nutrients we need from our food and also lets the body dispose of waste products quickly and smoothly. Too little fiber in our diet can cause constipation, painful hemorrhoids, and colon problems such as colorectal cancer. One pomegranate contains 45% of our daily recommended fiber intake, helping to keep things moving healthily.

6. Degenerative conditions

Degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease seem to respond well to the health-giving properties of pomegranates. One scientific study showed that Alzheimer’s patients who drank pomegranate juice daily had around half the buildup of harmful chemicals in the hippocampus. This region of the brain has a significant impact on the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, such as memory loss.

7. Stress

Stress is considered by many to be the number one health problem of our age. When we’re stressed, we have increased levels of cortisol in our bodies. We need a degree of stress in our lives to motivate us, but high levels of cortisol over a prolonged period can lead to all kinds of health issues—for example, heart problems, stress-related illnesses and depression. Pomegranates have been shown to reduce cortisol levels in the body, thereby reducing our risk of developing stress-related health conditions.

8. Oral health

Lastly, scientific tests have shown that pomegranates can reduce the growth of oral plaque by up to 84%. Plaque on our teeth and gums allows bacteria to grow more quickly, which can cause tooth decay and gum disease.

With so many fabulous health benefits to offer, why not give your system a boost by indulging in a tasty pomegranate or a glass of chilled juice?