POMEGRANATE: An emblem of fertility, rebirth, and health....

 

HEALTH BENEFITS OF POMEGRANATE

THE FRUIT

Pomegranates grow wild from Iran to northern India, but they are cultivated throughout India, the Middle East, southern Europe and California. Scientists in Israel have been conducting research on the health benefits of pomegranates and pomegranate juice for years, and now others have joined in.

Pomegranate is an emblem of fertility, rebirth, and health.  It is packed with lots of antioxidants that may help in maintaining a smooth and wrinkle free skin and the possibility of helping people to maintain youthful and glowing skin by keeping the blood platelets together.

THE JUICE

Pomegranate juice has become popular in the past few years.

1.       Prevention From cancer

·         Fights Breast Cancer

Studies in Israel show that pomegranate juice destroys breast cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. It may also prevent breast cancer cells from forming. 

·         Lung Cancer Prevention

Studies in mice show that pomegranate juice may inhibit the development of lung cancer.

·         Slows Prostate Cancer

Pomegranate compounds might prevent prostate cancer or slow its growth. In mice, treatment with pomegranate extract delayed the development of tumors and improved survival (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Sept. 26, 2005).

·         Keeps PSA Levels Stable

In a study of 50 men who had undergone treatment for prostate cancer, 8 ounces of pomegranate juice per day kept PSA levels stable, reducing the need for further treatment such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy.

2.       Protects the Neonatal Brain

Studies show that maternal consumption of pomegranate juice may protect the neonatal brain from damage after injury.

3.       Prevention of Osteoarthritis

Several studies indicate that pomegranate juice may prevent cartilage deterioration.  Scientists at Case Western Reserve University have reported that tissue cultures of human cartilage cells respond to pomegranate extract.  Inflammation is reduced and the enzymes that break down cartilage become less active (Journal of Nutrition, Sept. 2005).

4.       Protects the Arteries

It prevents plaque from building up in the arteries and may reverse    
previous plaque          

buildup.

5.       Alzheimer's Disease Prevention

It may prevent and slow Alzheimer's disease. In one study, mice bred to develop Alzheimer's disease were given pomegranate juice. They accumulated significantly less amyloid plaque than control mice and they performed mental tasks better.

6.       Lowers Cholesterol

It lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (bad cholesterol) and raises HDL (good cholesterol).  They are rich in antioxidants that can keep bad LDL cholesterol from oxidizing (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, May 2000).

7.       Lowers Blood Pressure

One study showed that drinking 1.7 ounces of pomegranate juice per day lowered systolic blood pressure by as much as 5 percent.

8.       Dental Protection

Research suggests that drinking pomegranate juice may be a natural way to prevent dental plaque.

9.       Prevent Blood Clot

Pomegranate juice, like aspirin, can help keep blood platelets from clumping together to form unwanted clots.

10.     Increase Amount Of Oxygen

Improved the amount of oxygen getting to the heart muscle of patients with coronary heart disease (American Journal of the College of Cardiology, Sept. 2005).

11.     Combat Erectile Dysfunction

Other researchers report that long-term consumption of pomegranate juice may help combat erectile dysfunction (Journal of Urology, July 2005).

12.     Calm Diarrhea

One traditional use of pomegranate juice is to calm diarrhea.  You can actually get constipated if you drink too much.

REFERENCES:

1.         http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/11-health-benefits-of-pomegranate-juice.html

2.         http://www.healthcentral.com/peoplespharmacy/408/61202.html

3.         http://ezinearticles.com/?12-Pomegranate-Health-Benefits