Pomegranate may not have loads of nutrients compared to other fruits, but it is packed with antioxidants and has gotten the reputation as a super food.
How to measure antioxidant property?
The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) measures the power of antioxidant property in any food. The higher the ORAC score, the better is the food in neutralizing the free radicals, which are responsible for degenerative disease and aging.
Pomegranate contains vitamin C, vitamin B5, phytochemicals and potassium. A compound called punicalagins is responsible for the powerful antioxidant property. Just to give an idea how powerful the antioxidant property is, below are some examples of the ORAC values of some foods.
- Acai berry – 102 700
- Apple – 2828
- Pomegranate raw – 4479
- Pomegranate juice – 2681
- Green tea – 520
- Strawberries – 4302
What are the benefits of pomegranate?
1) Antioxidant properties
Pomegranate prevents the oxidation of bad cholesterol (LDL), thereby, preventing inflammation and the development of plague, which causes heart disease and high blood pressure. Pomegranate also increases the nitric oxide content in the blood. Nitric oxide is an important component in keeping the blood vessel supple, flexible and increasing blood circulation.
The American Journal of Cardiology reported a study on 45 heart patients drinking 8 oz of pomegranate juice daily for 3 months, resulted in a reduction in LDL, improvement in blood flow to the heart, reduction the thickening of arteries and reduction in blood pressure.
2) Prostate Cancer
Harvard Men’s Health Watch reported in April 2007 issue that pomegranate juice can fight prostate cancer.
Proceedings of National Academy of Science, September 26, 2005 issue reported mice treated with pomegranate extract delay the development of tumors and increase the survival rate.
3) Arthritis
Due to the high antioxidant property, pomegranate helps to prevent cartilage degeneration and inflammation from osteoarthritis.
A study reported in the Journal of Nutrition September 2005 showed tissue culture of human cartilage cells, when treated with pomegranate extract, there was a reduction in inflammation and enzymatic breakdown of the cartilage tissues.
4) Erectile Dysfunction
Due to the ability to increase blood flow, pomegranate helps to treat impotence in men. International Journal Impotence Research reported a study on 61 male with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction. The men drank 8 oz of pomegranate juice daily for 4 weeks and 50% were found to have more erection after 4 weeks.
As you can see from the benefits of pomegranate that it is good to eat this regularly. Eating fresh fruits is the best. But the juice will also give you the benefits.
Pomegranate is not just beneficial for our health it is also good for skin care and beauty. I will cover this in my next post.
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