What Is Pomegranate Juice?
This tangy drink may help improve heart health and infection risks
Pomegranate juice has become a famous drink. That's in large part due to well-trumpeted health claims. It may lower inflammation, improve heart health, and more.
Research supports some health claims but also has found some safety concerns. This article looks at the science, side effects and negative interactions, plus how to best choose, use, or even make your own pomegranate juice.
Pomegranates are the fruit of the Punica granatum tree. The fruit itself is bitter so only the seeds are eaten. One pomegranate has nearly 30 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C. That's about 40% of the daily recommendation.
Uses
The health benefits of pomegranates and their juice have been fairly well researched. Still, much of it is preliminary.
The main uses are:
Improving heart health
Lowering inflammation
Protecting against infection
Reducing dental plaque
Heart Health
A review of research says pomegranate juice may lower blood pressure and improve high blood pressure (hypertension) risk factors.1
One rodent study suggests the juice is more effective than seeds for lowering inflammation and cholesterol.2 Those are both considered risk factors for heart disease.3
Inflammation and Infection
A review of studies suggests pomegranate may help fight chronic inflammation. That may give it a use in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).7 Larger and better-designed trials are needed, though.
Inflammation is part of your immune response to infection. Studies suggest pomegranate juice may help ward off infections. In one study, dialysis patients had:8
Fewer hospitalizations for infections
Fewer signs of inflammation
Again, more research is needed.
Dental Plaque
Limited evidence suggests pomegranate juice may help control dental plaque.
a small study, 30 people used either a pomegranate dental rinse, an antiseptic dental rinse, or water. Researchers found the pomegranate solution performed just as well as the antiseptic solution. It had no negative side effects.9
It also appeared to inhibit the growth of germs that contribute to periodontitis (an inflammatory gum disease).10
Other Uses
Research is ongoing into other health benefits of pomegranate, including:
Cancer prevention11
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
Diabetes
Erectile dysfunction12
Kidney disease13
It's too soon to know whether it's safe and effective for these conditions.
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