By. Dr. Brent Waterman, A BioVeda Health and Wellness Center in San Ramon, CA
Organic foods are gaining more and more popularity these days. Being grown by experienced farmers who do nothing more than nurture the growing produce, organic foods are also devoid of additives or pesticides. Due to those wanting more from their health almost every variety of food is available in organic variants. A prominent one is pomegranate. Pomegranate juice has become highly popular over the past few years due to the numerous health benefits it provides. In this blog I will cover some research on why you should jump on the pomegranate train!
Pomegranate juice is beneficial in myriad ways. By consuming pomegranate juice on a regular basis, many problems like Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease, osteoarthritis, and lung cancer can be prevented. Pomegranate juice is also found effective in lowering systolic blood pressure by as much as 5 %. It is digested easily and helps to bind the stool. Being sour and sweet in taste, it serves as a natural astringent. The juice is rich in Vitamins A, C, E and Folic acid. Furthermore, pomegranate juice has a sycophantic quality and helps tone down stomach inflammation.
In the past few years, research on benefits of pomegranate juice has exploded. Studies are done to find mechanisms of how pomegranate juice can fight cancer, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and slow the wear and tear of human cartilage.
In a major Journal of Clinical Nutrition research conducted in 2004, the effects of pomegranate juice was studied on atherosclerotic patients with ‘Carotid Artery Stenosis’. The juice was administered to 10 patients for a period of 1 year (5 of them continued having pomegranate juice for up to 3 years). The results from blood samples revealed that in the group that did not drink pomegranate juice, showed general carotid Intima-media (blood vessel lining) thickness increase by 9% in 1 year. However, those who consumed pomegranate juice, showed a significant reduction in Intima-media (blood vessel lining) thickness (by up to 30% in 1 year). Some other noticeable findings of the study were:
* The Paraoxonase 1 (PON 1) activity of patient’s increased by 83%.
* Serum LDL basal oxidative state reduced significantly by 90%.
* LDL susceptibility to copper ion induced oxidation also lowered by 59%
* Parallel serum total antioxidant status improved by 130%.
* Systolic blood pressure reduced by 21%.
The majority of the cardiovascular diseases are caused due to oxidative stress. Pomegranate juice possesses remarkable anti-oxidative properties due to its tannins, polyphenolics and anthocyanins content. The pomegranate juice was used in the study since it is very rich in poly-phenols and exhibits high capability to hunt for free radicals and to slow down LDL oxidation (bad cholesterol).
Besides these, pomegranate juice has been used in other studies too. In a 2005 study published in the Journal of Nutrition, pomegranate compounds reportedly slowed the human cartilage’s deterioration, which is the prime cause of osteoarthritis. In a separate study, researchers found that pomegranate juice has the ability to slow down the growth of human lung and prostate cancer cells. Researchers from University of California, Los Angeles have established that pomegranate juice contains more antioxidants than orange juice, acai berry juice, blueberry juice, red wine, concord grape juice, white tea and green tea.
All vegetables and fruits have marvelous health advancing properties, particularly the organic varieties. Visit a BioVeda Health and Wellness Center to know more on how to develop a natural and holistic lifestyle full of opportunity.
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