Pomegranate

Pomegranate Benefits

Athletes and weight training enthusiasts take advantage of pomegranate’s known health benefits by eating pomegranates in season or consuming pomegranate extract. Here are some proven examples of the benefits:

• According to an article published by Time Magazine, pomegranate juice contains a powerful antioxidant and polyphenol cocktail to combat cancer and heart disease.
• The Mayo Clinicconcludes that pomegranate slows or blocks arterial buildup from cholesterol. Research to date hasn't conclusively proven that pomegranate juice or extract lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) production in the body.
• The University of Chicago and Radiant Research determined that the thickness of artery walls slowed—along with reduced cholesterol and circulating triglycerides—with the consumption of pomegranate.  

According to the National Institutes of Health, pomegranate is used by people to promote health and healing from conditions including:

• Heart and vessel diseases and conditions, including high blood pressure, heart attack, congestive heart failure (CHF), atherosclerosis (artery disease) and high cholesterol
• Digestive and intestinal problems, including dysentery, diarrhea and parasites
• Anti-pathogenic protection against influenza virus, gum disease, bleeding, erectile dysfunction, sore throat and hemorrhoids

Research concludes pomegranate doesn’t help people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

There’s some evidence that pomegranate helps lower cholesterol and high blood pressure. Consuming pomegranate extract may also help protect the carotid arteries in the neck from atherosclerotic deposits.

There’s also evidence that pomegranate can help people with gum disease or slow the progression of prostate cancer. Pomegranate extract slows the proliferation of prostate cancer cells according to “Pomegranates: Ancient Roots to Modern Medicine” by Navindra P. Seeram, Risa N. Schulman and David Heber.

Ellagic acid, a plentiful polyphenol found in pomegranate fruit, juice and extract, shows potential as a natural cancer-fighting compound.

According to the NIH, researchers aren’t certain that drinking pomegranate juice or taking extracts delivers the same health benefits as eating fresh pomegranate seeds. However, taking capsules instead of market-purchased juice avoids consuming sugars and other additives.

Pomegranate Side Effects

Pomegranates and pomegranate juice are considered safe for most people. Some individuals may be allergic to pomegranates, or the pesticides used in growing the fruit. The root portion of the fruit is possibly toxic, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Pregnant and lactating women should use pomegranate extract and supplements with caution. Consult your health care practitioner before using these supplements during pregnancy or when breastfeeding a baby.

Pomegranate Dosage and Possible Interactions

Consult a physician before adding pomegranate extract or juice supplements to your health regimen. Determining the appropriate dosage depends on the user’s age, health, metabolism and other factors. Follow any directions provided on the product label. Ask your pharmacist or physician about any concerns.

Always tell your doctor about any medicines and supplements you take. These drugs and supplements may interact with pomegranate juice and extract products.  Tell your doctor about any blood pressure, blood-thinner or cholesterol medicines you take:

1. Tegretol (Carbamazepine): Consuming pomegranate along with Tegretol may slow down the body’s ability to break down Tegretol. Effects or side effects associated with the drug may increase as a result.
2. Medicines that must be converted for use by the body:

• Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates:  Including Celebrex (celecoxib), Voltaren (diclofenac), Lescol (fluvastatin), Glucotrol (glipizide), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, generics), Cozaar (losartan), Dilantin (phenytoin), Nolvadex (tamoxifen), Tolinase (tolbutamide), Coumadin (S-warfarin) and Feldene (piroxicam) are some of the drugs potentially affected by pomegranate and extract consumption.
• Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates:  Including codeine, Tambocor (flecainide), Zofran (ondansetron), Elavil (amitriptyline)and others.
• Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates: Including Cardizem (diltiazem), Novasc (amlodipine), Veran (verapamil), Sublimaze (fentanyl), Zofran (ondansetron) and others.

Pomegranate and Potential Supplement Interactions

According to the National Institutes of Health and other studies, pomegranate appears to have the potential to lower blood pressure. If you take other supplements to support heart health, such as valerian, turmeric (as a supplement or as a spice additive to your recipes), ginger (fresh root or supplement), danshen, ginseng or Coenzyme Q-10, tell your doctor.

Dosages of your medicines and supplements should be reviewed often. Weight training and athletic activity benefits general health and heart activity, and should be considered along with supplement use. Use the supplement finder and the free Fitness Report Card to get moving in the right direction now!