Theyre delicious and full of heart-healthy antioxidants -- should you add pomegranates to your diet?
The pomegranate, a rosy-red fruit containing glistening red seeds surrounded by pulp, is harvested in the autumn and is now starting to appear in produce sections. An ancient fruit native to the Middle East, the pomegranate has long been valued for its supposed medicinal properties. Recently, scientists have begun gathering evidence to support some of these claims. Recent laboratory studies suggest that powerful antioxidants called polyphenols in pomegranate juice can reduce the progression of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries by inhibiting the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. The pomegranate juice also appears to stimulate the production of nitric oxide, a chemical that helps blood vessels relax.
If you are considering adding pomegranate juice or the fruit itself to your diet (remember, only the small juice sacs holding the fruits seeds are edible), there are a few things to keep in mind. Thus far, most data supporting the pomegranates potential health benefits come from laboratory studies and cannot be readily extrapolated to humans. In addition, several large clinical trials failed to show that antioxidants can prevent heart attacks or other major cardiovascular events -- so recent findings need to be kept in perspective.
Another factor to bear in mind is the added calories. Some experts estimate that you would have to drink about 16 oz., or 2 large glasses, of pomegranate juice daily to obtain significant cardiovascular benefits thats about 280 calories. Also, consider cost. A 16-oz. bottle of pomegranate juice costs at least $3.30. Finally, another recent study found that pomegranate juice inhibits an enzyme that may alter the metabolism of certain drugs, but more research is needed to determine the implications of these findings for humans. Still, pomegranates are a good source of potassium and vitamin C, and you may want to consider incorporating either the fruit or the juice into your 2 to 4 daily servings of fruit.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician. Click here for additional information: Johns
Hopkins Health Alerts Disclaimer
Users and editors may post comments here at their own discretion. The views expressed do not constitute medical advice and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins Medicine or University Health Publishing, which has no responsibility for its content.
Are there any drug/ vitamin interactions to worry about while taking Pomegranate juice?
I use Plavix, Metoprolol, and take standard vitamins.
Will Pomegranate juice cause dental problems?
Thank You!
Posted by: thebenders | September 16, 2006
Post a Comment
Comment(offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)
YES! Send me my FREE Special Report and FREE Health Alerts.
Johns Hopkins Bestsellers
Nutrition and Weight Control
Our Featured Title:
2008 Nutrition & Weight Control White Paper Featured highlights for 2008 include: the alarming truth about trans fats that food manufacturers hope you never learn; forget what youve heard: Here are the REAL reasons Americans are too fat; the best way to rev up your aging metabolism to burn more calories; what everyday life is really like after bariatric (obesity) surgery; a whole new way of thinking about nuts, and why nut-eaters tend to weight less; nutritionists' shortcuts for getting the 2 to 4 cups of vegetables your body needs every day; and much, much more. PLUS, get your special discount and FREE Special Report: Better Health by the Plateful! through this exclusive web-only offer. Read more or order the INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD EDITION Read more or order the PRINT EDITION
Related Titles:
2008 Heart Attack Prevention White Paper Featured highlights for 2008 include: new research on inflammation as the cause of heart attacks; whos a candidate for a stress test, and why its not for everyone; why doctors are debating metabolic syndrome, and its role in your risk of heart attack; when every minute counts: what to do first and fast in the event of a heart attack; are premium cholesterol tests better than the standard ones? Johns Hopkins doctors speak out; WARNING: medications that can raise your risk of having a heart attack; steps you can take NOW to reverse plaque build-up in your arteries; and much more. PLUS, get your special discount and FREE Special Report: Tested, Proven Ways to Save Your Heart through this exclusive web-only offer. Read more or order the INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD EDITION Read more or order the PRINT EDITION
2008 Coronary Heart Disease White Paper This White Paper reports on the latest life-saving advances for your heart health, to help you prevent or treat coronary heart disease. Topics include angina; cardiac arrhythmias; and congestive heart failure. Feature highlights for 2008 include: the promise of stem cells to heal the heart after an MI; steps you must take quickly to survive cardiac arrest; how low is low enough, when it comes to your cholesterol; aortic stenosis: what to do when your aortic valve is narrowing along with your arteries; what an eye exam can reveal about the health of your heart; the latest on the first new angina drug in 20 years—will it be the answer to your chest pains?; the threat of sleep apnea to your heart, and how to lower your risk; and much more. PLUS, get your special discount and FREE Special Report: Healthier Heart, Longer Life through this exclusive web-only offer. Read more or order the INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD EDITION Read more or order the PRINT EDITION
2008 Diabetes White Paper The 2008 Diabetes White Paper teaches you how to manage your Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and avoid complications, such as foot problems and vision changes. It reviews the latest tools for monitoring your blood glucose and the newest medications for controlling it. Featured highlights for 2008 include: myths and misconceptions about insulin therapy; tests your doctor should be doing to detect diabetes-related nerve damage; the best insulin for people who inject just once a day; exploring your options when diabetes disrupts your sex life; special considerations for diabetics facing heart surgery; and much more. PLUS, get your special discount and FREE Special Report: Dealing with Diabetes through this exclusive web-only offer. Read more or order the INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD EDITION Read more or order the PRINT EDITION
Recipes for Weight Loss Along with engaging in regular exercise and not smoking, keeping your weight under control is one of the most important ways to achieve good health. Any weight loss strategy should include foods that you will enjoy eating for the rest of your life, not just a few weeks or months. The recipes in this book use nutritious, readily available foods that offer a wealth of sensory pleasures and satisfying flavors and textures. Read more
The Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to Health After 50 A comprehensive home medical encyclopedia that gives you a crash course on more than 100 major medical concerns of men and women over 50! Organized in an easy-to-use A to Z format, the Medical Guide provides in-depth explanations of the many chronic health problems associated with aging high blood pressure, stroke, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, dementia, memory loss, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and gallstones, to name but a few.Read more or order...
Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies This easy-to-use reference book can help you pinpoint the causes of hundreds of disorders, from abdominal pain to skin rash to swollen glands. The book is divided into two distinct sections: symptoms, which includes charts covering a wide range of common symptoms and possible diagnoses, and disorders, which discusses the disorder, its causes, prevention advice, treatment strategies, and other crucial information so you will be able to either treat yourself at home, or know when it's time to call a doctor. Read more or order...
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician.
Please send me The 2007 Johns Hopkins White Paper: Nutrition and Weight Control!
Yes! Please send me The 2007 Johns Hopkins White Paper: Nutrition and Weight Control for just $19.95, plus $2.95 shipping and handling.
Annual updates will be offered to me by announcement card. I need to do nothing if I wish the update to be sent automatically. If I do not want it, I will return the announcement card. The update is completely optional and will never be sent without a prior announcement.
The Johns Hopkins Nutrition and Weight Control for Longevity White Paper reports on the most exciting findings and the most useful, current information on healthful eating and weight control as a means to living a longer, healthier life.
The Johns Hopkins Nutrition and Weight Control for Longevity White Paper provides a thorough overview of what the nutrition field knows about eating right and maintaining a healthy weight. It reports on the latest studies sometimes confirming what we already know about nutrition, and sometimes questioning our guidelines and current understanding (as the scientific process so often does).
PAY NOW AND GET AN ADDED BONUS!
Your risk-FREE preview.The 2007 Johns Hopkins White Papers are yours to review risk-free. If you are not satisfied, simply return the White Paper, no questions asked. If you have paid by credit card in advance, you will receive a prompt refund, and may keep your FREE Special Report just for reviewing The 2007 Johns Hopkins White Papers.
Only by private subscription. Don't bother looking for The 2007 Johns Hopkins White Papers on the newsstand or bookstore shelves. They are available only by private purchase, delivered directly to you.