Pomegranate, a fruit rich in vitamin C, is a fruit grown in tropical and subtropical climates. The homeland of pomegranate is the Middle East and the Caucasus.

The benefits of pomegranate include strengthening immunity, fighting infections, being effective against cancer, heart and diabetes, and giving a feeling of satiety for a long time.

Pomegranate, which is very beneficial for health, can cause discomfort in some cases.

Pain in people with stomach ailments; Among the harms of pomegranate, it can be shown that it causes digestive system disorders and allergic reactions. Pomegranate extract can cause uterine contractions in pregnant women.

What Vitamins and Minerals Does Pomegranate Contain?

High amount in pomegranate flowers, leaves, fruits, seeds and peel; It has antioxidants, phenolic compounds and vitamin C.

The consumed part of the pomegranate; It contains acid, sugar, vitamins, polysaccharides, Polyphenols (Natural compounds that give color to plants) and minerals.

Pomegranate extracts; It has antidiabetic (blood sugar level controller), anti-inflammatory (anti-inflammatory and anti-edema) and antioxidant (preventing cell damage) effects.

Pomegranate:

• Linoleic acid (Helps strengthen the skin barrier)
• Punic acid (Contributes to moisturizing the skin and preventing moisture loss.)
• Palmitic acid (Immune booster, effective against inflammation, stomach and intestinal ulcers.)
• It is very rich in stearic acid

Pomegranate juice;

It is a rich source of antioxidants. Contains Vitamins C and E, Coenzyme Q10. It also contains bioactive compounds such as fructose, glucose, pectin, citric acid, malic acid, phenolics and flavonoids.

Health Benefits of Pomegranate

Heals Prostate Cancer

One study found that men who were treated for prostate cancer and drank an eight-ounce glass of pomegranate juice each day experienced an increase in PSA levels when their PSA levels remained almost 4-fold. Other research has shown that pomegranate extract can slow the proliferation of prostate cancer cells by inducing apoptosis.

Fights Inflammation

Pomegranate has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, and pomegranate extract is used in alternative medicine to treat inflammatory conditions. A study has shown that taking pomegranate extract can help reduce the production of chemicals that cause inflammation. The results suggest that pomegranate extract may provide relief for chronic inflammatory conditions.

Other research has shown that individuals with diabetes who consume 250 ml of pomegranate juice per day experience a reduction in the inflammatory markers interleukin-6 and CRP.

Slows Cartilage Destruction in Osteoarthritis

According to one study, pomegranate extract can block enzymes that contribute to osteoarthritis. The study examined the effectiveness of pomegranate extract against the proinflammatory protein molecule Interleukin-1b (IL-1b), which plays an important role in osteoarthritis cartilage destruction.

IL-1b protein molecules overproduce other inflammatory molecules, including matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), which are tightly regulated enzymes essential for tissue remodeling. This breaks down the cartilage, causing destruction and damage to the joints.

Study results show that pomegranate inhibits the overproduction of MMP enzymes in cartilage cells.

Reduces Risk of Heart Disease

Studies have shown that pomegranate juice can improve levels of inflammatory markers for heart disease. For the study, rats placed on a high-calorie, obesity-inducing diet were given pomegranate juice. They then measured physiological markers that indicate heart-related conditions such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and inflammation.

The results revealed that pomegranate juice reduced the concentration of bad LDL cholesterol by 39% and increased good HDL cholesterol by 27%, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease by 12-18%. They also found a 24% reduction in blood pressure and a reduction in blood vessel inflammation levels.

Lowers High Blood Pressure

Pomegranate juice lowers blood pressure by acting as an ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor. Medications to lower high blood pressure, such as lisinopril, are ACE inhibitors and work by reducing the activity of angiotensin, a peptide hormone that causes an increase in blood pressure.

Researchers gave hypertensive individuals 50 ml of pomegranate juice each day. 70% of the participants experienced a mean 36% reduction in ACE activity and a statistically significant 5% reduction in systolic blood pressure.

Another study found that people with high blood pressure significantly reduced their blood pressure after consuming 150 ml of pomegranate juice daily for 2 weeks.