Superfood pomegranate helps fight cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer

By oliviacook // 2024-10-08

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The pomegranate is a sweet, ruby-red fruit that isn't just beautiful to look at, but is also emerging as a powerful ally in the fight against cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer. Pomegranates are packed with compounds that support overall health and well-being. Each part of the fruit – from the juicy seeds to the outer skin – is brimming with nutrients and bioactive compounds. The juice from the arils (those jewel-like seed pods) is loaded with plant-based compounds, such as flavonoids and tannins known for their antioxidant properties. These antioxidants help protect cells from damage and fight inflammation. Pomegranates also contain fatty acids, organic acids and even phytosterols, which are compounds that can help lower cholesterol levels. The thick outer layer of the fruit, called the pericarp, makes up almost half of the pomegranate's weight and contains some of its most potent ingredients. It is especially rich in ellagitannins and punicalagins – powerful antioxidants that neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. This part of the fruit is also a source of essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium, which are crucial for maintaining a healthy body. Pomegranate seeds are also full of healthy fats, including omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, which are important for heart health and reducing inflammation. They also contain organic acids like ascorbic acid (vitamin C), which supports immune function and citric acid, known for its cleansing properties. Even the leaves of the pomegranate tree play a role in promoting wellness. They contain tannins and flavonoids like apigenin and luteolin, compounds linked to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It is important to note that the exact nutrient profile of a pomegranate can vary depending on factors like where it's grown, how it's cultivated and how the fruit is processed. But no matter the variety, pomegranates are undoubtedly packed with health-promoting compounds.

Pomegranates help lower risk of cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of illness and death worldwide. While many factors, such as age, diet and lifestyle, play a role in heart disease, research shows that adding pomegranates to the diet help lower risk. Recent studies have shown that pomegranates contain a variety of compounds – like antioxidants, healthy acids and polyphenols – that can help protect the heart. One clinical trial in the Journal of Nutritional Science found that participants who took pomegranate extract daily saw a significant reduction in their blood pressure after just eight weeks. Researchers believe pomegranate's phenolic compounds help relax blood vessels and reduce hypertension, a major risk factor for heart disease. In another study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, researchers explored how pomegranate compounds might combat obesity and diabetes, which are both closely linked to heart disease. They treated fat cells with pomegranate juice and its active compounds – ellagic acid, punicalagin and urolithin A. These compounds not only reduced the accumulation of fat in the cells but also decreased the release of enzymes that promote blood sugar spikes and fat storage. This effect on fat and glucose metabolism is particularly promising for those at risk of diabetes – a major contributor to heart disease. In short, pomegranates and their bioactive compounds – especially punicalagins and urolithins – support heart health by lowering blood pressure, reducing cholesterol and helping the body manage fat and blood sugar.

Pomegranates help lower blood sugar levels

Pomegranates could also manage diabetes. A 2022 study in Antioxidants highlighted pomegranate juice's potential as a natural way to lower blood sugar levels thanks to its unique combination of bioactive compounds. These compounds work together to support the body’s ability to process glucose and reduce oxidative stress, which is a key driver of diabetes complications. Research shows that drinking pomegranate juice can boost insulin sensitivity and help cells absorb more glucose, which is essential for keeping blood sugar levels in check. The juice also helps protect the pancreas's beta-cells, which produce insulin and prevent the harmful buildup of sugars on proteins (a process known as glycation), which can damage tissues over time. Pomegranate compounds also act on key enzymes that regulate sugar breakdown in the body. For example, they inhibit enzymes like alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, which slow down the absorption of sugar from food. This means less sugar enters the bloodstream after meals – leading to more stable blood sugar levels. At the same time, the juice helps to reduce inflammation, which is often elevated in people with diabetes. In addition to its antioxidant properties, pomegranate juice also activates certain receptors, which improve the body's sensitivity to insulin. All of these actions combine to help the body regulate glucose more effectively – offering a natural way to support diabetes management.

Pomegranates help protect against certain types of cancer

Pomegranates are being explored for the potential to help protect against cancer. Thanks to their powerful bioactive compounds, including antioxidants like ellagic acid and punicalagin, pomegranates can influence key processes involved in cancer development. These compounds work in several ways to target cancer cells. First, they can slow down tumor growth by interfering with pathways cancer cells use to multiply. For example, pomegranate extracts have been shown to block specific proteins like cyclin D1, which cancer cells rely on to grow. In breast cancer cell models, pomegranate compounds also reduced the activity of estrogen receptors, which are involved in tumor proliferation. Pomegranate's anticancer effects extend beyond growth inhibition. Studies on lung and prostate cancer cells have shown that pomegranate compounds can trigger apoptosis – essentially causing cancer cells to self-destruct. In one study in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, extracts from the fruit's peel promoted the production of proteins that encourage cell death, while reducing the levels of proteins that prevent it. This dual action helps to limit cancer cell survival. (Related: Pomegranates are a cancer-fighting superfood: Here are 4 reasons why.) In addition to promoting apoptosis, pomegranates may help reduce the spread of cancer cells. They have been shown to inhibit metastasis – the process by which cancer spreads to other parts of the body – by blocking enzymes like MMP-2 and MMP-9, which play a role in tumor cell invasion. Overall, pomegranates show promising potential as a natural addition to cancer treatment strategies. Their compounds work at multiple levels – blocking growth, promoting cell death and preventing the spread of cancer. While more research is needed, these findings suggest pomegranates could play a supporting role in cancer prevention and therapy. Visit Superfoods.news for more stories like this. The Health Ranger Mike Adams talks about pomegranate fruit as a natural medicine and God's promise of abundance during his 18th sermon. Watch this video. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

NATURAL NEWS

Pomegranates help lower risk of cardiovascular diseases

Pomegranates help lower blood sugar levels

Pomegranates help protect against certain types of cancer

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