A healthy and tasty way to start the day? With a glass of pomegranate juice. In fact, the juice of this ruby-colored fruit is a precious source of properties for health, protecting the body from damage of free radicals, from inflammation but also from viruses. Let's try to understand better on the basis of the most recent scientific research.
Pomegranate juice and photo-aging
Oral intake of pomegranate juice has been shown to protect the skin from UV damage, increasing resistance and reducing erythema and the formation of dark spots. In particular, this beneficial effect was observed with the integration into the diet of about 230 ml of pomegranate juice per day for 3 months. It is believed that the protective properties of the skin are due to some antioxidant substances, contained in pomegranate juice and then released into the bloodstream, such as ellagic acid and urolithin A (Henning et al, Scientific Reports, 2019).
Pomegranate and antiviral properties
The thin white skin surrounding the pomegranate seeds is not a waste product but a powerful source of antioxidant and antiviral substances. It has been observed that this white skin is able to inhibit the interaction between the SARS-COV-2 virus and the ACE2 enzyme, considered the gateway to the virus in the body (Tito et al, Frontiers in Chemistry, 2020). So, when you deseed the pomegranate do not throw away all the peel but leave some small parts that you can add, along with the seeds, to yogurt or fruit salads. In addition, pomegranate juice also contains some of the antioxidants of the peel.
Pomegranate juice, blood pressure and blood sugar
Scientific studies have shown that the intake of pomegranate juice helps to lower blood pressure (Gimenez Bastida et al, Trends in Food Science & Technology, 2021). Not only that, it has been observed that the polyphenols in pomegranate juice are able to reduce the postprandial glycemic peak after the intake of foods with a high glycemic index, such as white bread. This effect, however, was only recorded following the intake of pomegranate juice and not supplements and extracts containing the same polyphenols (Kerimi et al, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2017). Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the antidiabetic action of the pomegranate is due to the synergy of antioxidants and nutrients present in the juice.
Pomegranate and inflammations
The pomegranate is also anti-inflammatory and therefore proves useful in combating inflammatory disorders such as arthritis, asthma, but also allergic rhinitis and eczema. Not only that, the ability to fight inflammation makes the pomegranate an ally to strengthen the immune system (Rasheed et al, Journal of inflammation, 2009).
Pomegranate and physical activity
The pomegranate fruit provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances, precious polyphenols and nitric oxide that, together, improve blood circulation and oxygen supply (Crum et al, J Int Soc Sports Nutr, 2017). This property has made it possible to observe that the pomegranate is able to improve resistance to fatigue and to support the recovery of the muscles after a great effort (Torregrosa-García et al, Nutrients, 2019).
