Insights & Discussion
Pomegranate juice intake can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure and inflammation markers, but may increase triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
In this double-blind crossover study involving 30 patients with metabolic syndrome, the subjects were given a daily dose of 500 ml pomegranate juice for a week. After a week-long "wash out" period, the participants were then given a placebo for another week. A range of metrics, including lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation) were measured at the beginning and end of the study.
After conducting a repeated measure analysis of variance and a t-test, the researchers found that compared to the placebo, pomegranate juice significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as inflammation markers. However, it also led to an increase in triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Other metrics such as the rest of the lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, insulin, and a measure of insulin resistance, showed no notable changes.
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Pomegranate extract could potentially benefit women's reproductive health, enhance fertility, regulate menstrual cycles, support pregnancy, and help treat polycystic ovary syndrome.
2024 Life Therapeutic Potential of Pomegranate Extract for Women’s Reproductive Health and Breast Cancer Jang JY, Kim D, Im E, Kim ND
Breast Cancer PCOS Pomegranate
In establishing the potential benefits of pomegranate extract in women's reproductive health, a wide array of methods was employed. Primarily, these included in vitro studies, animal modeling and certain clinical trials. Analyses of the antioxidant properties of the extract were done to ascertain its effectiveness in reducing oxidative stress and consequently, improving fertility. The influence of pomegranate extract on hormonal imbalances and menstrual regulation was also studied.
Discussions on the results emphasized the potential of pomegranate extract in supporting women's reproductive health. The extract was found beneficial in enhancing fertility, regulating menstruation and supporting pregnancy. Further, it could help in polycystic ovary syndrome therapy by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing oxidative damage. Its rich nutrient composition was appreciated for potentially fostering placental development and fetal growth, thus possibly mitigating the risk of early birth. Apart from reproductive health, some studies pointed towards pomegranate extract's potential anticancer properties, primarily against breast cancer.
Pomegranate extract supplements can help improve clinical symptoms and lower blood cell counts associated with inflammation in patients with allergic asthma.
2023 Frontiers in Pharmacology Does pomegranate extract supplementation improve the clinical symptoms of patients with allergic asthma? A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial Hosseini SA, Shateri Z, Abolnezhadian F, Maraghi E, Haddadzadeh Shoushtari M, Zilaee M
Randomised Controlled Trial Pomegranate
In this study, 64 participants with mild to moderate allergic asthma were randomly divided into two groups: a control group which was given placebo capsules and an intervention group which was given pomegranate extract capsules. The intervention group was administered a dosage of 250 milligrams of pomegranate extract twice daily over a period of eight weeks. The clinical symptoms and blood cell counts of all the participants were measured before starting the intervention and post the completion of it.
The results of the study indicated that the group which was given pomegranate extract exhibited considerable improvement in clinical symptoms like shortness of breath and restrictions on activity, as compared to the control group. Additionally, the participants in the intervention group displayed a substantive drop in eosinophil, basophil, and neutrophil counts. Notably, there was a statistically significant difference in the neutrophil and eosinophil levels between the two groups, which suggests that pomegranate extract supplementation might have potential therapeutic benefits for asthma patients.
Pomegranate and its components could offer considerable potential as dietary supplements or supports in treatment for cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular diseases.
2023 Antioxidants An Overview of the Health Benefits, Extraction Methods and Improving the Properties of Pomegranate Benedetti G, Zabini F, Tagliavento L, Meneguzzo F, Calderone V, Testai L
Review Article Cardiovascular Disease Pomegranate
The review examines a myriad of recent preclinical and clinical studies focusing on pomegranate. To harness the health benefits of pomegranate, different components were extracted and studied. These include juice from the fruit's edible arils, oil from the seeds, and bioactive products from the typically discarded peel. The research also considers advances in encapsulation and green extraction techniques to optimize the use of waste pomegranate products.
The studies suggest promising beneficial effects of pomegranate in diverse areas. Though challenges remain, such as limited oral bioavailability and uncertainty concerning the role of active metabolites, the collective findings offer crucial insight into the significant potential of pomegranate as a dietary supplement or co-therapy for a range of diseases, especially cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular ones.
Pomegranate and its by-products, particularly the peel, contain bioactive compounds with potential antimicrobial, anticancer and antiviral properties.
2023 Food Chemistry Advances The whole pomegranate (Punica granatum. L), biological properties and important findings: A review Valero-Mendoza AG, Meléndez-Rentería NP, Chávez-González ML, Flores-Gallegos AC, Wong-Paz JE, Govea-Salas M, et al.
Review Article Anticancer Antimicrobial Antiviral
In the methodological approach of the study, a comprehensive review was undertaken to collate information on the bioactive components found within pomegranates and their by-products (aril, seed, and peel). The study emphasized the pomegranate peel's properties owing to its high content of the bioactive compounds. The aim was to elucidate the nutritional and functional aspects of pomegranates, particularly as a functional food.
The results outlined that pomegranates, especially their peel, contain bioactive compounds, including punicalagin, punicalin, ellagic acid, punicic acid, and anthocyanins. Therefore, they have potential functional properties such as antimicrobial, anticancer, and antiviral characteristics. These results suggest that pomegranates could be explored to develop nutraceutical or functional food products due to their profound properties. The peel of the pomegranate, specifically, showcases significant potential for development due to its higher bioactive compound content compared to other parts of the fruit.
Pomegranate consumption positively affects triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
2023 Journal of Functional Foods The effects of pomegranate consumption on lipid profile in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis Bahari H, Rezaiian F, Goudarzi K, Nooshan Mirmohammadali S, Asbaghi O, sadat Hosseini kolbadi K, et al.
Systematic Review Cholesterol Pomegranate Triglyceride
To investigate the impact of pomegranate on lipid profiles, a comprehensive database search was completed up until June 2023, aiming to identify related trials. Statistically, the researchers employed the estimated 95% confidence and the weighted mean difference to measure the variables, including triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. They employed a random-effects model for their analysis.
The meta-analysis revealed that pomegranate intake significantly reduces triglyceride levels. Still, it doesn't notably alter the total cholesterol concentrations. Additionally, consuming pomegranate seemed to have a diminishing impact on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and an enhancing effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
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