Pomegranate juice has been long used for medicinal purposes. With more than 100 phytochemicals such as antioxidants, flavonoids, and other compounds, it has the potential to help with cancer prevention, fertility, and immune support. Drinking pomegranate juice allows for the faster absorption of nutrients in the body for growth, development, and healing. In today’s article, we will discuss amazing health benefits of pomegranate juice (1).

Pomegranate Nutritional Facts

Pomegranate contains antioxidant- Ellagic acid which helps in to promote healthy skin. It also contains Punicic acid which is Omega 5 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid which helps in cancer prevention(2)(3). Moreover, it consists of minerals such as Folates, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Niacin, Folic acid, Iron, Potassium, Phosphorus, and Calcium and Vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E.

100 g of pomegranate contains:

• Calories: 83 Cal
• Vitamin C: 10.2 mg
• Dietary Fiber: 4 g
• Vitamin K: 16.4 µg
• Carbohydrate: 18.70 g
• Potassium: 236 mg
• Vitamin E: 0.60 mg
• Iron: 0.30 mg
• Magnesium: 12 mg
• Protein: 1.67 g
• Fat: 1.17 g

Pomegranate

Health Benefits of Pomegranate Juice

1. Reduces Joint Pain

Joints pains are caused as a result of aging and diseases such as osteoarthritis.

Pomegranate juice carries antioxidant properties which minimize the breakdown of cartilage enzymes. This results in improved joint flexibility and functionality with reduced wear and tear of joints. Eventually, you get to experience a lesser pain in your bones and joints. This is one of the best health benefits of pomegranate juice (4)(5).

2. Improves Heart Health

Drinking pomegranate juice daily benefits you with improved blood flow. The blood containing arteries tend to remain healthy rather than going thick and stiff.

Moreover, it also minimizes the build-up of plaques which results due to the accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries. As a result, the heart stays free from undue pressure and functions efficiently (6).

3. Fights Cancer

The researchers have suggested that pomegranate juice can slow down or can even cease the growth of prostate cancer cells. On top of that, lab results have also concluded that the growth of lung and breast cancer cells gets slowed down by the pomegranate juice. This is one of the best health benefits of pomegranate juice(7)(8).

It is due to its antioxidant activity that the free radicals are countered and eliminated from the body. Also, by promoting a healthy immune system, pomegranate juice slows down the development of cancer.

4. Fights Infection

Loaded with the infection–fighting Vitamin C and immunity-boosting Vitamin E, pomegranate juice effectively keeps the illnesses away.

Even the lab tests have affirmed the antiviral and antibacterial properties of pomegranates. Moreover, it fights the infectious microbes in the oral cavity. The pomegranate juice actively inhibits the HIV transmission also (9)(10). 

5. Promotes a Strong Memory

According to a recent study, pomegranate juice improves blood flow to the brain regions responsible for memory and learning. Due to the oxygen-rich blood, brain functions efficiently and leads to increased brain activity (11).

Regularly consuming 8 ounces of pomegranate juice elevates the plasma antioxidant levels thereby boosting the cognitive capabilities such as a sharp memory.

6. Antioxidant-Rich

Antioxidants are the chemicals that eliminate toxic free-radicals produced as a by-product of the body’s biological processes. Thus, they protect cells from the damaging effect and inflammation.

Pomegranate juice is rich in antioxidants more than the other fruits (12). Besides, its antioxidant levels are even more that of the green tea and red wine. In addition to the juice, the pomegranate seeds are also rich in antioxidants property.

7. Aids Digestion

The pomegranate juice has been found to be reducing gut inflammation and improving digestion (13). It contains a significant amount of dietary fiber which promotes healthy digestion and makes the bowel movement normal.

Thus, it helps people with inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis, and Cohn’s disease. It also mitigates the urinary tract infection.

Here is an informative video from ehowhealth on the health benefits of pomegranate juice

8. Vitamin Rich

Pomegranate juice makes for an excellent source of various vitamins such as vitamin E, Vitamin C (30% of RDA), and Vitamin K (36% of RDA). It can be a refreshing drink in summer, without adding the sugar. The juice is also rich in potassium, and folate.

All these constituents provide sizable quantities of essential nutrients toward the recommended daily allowance (RDA).

9. Increases Fertility

The antioxidant property of the pomegranate juice incredibly boosts the female fertility. It facilitates and promotes the uterine lining by making the blood to flow to the uterus at an increased rate.

In the male reproductive system, regularly drinking 8 oz. of pomegranate juice improves the sperm quality (14). However, it should be consumed with caution as it interacts with blood thinners and statin drugs.

10. Helpful in Diabetes

Even though the sugar content in pomegranate juice is similar to that of the other fruits juices, it still doesn’t increase the blood sugar levels beyond the normal range. Compounds such as punicalagin and ellagic, gallic, oleanolic, ursolic, and uallic acids, have been identified as having anti-diabetic actions. the juice sugar was found to have unique antioxidant polyphenols (tannins and anthocyanins), which could be beneficial to control conditions in type 2 diabetes (15).

This is good news for diabetic patients who can enjoy pomegranate juice without incurring the harmful effects of fructose. This is one of the best health benefits of pomegranate juice.

11. Normalises Blood Pressure

Pomegranate juice reduces lesion and inflamed blood vessels in the patients suffering from heart disease. Being a natural aspirin, it acts a blood thinner and thereby prevents blood from clotting or coagulating.

Thus, it ensures a normal blood flood across the body and considerably minimizes the heart attack risk.

12. Improves Skin Texture

By extending the life of fibroblasts, pomegranate juice promotes the tightening of skin along with the production of collagen. This collagen and elastin support the skin to make it free from wrinkles and fine lines.

When you drink pomegranate juice on a regular basis, it also improves the skin tone to give you glowing skin.

Read more: Natural Beauty Tips for Glowing Skin

13. Prevents Hairfall

Pomegranate is highly useful for the individuals who are suffering from hair fall and are afraid will go bald. The pomegranate juice strengthens the hair follicles to keep them intact and thus, prevents hair-fall.

Moreover, it improves the blood circulation to the scalp to stimulate the growth of new hair.

Read More: Best Vitamins for Hair Growth (&Foods to Eat)

14. Helps in the Treatment of Diarrhoea

If you are suffering from Diarrhoea or dysentery, pomegranate juice can be really helpful in getting it treated. It encourages the secretion of key enzymes that supports digestion. As soon as the digestion process gets back on track, your diarrhea condition improves.

A bonus tip is to add a teaspoon of honey to your pomegranate juice to get rid of the other indigestion problems.

15. Prevents Anaemia

Anemia is a condition when your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells for its normal functioning. Pomegranate juice is iron-rich normalizes the red blood cells production in the body.

Consequently, it subsides the anemia symptoms such as weakness, exhaustion, and dizziness and regularises the body functions. It also prevents anemia from developing, if it has been a part of your daily diet. This is one of the best health benefits of pomegranate juice.

16. Helps in Healing Scars

The scars are associated with the external layer of the skin called epidermal and dermal layers. The scars often stay even when the wound has healed.

Pomegranate juice improves the regeneration of cells of these layers to result in a uniformly healed skin. Besides, it also increases the overall healing process. The sunburn, which occurs due to the constant exposure of skin to the sun, too gets healed in the process. This is one of the best health benefits of pomegranate juice.

Read More: Fruits for Glowing Skin

17. Improves Stamina and Sport Performance

Pomegranate juice contains antioxidants which minimize the oxidative damage occurring due to exercise. Thus, it adds to your stamina giving you more time for your workouts. It makes a very tasty and healthy post-workout meal.

On the other side, it acts as a performance enhancer and increases the rate of recovery of your strength. It also reduces soreness and thus, allows you to perform efficiently in the sports. Improved stamina is one of the best health benefits of pomegranate juice.

18. Prevents Osteoarthritis

The inflammation that usually occurs in osteoarthritis due to the cartilage damage is effectively tackled by the flavonols present in pomegranate juice. Its long–term consumption clears the way for the inhibition of enzymes responsible for this chronic disease.

It is also being studied for its positive effects on other bones diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and other joint complications.

19. Helpful in Pregnancy

How can we overlook the role of pomegranate juice in the health of mother and baby during pregnancy?

The anti-inflammatory property keeps the blood flowing normally. Being an excellent source of the necessary vitamins, minerals, and other crucial elements, it ensures the healthy development of the fetus.

In addition to that, it also prevents the leg cramps that become the issue during pregnancy due to increased body weight.

Read More: Prenatal Yoga Poses, Asanas and Sequences

20. Helps in the overall growth of infants

Pomegranate juice i.s best for growth and development in infants above 6 months of age. It is full of essential vitamins, minerals required for baby’s growth. This helps in overall growth in infants.

21. Protects against Alzheimer’s disease

Pomegranate is a superfood, it consists of a compound called punicalagin which reduces inflammation in brain cells called microglia. Inflammation in microglia also destructs other brain cells which worsens the situation in case of Alzheimer’s disease.

Side Effects of Pomegranate Juice Overconsumption

• The consumption of pomegranate juice alongside blood-pressure–lowering medicines can drop your blood pressure down to a dangerous level.
• Its overconsumption can lead to gastrointestinal disorders such as vomiting and diarrhea.
• Intake of pomegranate juice with blood thinners such as warfarin can cause bleeding.
• Although in low quantities it doesn’t increase the blood sugar level, its overconsumption may cause its exact opposite.

Including pomegranate juice into your diet can bring down your risk for inflammation and chronic diseases. It improves your disease conditions by being a repository of various health–promoting elements in addition to a boost of antioxidants.

You will experience improved health with its regular intake. However, it is always advised you to consult a doctor, if you are on any medication or suffer from any severe disease, before starting its consumption.

These were all the benefits of pomegranate juice, start including it in your day to day life and let me know your feedback.