Pomegranate – A valuable ingredient for the circulatory system

In 2017, the journalPharmacological Researchpublished a review of eight scientific studies, the purpose of which was to determine the effect of consuming pomegranate juice on blood pressure.

Pomegranate juice may also have a hypolipemic effect, i.e. lowering blood cholesterol.

Esmaillzadeh et al. observed that administering concentrated juice to people suffering from type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia resulted in a statistically significant reduction in total cholesterol and “bad” LDL cholesterol in the blood.

At the same time, no changes in the levels of “good” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were found [5]. Improvement in blood lipid profile as a result of pomegranate juice consumption was also noted in people undergoing hemodialysis [6].

However, it should be noted that not all research results confirm the beneficial effect of pomegranate on cholesterol levels. Sahebkar et al. Performed a meta-analysis that included 12 randomized, placebo-controlled trials.

They noted no significant relationship between pomegranate consumption and the level of total cholesterol in the blood [7].

Pomegranate peel also has hypolipemic properties.

Important!

Moreover, an increase in HDL cholesterol levels was found [8]. It is true that pomegranate peel is not widely consumed, but it is worth noting that it is available for sale in the form of dietary supplements.

On the other hand, Aviram et al. Confirmed that the pomegranate may inhibit the progression of carotid atherosclerosis [9]. It has also been found that consuming pomegranate improves endothelial function and improves blood flow in blood vessels [10].

Pomegranate antioxidant properties

The presence of many bioactive compounds belonging to polyphenols ensures the high antioxidant potential of pomegranates. These assumptions are confirmed by numerous scientific studies.

The results of thein vitroexperiment show that thepomegranate peel extract is characterized by the ability to inhibit the activity ofABTS and DPPH radicals [11]. Similar properties were found for extracts prepared from pomegranate seeds [12].

Moreover, it has been shown that the administration of pomegranate increases the resistance of LDL cholesterol to oxidation, which is important in preventing the development of atherosclerosis [13, 14].

Sohrab et al. Confirmed that daily consumption of 200 ml of pomegranate juice for 6 weeks reduced oxidative stress and increased antioxidant activity of blood plasma in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes [15].

Scientists have found that pomegranate peel extracts are characterized by about 10 times higher antioxidant activity than fruit flesh [1].

Pomegranate – a fruit for athletes?

Promising results of experiments in the context of pomegranates’ effects on the health of athletes were published in 2019 in the journalNutrients. Torregrosa-Garcia et al. They conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in which they administered pomegranate extract to cyclists for 14 days and analyzed its effect on the body’s performance.

After the performance tests performed, they observed that the group receivingpomegranate extract was able to exercise longer[16].

In another experiment it was reported thatpeople who consumed pomegranate extract suffered slower fatigue while running compared to the placebo group[17].

It seems that the improvement in efficiency results from the positive effect of pomegranate on the expansion of the diameter of blood vessels and improvement of blood flow, as a result of which there is an increased supply of energy substrates and oxygen to cells [18].

On the other hand, Roelofs et al. Observed that administering pomegranate extract to weightlifters reduced oxidative stress in the organism caused by exercise.

What does it matter?

Scientists believe that increasing the antioxidant potential of blood plasma may have a positive effect on the regeneration processes in athletes [19]. An increase in the antioxidant capacity of blood in rowers was also found in the administration of pomegranate juice [20].

Pomegranate against cancer?

Current scientific evidence raises hopes that the pomegranate may have anti-cancer properties.

In vitroexperiments carried out on prostate cell lines and studies performed on humans have shown that pomegranate extracts can slow down the multiplication of cancer cells and even cause their apoptosis, i.e. death [21, 22, 23].

It seems that this effect results from the strong antioxidant properties of pomegranate, as well as its influence on the regulation of genes involved in the neoplastic process [27].

Does the pomegranate have a slimming effect?

A number of studies carried out on animals fed a high-fat diet have shown that pomegranate may inhibit the development of overweight [28, 29]. Unfortunately, human studies are not very optimistic.

The latest analysis of 13 scientific studies from 2019 has clearly shown that eating pomegranates has no significant effect on weight and body composition.

Scientists have shown that people who consumed pomegranates did not change their BMI, waist circumference, or body fat [30].

Effect modulating the growth of microorganisms

Several experiments were carried out to assess the effect of pomegranate extracts on the growth of various species of bacteria. It was found that fruit and peel extracts can inhibit the growth of such bacteria as:Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enteroccoccus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumonia[2].

At the same time, it has been shown that pomegranate extracts can have a beneficial effect on the growth of bacteria considered beneficial to our health, egBifidobacterium infantis,Bifidobacterium breve,Lactobacillusspp [31, 32].

In what cases does the grenade not work?

Pomegranate has a wide spectrum of health properties. However, it is ineffective for some situations. The analysis of 5 randomized trials has shown that the consumption of pomegranate does not reduce the level of C-reactive protein in the blood.

This indicates the lack of or very weak anti-inflammatory properties of this fruit [33]. On the other hand, the results of the meta-analysis by Huang et al. Showed that the pomegranate has no significant effect on the body’s carbohydrate metabolism.

It has been observed that it does not lower blood glucose and insulin levels. As a result, scientists do not recommend pomegranate administration (eg in the form of juice or dietary supplements) as part of a therapeutic strategy in the treatment of high blood glucose [34].

Summary

Pomegranate fruit is a real treasury of many bioactive compounds with proven health-promoting properties. The peel of the fruit, which is usually sold as an extract as a dietary supplement , also has a beneficial effect on health .

Pomegranates are a particularly valuable raw material for people struggling with cardiovascular diseases. Its consumption lowers blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, and reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis.