The pomegranate /ˈpɒmɨɡrænɨt/, botanical name Punica granatum, is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub or small tree growing between 5–8 metres (16–26 ft) tall.
The pomegranate is widely considered to have originated in the vicinity of Iran and has been cultivated since ancient times.Today, it is widely cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region of southern Europe, the Middle East andCaucasus region, northern Africa and tropical Africa, the Indian subcontinent and the drier parts of southeast Asia.Introduced into Latin America and California bySpanish settlers in 1769, pomegranate is also cultivated in parts of California andArizona.
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy |
346 kJ (83 kcal)
|
| Carbohydrates |
18.7 g
|
| - Sugars |
13.67 g
|
| - Dietary fiber |
4 g
|
| Fat |
1.17 g
|
| Protein |
1.67 g
|
0.067 mg (6%)
| |
0.053 mg (4%)
| |
0.293 mg (2%)
| |
Pantothenic acid (B5)
|
0.377 mg (8%)
|
0.075 mg (6%)
| |
Folate (vit. B9)
|
38 μg (10%)
|
7.6 mg (2%)
| |
10.2 mg (12%)
| |
0.6 mg (4%)
| |
16.4 μg (16%)
| |
10 mg (1%)
| |
0.3 mg (2%)
| |
12 mg (3%)
| |
0.119 mg (6%)
| |
36 mg (5%)
| |
236 mg (5%)
| |
3 mg (0%)
| |
0.35 mg (4%)
| |
Potential health benefits
In preliminary laboratory research and clinical trials, juice of the pomegranate may be effective in reducing heart disease risk factors, including LDL oxidation,macrophage oxidative status, andfoam cell formation. In mice, "oxidation of LDL by peritoneal macrophages was reduced by up to 90% after pomegranate juice consumption...".
In a limited study of hypertensive patients, consumption of pomegranate juice for two weeks was shown to reduce systolic blood pressure by inhibiting serum angiotensin-converting enzyme.Juice consumption may also inhibit viral infections.while pomegranate extracts have antibacterial effects against dental plaque.
Despite limited research data, manufacturers and marketers of pomegranate juice have liberally used evolving research results for product promotion, especially for putative antioxidant health benefits. In February 2010, the FDA issued a Warning Letter to one such manufacturer, POM Wonderful, for using published literature to make illegal claims of unproven antioxidant and anti-disease benefits.
Clinical trial rationale and activity[edit]
Metabolites of pomegranate juice ellagitannins localize specifically in the prostate gland, colon, and intestinal tissues of mice, leading to clinical studies of pomegranate juice or fruit extracts for efficacy against several diseases.
In 2011, 32 clinical trials were registered with the National Institutes of Health to examine effects of pomegranate extracts or juice consumption on a list of diseases:
- prostate cancer
- prostatic hyperplasia
- diabetes
- lymphoma
- rhinovirus infection (completed, July 2008)
- common cold (completed, June, 2007)
- oxidative stress in diabetichemodialysis
- atherosclerosis
- coronary artery disease
- infant brain injury
- hemodialysis for kidney disease
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