Introduction
We all have seen pomegranates, and most of us have eaten them. From a very young age, our parents try to feed us this weird red fruit that looks like we are consuming its seeds. The fruit is found more or less all across the globe.
However, it is native to the Mediterranean region, Southeast Asia, and the United States of America. Pomegranate juices are very popular among children due to their rich color and unique taste. But it is not like this fruit is meant for the kids only. It has numerous benefits that adults can harness to deal with various symptoms.
Humans have used pomegranates for a long time in folk medicine for their medical benefits. Due to its blood red color, people in a few parts of the world primarily believe it is responsible for increasing erythropoiesis or red blood cell count.
Although there is not enough evidence supporting this claim, being a rich source of iron, it does have some effect on boosting the blood count. Generally, people suffering from anemia are often advised to have this fruit for the same reason.
But are there benefits of having this pomegranate, as our parents claimed? And what is this new obsession with pomegranate extract in the market?
In this article, we tried to address every possible question that you might have with pomegranate extract as well as the fruit. So read along to unravel all the secrets hidden within those juicy red arils.
Pomegranate Extract With Other Ingredients:
It is essential to learn about the ingredients before the consumption of any product. Many components are present in the pomegranate extract that is available in the market in the form of capsules. Understand the benefits of each of the components in detail.
- Ellagic acid
You may not have heard about this acid, but it forms a significant part of the pomegranate extract. It acts as the active ingredient in the product and has multiple health benefits. It is chemically a polyphenol that has some antioxidant properties.
It helps neutralize the free radicals in your body that are harmful to us. In this way, it aids in protecting the cells from damage and oxidative stress.
Ellagic acid also influences the immune system of our body. It helps in fighting inflammation by interfering with certain compounds like prostaglandin E2 and interleukin 6. In addition, due to its antioxidant properties, this component decreases cancer cell growth.
- Dietary Fiber
Apart from the fruit extract, dietary fiber is also one of the primary constituents. These fibers serve as a good source of fuel for the good bacteria, which helps in improving the digestive mechanism of our body. The additional fiber helps in dealing with specific conditions like constipation, colon cancer, diverticulitis, etc.
- Silicified Microcrystalline cellulose
This compound has been used in the pomegranate extract capsules to increase the bioavailability of the product. Another reason for having this component is that it also shows better resistance to the degrading effects of magnesium stearate that one might have with regular microcrystalline cellulose.
How does it work:
Being a very juicy fruit, it is not possible to have it when you are in a car or bus going to your job. But that does not mean you have to miss out on your regular intake of powerful antioxidants. Pomegranate extracts are marketed by various companies in the form of tablets and capsules. So it does not become messy for the consumers.
Pomegranate extract obtained from the fruit itself is a fantastic source of polyphenols that are unique. The antioxidant properties that one enjoys due to these compounds in the fruit help in preventing multiple diseases.
According to some studies, the various organic and inorganic compounds that are present in the pomegranate extract help slow down the hardening of the arteries, which is commonly known as atherosclerosis.
In addition, it has also been seen in some cases that the presence of a compound in the extract called punicalagin helps reduce chronic inflammation. Kidney stones are also a major problem among the masses in recent times.
Be it the diet or unhealthy food habits, kidney stones develop in people irrespective of their age or sex. Researchers used pomegranate extract on human and non-human models to study its effects.
The extract from the pomegranate fruit was able to interfere with the concentration of oxalate, phosphate, and calcium in the blood, which are the primary components of kidney stones. Although a more extensive study is required, this is definitely something we can look up to.
In recent years, people are also consuming pomegranate extract capsules for their anticancer properties. There is significantly less scientific evidence backing this claim, yet it has made the product increasingly popular.
In non-human models, the extract from the fruit has shown promising results in killing or at least slowing down the cancer cells. Cancer is basically the growth of cells that occurs uncontrollably. And if we can control that, then we would be able to cure the disease.
However, it is easier said than done. But on the bright side, scientists also conducted a few studies to verify its anti-tumor properties. It is good news that it has shown remarkable results, especially in the case of lung, breast, skin, colon, and prostate cancer.
Pros and Cons :
Learning about a product is essential, but more important is knowing about its benefits and drawbacks. For example, even though it is a fruit extract, there might be some cases that would pose a disadvantage for some individuals. So let us find out.
Pros:
In experiments conducted with two groups of people, researchers saw that the ones who took the extract showed better results than the placebo group. Those individuals who took the pomegranate extract significantly increased the diameter of blood vessels, and they felt less fatigue during exercise.
Cons:
Frequently Asked Questions :
Not just one pomegranate extract comes with multiple benefits. We can list them as:
Reducing the growth of tumors: Pomegranate extract has the ability to slow down the growth of cancer cells. In a few studies, it has shown significant outcomes in inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Anti-inflammatory: The presence of high quantities of antioxidants helps reduce inflammations.
Better digestion: The presence of dietary fibers in the extract improves our body’s digestive system.
Pomegranate extract capsules have recently taken the market in a whirlwind. And yes, they are genuinely beneficial if you purchase them from a renowned brand. You can have multiple benefits like better heart health, reduced blood pressure, fewer bacterial and fungal infections, etc.
Atherosclerosis is a disease or a condition that causes the shrinkage of the blood vessels. It can be due to various reasons that cause the building up of fats, cholesterol, etc., on the walls of the arteries. This causes a narrowing of the diameter of the vessels and an increase in blood pressure.
Pomegranate extract has the property by which it can dilate the blood vessels and thus keeping the blood pressure under check. Although it does not provide any permanent cure yet, it is a fantastic product for those who have atherosclerosis and high blood pressure.
People have been using the fruit for a long time to enhance their fertility and libido. Because it has some antioxidant properties that improve heart health and reduce stress, it indirectly affects sexual life. A few studies in 2012 suggested that pomegranate extract can even help boost testosterone levels in the human body.
Yes, people consume pomegranate extract for skin lightening as well. The arils or pomegranate seeds have some compounds in them that are responsible for skin lightening and brightening. The extract helps nourish your skin from within and reduces the scars and blemishes. The seeds of the pomegranate fruit also act as an excellent exfoliate. The fruit protects the skin against photodamage as well, which is caused by the UV rays of the sun.
There is a reason why you will find pomegranate extracts in some supplements for bodybuilders. The extract’s anti-inflammation properties help reduce soreness and muscle recovery developed by a strenuous workout.
The extract is obtained from the pomegranate fruit, in which it is concentrated and made into different forms. An incredible source of Vitamin C and K, it is rich in potassium and folate. The extract is coated with a gelatin or vegan capsule and marketed by the companies. It can also be found as a component of the supplements used by muscle builders, since
Conclusion
Pomegranate extract is a beneficial product. It can be consumed daily to exploit its advantages. People often prefer the extract of the pomegranate fruit over the juice because of the sugar content. Keeping in mind the wide range of consumers, the manufacturers usually keep the sugar content in check for the extracts.
Also, since the extracts are a much more concentrated form of fruit, you don’t need to consume much of it to get the benefits.
The antioxidant or anti-bacterial properties and the vitamins and minerals found in the fruit make it a good source of essential nutrients. In addition, its function in improving urinary, heart, digestive, and prostate health makes it a popular product among the masses.
Even though the studies are still ongoing to verify the claims of consuming the extract, the promising outcomes make it a pretty reliable choice.
