Pomegranate is a fruit that has been used for a long time to prevent and treat various illnesses. It contains natural chemicals that can help protect our body from free radical damage and reduce inflammation. New research looks at the different parts of pomegranate fruit and how they can benefit our health. Studies have shown that pomegranate can help with conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, and cancer. However, we still need to do more research to fully understand how pomegranate works and how it can be used as a treatment.
The pomegranate has been used for its seeds as food, juice, and functional food. Research has shown that pomegranate has many medicinal uses, and pomegranate juice is especially high in antioxidants due to its polyphenols, such as tannins, anthocyanins, and flavonoids. These phytochemicals are responsible for some health benefits, such as managing obesity and diabetes and reducing inflammation.
Polyphenols are a group of naturally occurring compounds found in plants that have been linked to many health benefits. Some common types of polyphenols found in food include tannins, anthocyanins, and flavonoids.
Tannins are polyphenols found in many plants, including tea, grapes, and berries. They are known for their bitter taste and astringent properties. Tannins are believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the human body.
Anthocyanins are polyphenols that are responsible for the red, purple, and blue colours in many fruits and vegetables, such as berries, grapes, and red cabbage. These compounds are potent antioxidants and have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects on the body.
Flavonoids are a large group of polyphenols that are found in many plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Some common types of flavonoids include quercetin, catechins, and isoflavones. Flavonoids are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and have been associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Pharmaceutic companies around the world began making supplements with polyphenols in high concentrations. A lot of research is required to work out the correct dosage of these supplements.
What can be said with certainty is that a healthy diet that contains pomegranates and other fruit that have polyphenols is going to assist with many health problems along with the medications prescribed by the doctors.
References:
Fahmy H , Hegazi N , El-Shamy S , Farag MA . Pomegranate juice as a functional food: a comprehensive review of its polyphenols, therapeutic merits, and recent patents. Food Funct. 2020 Jul 1;11(7):5768-5781. doi: 10.1039/d0fo01251c. Epub 2020 Jul 1. PMID: 32608443.
Vučić V, Grabež M, Trchounian A, Arsić A. Composition and Potential Health Benefits of Pomegranate: A Review. Curr Pharm Des. 2019;25(16):1817-1827. doi: 10.2174/1381612825666190708183941. PMID: 31298147.
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