A Glass of Pomegranate Juice A Day Keeps Arthritis Away

It is already known that pomegranate juice has anti-inflammatory properties. Maybe this is also the reason why researchers believe that a glass of pomegranate juice daily may help fight arthritis. Such were the findings published in the Journal of Inflammation.

The findings however were from an animal study, but which the team of scientists from Case Western Reserve University behind it believes that the same could be true in humans.

If true, it could point the way to a new treatment which could avoid the side effects of current anti-inflammatory drugs, which can include nausea and bleeding in the stomach.

The scientists, from Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, Ohio, gave extracts of the fruit, equivalent to a 175ml tumbler of pomegranate juice, to rabbits.

They then tested the level of activity of certain proteins known to trigger inflammation in the animal’s blood.

They found that the pomegranate extracts had inhibited the activity of many of the proteins, some by almost half.

It also raised levels of antioxidants, which can also reduce inflammation, in their blood system.

Researchers of the above study believe that their findings suggest that eating pomegranate or drinking the juice could have a beneficial effect on arthritis.

Read more from The UK Telegraph.

This benefit against arthritis is not the first health benefit reported on pomegranate or pomegranate juice. Previous reports have linked pomegranate juice to lowering cholesterol levels, among other health benefits.

Pomegranate juice has been shown to work well as a blood thinner. Some research has shown it may be an excellent agent for promoting blood flow to the heart. It also has been shown to reduce plaque in the arteries, and to raise “good” levels of cholesterol while helping lower “bad” cholesterol.

This preliminary research suggests that pomegranate juice may be helpful in preventing heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. Most physicians are quick to point out pomegranate juice should be just one aspect of a healthy diet and exercise program. Pomegranate juice alone would probably not cure or completely prevent heart disease.

Some research has also evaluated the antioxidant nature of pomegranate juice and its usefulness in fighting certain forms of cancer. Pomegranate juice has been tentatively shown to reduce incidence of breast and skin cancer. It has also been tested and shown to slow the growth of prostate cancer in mice.

Well…it isn’t surprising that pomegranate juice can do all of the above. It is a powerful antioxidant — yes maybe even more powerful that read wine and green tea.

Okay…let’s wait and see. The above findings anyway admit that further research is necessary in order to determine how well the pomegranate extract is absorbed in the blood stream.

Meanwhile? I guess CHEERS to pomegranate juice! 😉