Pomegranate juice: benefits and contraindications

Pomegranates are red-brown fruits of fruit trees. They are grown in eastern countries, the Caucasus, the Mediterranean region and South America. In cooking, pomegranates are used to prepare marshmallows, jams, and sauces for dishes. Pomegranate seeds are very tasty and healthy, but in case of some diseases they should be used with caution. A slightly different product is pomegranate juice. Its composition and properties depend on the production technology. In the article we will talk about the medicinal properties, nutritional value of pomegranate, as well as the drink made from its grains.

Here we focus exclusively on freshly squeezed juice. Only such a drink is as close as possible to grains in composition. The juicy southern fruits contain more than 27 minerals, 15 vitamins and other beneficial substances.

Main components and their beneficial properties:

• Tocopherol acetate (analogue – pharmaceutical vitamin E). Protects blood vessels, participates in the synthesis of hormones, helps maintain blood sugar levels, healthy skin and vision.
• The polysaccharide cleanses the body of toxic metabolites, improves peripheral circulation, and reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
• Ascorbic acid (in the pharmacy – vitamin C). One of the most powerful antioxidants. Suppresses the growth of free radicals that accelerate the aging of the body. Ascorbic acid strengthens the immune system and cleanses blood vessels of excess cholesterol.
• Vitamins B6, B12, B4 (pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, choline). They improve cerebral circulation and cognitive functions, stimulate the conduction of nerve impulses, and stabilize the psycho-emotional state. Choline is involved in fat metabolism, preventing visceral obesity.
• Vitamin B9 ( folic acid). Actively participates in the formation of new cells, improves the condition of the skin, hair, and nails. During pregnancy, B9 is necessary for the full development of the embryo.
• Vitamin B3 ( niacin). Supports redox processes, the constancy of the body’s internal environment, takes part in carbohydrate-fat metabolism, and helps produce enzymes.
• They have an anti-inflammatory effect and help cope with infectious diseases.
• Water-soluble biological pigments are not synthesized in the body, but come only from food. Anthocyanins accelerate hemodynamics, strengthen the walls of the eye capillaries and brain vessels, and increase visual acuity.
• Pomegranate (punic) acid. Considered a strong aphrodisiac.
• Organic acids (malic, citric, tartaric, succinic, etc.). Regulate and stabilize metabolic processes, prevent intestinal disorders.
• Potassium, magnesium. Supports heart function.
• Calcium, phosphorus. Strengthens tooth enamel and increases the strength of bone tissue. These macronutrients are found in remineralizing dental products. For example, Rox Medical gel.
• Easily digestible iron + ascorbic acid. Stimulate hematopoiesis and maintain normal hemoglobin levels.
• Accelerates tissue regeneration, stabilizes hormonal levels, and has an antioxidant effect.
• Participates in the regulation of fat and carbohydrate metabolism, stimulates insulin synthesis, and increases the protective properties of the immune system.

In small quantities, garnets contain silicon, manganese, sodium, iodine, and fluorine.

Benefits for women and men

More than 20 varieties of pomegranate are cultivated in southern countries. They differ in sweetness, size, and hardness of the grains. The Azerbaijani variety Gyuleysha is most beneficial for the health of the reproductive system . Juice is squeezed from its fruits , which is used as a means to maintain potency. The drink contains a large amount of punicalagin, a substance that naturally increases testosterone levels and prevents its conversion to estrogen. In addition, the variety is rich in zinc and selenium, which enhance erectile function. In medicine, vitamins with selenium and zinc are prescribed to men for the treatment and prevention of impotence.

In women aged 45+, juice reduces the intensity of the physiological and psycho-emotional manifestations of menopause. In fertile women , it supports embryogenesis. The antioxidant properties of the drink reduce the risk of developing breast tumors.

Pomegranate for treatment and prevention

Small red grains are sources of 15 amino acids. If you drink pomegranate juice regularly, you can normalize blood pressure, get rid of digestive problems, strengthen the walls of blood vessels and periodontal tissue, improve blood composition, and increase the body’s resistance to infections. The drink helps cope with psycho-emotional overload, sleep disorders, and chronic fatigue.

Systematically drinking pomegranate juice or eating a handful of grains is recommended for the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections, cancer, atherosclerosis, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, periodontitis, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and secondary immunodeficiency.

What is healthier – juice or grains?

During squeezing, some of the nutrients remain in the grains and pulp of the fruit. Fewer vitamins and minerals get into the drink, and practically no fatty acids (palmitic, oleic, linolenic, stearic) that are beneficial to the body penetrate. The juice also lacks fruit fiber, which stimulates digestion.

Harm and contraindications

Freshly squeezed concentrated juice is harmful to dental health. Strong organic acids in large quantities destroy enamel, provoking the development of caries.

Undiluted drink is dangerous for the gastrointestinal tract. Acid irritates the mucous membrane, which causes inflammation and erosive formations.

Pomegranate is not given to infants (under 1 year). Firstly, this is too much stress on the gastrointestinal tract. Secondly, an immature immune system can “give” a serious allergic reaction.

Hypotensive people should drink juice and eat grains with caution. In case of arterial hypotension not compensated for by low blood pressure medications , an overdose can cause dizziness and short-term loss of consciousness.

Due to the specific effect on the digestive system, you should not get carried away with pomegranates if you are prone to constipation.

It is recommended for allergy sufferers, asthmatics, and patients who have experienced anaphylactic shock to refrain from drinking juice.

Medical contraindications are associated with the aggressive effect of numerous acids on the gastrointestinal tract. Doctors prohibit drinking pomegranate juice if you have Barrett’s esophagus, gastric and duodenal ulcers, chronic inflammation of the pancreas, or hyperacid gastritis (with increased stomach acidity).

Freshly squeezed or store-bought

By squeezing it yourself, the maximum benefits of pomegranate juice are achieved. In addition, no one would think of adding flavorings or artificial sweeteners to it. But it is necessary to dilute the concentrate with water, otherwise problems with the gastrointestinal tract and tooth enamel may occur.

It is impossible to preserve the product on an industrial scale without adding preservatives. The use of modern production technologies allows us to minimize the contact of fruits with air, but does not eliminate it completely. Oxidative processes lead to spoilage of raw materials, therefore, at the stage of storage in disinfected containers, safe food preservatives approved by environmental standards are introduced into them. In stores, this juice is sold in glass bottles. In composition it is closest to natural raw materials. If there is sediment in the bottle, this is not a defect, but the result of the breakdown of vitamin C under the influence of the sun. Such a product is less useful, but not spoiled.

Pomegranate nectar is juice diluted with water. To increase sales, manufacturers often add flavor enhancers, artificial or natural colors to nectar. The health benefits and harms of such a drink are equally minimal.