Pomegranate (Anar) Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Introduction

Did you know that pomegranate comes under the category of berry? Yes, it’s true. However, it has its own family called Punicaceae, to which it belongs. Punica granatum L., also known as pomegranate, is a plant that can grow even in dry areas. It is widely cultivated in India, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Spain and Tunisia.¹ Along with date palm, fig, grape and olive, pomegranate is one of the oldest cultivated fruit.²  

Furthermore, pomegranate might have health benefits, so consuming it may be fruitful. Due to its high antioxidant content, humble pomegranate juice may be more beneficial than green tea or red wine.¹ The potential uses of pomegranate juice have been explained in detail below.  

Nutritional Value of Pomegranate Juice:

The nutrients in pomegranate juice and their percentage content are as follows: 

• Carbohydrates: 13.1 
• Proteins: 0.15 
• Total dietary fats: 0.29 
• Fiber: 0.1
• Total sugars: 12.6 
• Calcium: 0.01 
• Potassium: 0.21
• Sodium: 0.09
• Phosphorous: 0.01
• Iron: 0.0001
• Magnesium: 0.007³

It also contains small amounts of: 

• Minerals: Zinc, manganese, copper and selenium  
• Vitamins: Vitamin C, vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, folate and vitamin E³  

Also Read: Pineapple Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, and More!

Properties of Pomegranate Juice:

Pomegranate juice may be of use as it may have the following properties: 

• It may act as an anti-inflammatory agent (might alleviate inflammation).  
• It may have an antioxidant property (may neutralize free radicals).  
• It may have antihypertensive activity (might help in the reduction of elevated blood pressure).  
• It may act as a prebiotic (promotes digestion promoting good bacteria).  
• It may have antimicrobial properties (may effectively eliminate microorganisms).  
• It may possess anti-cariogenic properties (may reduce the risk of cavities in teeth).  
• It may have anti-carcinogenic properties (may reduce the risk of cancer development).  
• It may act as a neuroprotective agent (may protect brain cells from damage).²  

Also Read: Orange Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, and More!

In my perspective, by regularly consuming pomegranate juice, you may be able to protect your arteries and promote heart health. Pomegranate juice contains antioxidants that might reduce oxidative stress and help ward off atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in the arteries.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Potential Uses of Pomegranate Juice for Overall Health:

Pomegranate (Anar) juice may have potential uses due to its properties. Some of the potential uses of pomegranate juice are as follows:

1. Potential Uses of Pomegranate Juice for Skin

Pomegranate juice may have potential benefits for the skin, as observed in a study. The results show that it might protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun (UV-B radiation) by preventing the production of certain toxic compounds in the skin. This action of pomegranate juice might help with photo-aging (age changes of the skin caused by light) and skin cancer.¹ 

2. Potential Uses of Pomegranate Juice for Elevated Blood Pressure

Elevated blood pressure (known as hypertension) is one of the common diseases occurring in people nowadays. Various studies have shown that pomegranate juice might help with high blood pressure. For example, one animal study showed that giving pomegranate juice to rats regularly might help the mean arterial blood pressure(i.e. the average blood pressure during each heart cycle).¹ However, more research is needed to know the exact role it plays and how safe it is. 

3. Potential Uses of Pomegranate Juice for Obesity

Research on animals has shown that the potential use of pomegranate juice for weight loss might be due to the presence of bioactive compounds, which act in different ways like decreasing lipid (fats) formation, increasing fat breakdown, and inhibiting the enzymes responsible for fat formation. These actions might help in losing weight.² However, there is a need for much more comprehensive human research to prove its use. 

I’ll let you know an amusing study result. In a study, pomegranate juice was tested for improving erections in men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction. After consuming the juice approximately 47% of participants reported possible improvement. Although statistical significance was not reached, the study suggests that larger groups and longer action periods may show more conclusive results.

Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.

4. Potential Uses of Pomegranate Juice for Diabetes

In people with diabetes, there is usually a sudden rise in blood sugar immediately after taking food. Recently, in laboratory studies, it was seen that pomegranate juice might have the potential to help in lowering blood glucose levels post-prandially (after food). This action might be because pomegranate juice may reduce the digestibility of starch (a complex sugar).² This might be one of the advantages of pomegranate juice for diabetes. However, more research is required for its safe use.    

5. Potential Uses of Pomegranate Juice for Cancer

A wide range of research has shown that pomegranate juice might be valuable as it can potentially affect cancer, affecting different organs. Some of the potential uses are as follows: 

• Lung cancer: A study showed that pomegranate juice might inhibit the crucial pathways in cancer formation; thus, it might affect its formation. It was also seen that pomegranate juice might delay the formation of lung tumors. 
• Prostate cancer: In a study, fermented pomegranate juice was found to induce the death of harmful cancerous cells in the body. Thus, it may have the potential to affect the growth of prostate cancer. 
• Colon cancer: Pomegranate juice might help by affecting the growth of cancer cells in the colon (a part of the intestine) by interfering in signaling pathways. 
• Breast cancer: Research has shown that fermented pomegranate juice might not allow breast cancer cells to grow. Although fermented and fresh juice of pomegranate may stop cancer cell growth, fermented pomegranate juice might have a better effect.¹  

There is insufficient evidence available for the use of pomegranate juice for cancer. Therefore, there is a further need for more research on using pomegranate juice for cancer that needs concrete scientific evidence. 

6. Potential Uses of Pomegranate Juice for Arthritis

Arthritis is a disease which affects the joints. There are different kinds of arthritis, and pomegranate might be helpful for osteoarthritis (disease-causing destruction of joints slowly and progressively) and rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune disorder; the immune system causes joint destruction). 

• In osteoarthritis, pomegranate extract was found to help inhibit the production of compounds that lead to joint destruction. However, there is a need for more research to prove this. 
• For rheumatoid arthritis, animal studies showed that compounds causing inflammation might apparently decrease on giving pomegranate extract. Thus, it might help with rheumatoid arthritis. However, there is a need for more human studies to prove its accuracy.¹  

7. Other Potential Uses of Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate juice might be beneficial in the following conditions: 

• Alzheimer’s disease (progressive destruction of memory) 
• Malaria (a parasitic infection spread by mosquitoes) 
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections 
• Other infectious diseases 
• It might help in healing wounds.¹ 

Though there are studies that show the potential uses of pomegranate juice in various conditions, these are insufficient, and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of pomegranate juice on human health.  

I came across a shocking research! It suggests that drinking pomegranate juice might help reduce oxidative stress in the placenta of pregnant women. It may also avert the death of important cells in the placenta called trophoblasts. This means that consuming pomegranate juice during pregnancy may potentially protect the placenta and benefit the developing baby.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Also Read: Beetroot Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

How to Use Pomegranate Juice?

Pomegranate juice can be found on the market in the juice form, ready to drink. You can also make fresh pomegranate juice using the pomegranate fruit. You can take a pomegranate and peel off the skin, pick out the seeds, and blend them in a juicer or blender to get fresh pomegranate juice. Then, you can drink the fresh juice of pomegranate as it is without adding anything else.  

You must consult a qualified doctor before taking any herbal supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an Ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor. 

Side Effects of Pomegranate Juice:

There are no sufficient reports to show the side effects of pomegranate juice when taken in moderation. However, you should ensure that you are not allergic to pomegranate before drinking it. In addition, do not use it for self-medication or replacing an ongoing therapy medicine. You should consult your Ayurvedic physician, who will be able to guide you regarding the particular usage of pomegranate juice if and when necessary for your specific condition. The choice of treatment is at the discretion of your doctor basis your consultation with them.  

Precautions to Take With Pomegranate Juice:

General precautions are to be followed when you take pomegranate juice. Suppose you are suffering from any condition or are on any medication; a discussion with your doctor before taking pomegranate juice is better, as some medicines might react with it. Furthermore, pregnant women or breastfeeding should also consult a doctor regarding the safety of pomegranate juice before drinking it.    

Also Read Giloy Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, and More!

Interactions With Other Drugs:

Studies on mice have shown that pomegranate juice may alter or interfere with the activity or breakdown of the following drugs: 

• Warfarin 
• Carbamazepine 
• Tolbutamide.¹ 

Therefore, if you are on any medication, you should ensure that you discuss with your doctor whether it’s safe to take pomegranate juice or not.   

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

5

0