Granatapfel Punica Granatum : Rubrik:News Pomegranate

Pomegranate Ancient Fruit of Life Yields Modern Promise

jagger — 2005-04-02T07:42:00Z

By Stephen Laifer

In the ongoing quest to find new supplements to help us lead longer, healthier lives, science often returns to things that have been used regularly for thousands of years. A case in point is the pomegranate, whose yellowish-pink, seedy fruit has been a staple of Asian diets since ancient times.

Appropriately, in ancient Greek myth, the pomegranate represents life and regeneration.1 Its herbal use dates back more than 3,000 years, but contemporary science has rediscovered the pomegranates effectiveness in preventing a variety of potentially deadly diseases.2

Dozens of recent studies reveal the pomegranates surprising array of benefits. Pomegranates contain powerful antioxidants that appear to inhibit the onset of atherosclerosis, reduce the risk of heart disease, and mediate high blood pressure. Pomegranate extract also has demonstrated anticarcinogenic properties that are effective in suppressing a variety of cancers, including skin, breast, and colon cancers. The pomegranate has even shown effectiveness in alleviating depression in a mouse model of menopause.

The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a hardy, long-lived subtropical shrub originating in semi-arid regions of Asia.3 It has been cultivated and naturalized over the whole of the Mediter-ranean region since ancient times. Pomegranates are mentioned in Egyptian papyrus scrolls dating back to 1550 BC, and pomegranate branches form part of the decorative motif on the pillars of King Solomons temple.

Spanish settlers introduced pomegranates to California in 1769.4 In the US today, they are typically cultivated in the drier parts of California and Arizona.
Reining in Free Radicals

Free radicalsthe oxygen-reactive byproducts of normal cellular metabolism that attack healthy cellshave been implicated in the acceleration of the bodys natural aging processes. Free radicals can also be formed by external environmental factors such as cigarette smoke and other forms of air pollution.5 Damage by unchecked free-radical compounds can manifest as serious illnesses; for example, cancer is now known to be associated with free-radical damage to healthy cellular DNA.

More than a decade ago, pomegranate peel extracts were shown to possess significant antioxidant activity in various in-vitro models.6 An extract of pomegranate peel was fed to rats, which were then exposed to carbon tetrachloride, a toxic chemical. The pretreatment with pomegranate extract protected levels of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase in the rats. The pomegranate extract also helped to protect the rats livers from the toxic effects of carbon tetrachloride.6

Another more recent study focused on the antioxidant effectiveness of plant pigments called bioflavonoids, commonly found in berries, cherries, grapes, and citrus. Pomegranate juice was found to exhibit three times more antioxidant activity than red wine or green tea.7 The active constituent that appears to be responsible is ellagic acid, a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound in pomegranates.
Unclogging Arteries

Numerous studies of atherosclerosis suggest that the disease is at least partly caused by free-radical reactions involving diet-derived lipids that induce harmful changes in the arterial walls.8

A recent study by the Lipid Research Laboratory in Haifa, Israel, explored dietary supplementation with polyphenolic antioxidants in animals. The researchers noted that pomegranate juice was associated with the inhibition of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and with slowing the development of atherosclerosis.9

The Israeli researchers further ascertained the effects of pomegranate juice consumption by atherosclerotic patients with carotid artery stenosis (a narrowing of the carotid artery walls). Ten patients supplemented with the juice for one year. In the pomegranate-supplemented group, carotid intima-media thickness, an indicator of atherosclerosis progression, was reduced by up to 30%. By contrast, in a control group that did not consume pomegranate juice, carotid intima-media thickness increased by 9% over 12 months. Moreover, in the pomegranate-supplemented patients, serum LDL levels were also significantly reduced while serum total antioxidant status increased by 130% after one year.9
Reducing Hypertension

Hypertension (high blood pressure) affects an estimated 50 million Americans and augments the risk for stroke, heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, and kidney disease. Pomegranates may be of benefit in modulating this often silent yet potentially lethal risk factor for heart disease.

In the Israeli study, systolic blood pressure was reduced by 21% after one year of pomegranate juice consumption.9 This effect is believed to be related to the particularly potent antioxidant properties of pomegranate polyphenols.

A similar study at the same research facility examined consumption of pomegranate juice to ascertain its effectiveness in lowering blood pressure. Researchers studied the effect on hypertensive patients of daily consumption of 50 ml of pomegranate juice. After two weeks, a 5% reduction in systolic blood pressure was noted, along with a 36% decrease in serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity.10 Reduc-tion in serum ACE activity has previously been shown to attenuate atherosclerosis, independent of its effects on blood pressure. The study authors concluded, Pomegranate juice can offer wide protection against cardiovascular diseases, which could be related to its inhibitory effect on oxidative stress and on serum ACE activity.
Improving Lipid Profiles

A recent Iranian study examined the effects of concentrated pomegranate juice on lipid profiles of type II diabetes patients with elevated blood lipids, or hyperlipidemia. The patients supplemented with pomegranate juice for eight weeks. The study participants saw significant reductions in their total cholesterol, LDL, LDL:HDL (high-density lipoprotein) ratio, and total cholesterol:HDL ratio. Serum HDL and triglycerides did not change significantly. The study authors concluded that consumption of concentrated pomegranate extract may modify heart-disease risk factors in patients with high cholesterol.11 Further research is needed to determine whether pomegranate helps lower blood lipid levels in non-diabetic individuals.
Anti-Tumor-Promoting Effects

In recent years, chemoprevention has received as much attention as chemotherapy in the fight against cancer. The search for new ways to stop cancer before its onset has led investigators to examine a wide variety of natural agents. A recent study at the University of Wisconsin argues that agents capable of intervening at more than one critical pathway in the process of carcinogenesis will have greater advantage over other single-target agents.12

The Wisconsin researchers found that pomegranate fruit extract possesses strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The extract was evaluated for anti-tumor-promoting effects, specifically involving topical application against skin tumors. The researchers concluded that animals pretreated with pomegranate fruit extract showed 70% less tumor incidence compared to animals that did not receive it. The study authors believe that their results provide clear evidence that [pomegranate fruit extract] possesses anti-skin-tumor-promoting effects, and may possess chemopreventive activity in a wide range of tumor models.12

These findings support the promising results of a pair of 2003 studies in South Dakota and Japan that explored pomegranate seed oil as a safe and effective agent against skin cancer and colon cancer tumors, respectively.13,14 In a 2002 study, pomegranate seed oil inhibited the proliferation of human breast cancer cells up to 90%, while fermented pomegranate juice polyphenols inhibited 47% of cancerous lesion formation in mammary gland cells from mice.15 Ellagic acid, a polyphenol derived from pomegranate, has been identified to have potent antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-atherosclerotic properties.16
No Known Toxicity

A variety of recent studies have demonstrated that pomegranate, in various forms, can be included as part of a healthy lifestyle with no risk of toxic reactions. A Cuban study, for example, found that two doses of pomegranate extract (0.4 and 1.2 mg per kilogram of body weight, respectively) given to rats produced no toxic effects in terms of food intake, weight gain, or behavioral or biochemical factors.17

Another study took these results further, examining still higher doses of pomegranate extract administered orally to rats for 37 days.18 No significant differences in toxicity were found in the treated rats in any of the blood parameters analyzed, a finding corroborated by analyses of both the liver and kidney.

Until recently, adding the benefits of pomegranate to the diet has presented something of a challenge. The fruit itself is messy and rather difficult to prepare due to its large number of seeds. Prepackaged pomegranate juice, either pure or in concentrate, remains relatively scarce in Western supermarkets and health food stores. Encapsulated or powdered forms of pomegranate extract are becoming much more widely available, making it easier to control the daily dosage. Most packaging lists the ellagic acid content by percentage. The good news for members of the Life Extension Foundation is that a standardized pomegranate extract containing 32% ellagic acid has just been added to the popular Life Extension Mix formula.
Conclusion

The pomegranate, an ancient fruit whose regenerative properties have been celebrated for thousands of years, has come under growing scrutiny by medical researchers seeking natural agents for the prevention and treatment of degenerative diseases.

In numerous recent experiments, pomegranates have been shown to contain powerful antioxidant compounds that scientists believe may inhibit atherosclerosis, cut the risk of heart disease, and help to modulate high blood pressure. Pomegranate extract also has demonstrated anticarcinogenic properties that appear to suppress skin, breast, colon, and other cancers.

These varied and very promising disease-promoting effects are likely to make the pomegranate the focus of modern medical research for some time to come.
References

1. New Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology. London: Hamly; 1983.

2. Brown D. Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. London: Dorling Kindersley; 1995.

3. Morton J. Fruits of warm climates. Creative Resource Systems, Inc.; 1987:352-5.

4. Butterfield HM. A history of subtropical fruits and nuts in California. University of California, Agricultural Experiment Station. 1963.

5. Langseth L. Oxidants, antioxidants and disease prevention. International Life Science Institute, Belgium; 1996.

6. Chidambara Murthy KN, Jayaprakasha GK, Singh RP. Studies on antioxidant activity of pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel extract using in vivo models. J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Aug 14;50(17):4791-5.

7. Gil MI, Tomas-Barberan FA, Hess-Pierce B, Holcroft DM, Kader AA. Antioxidant activitiy of pomegranate juice and its relationship with phenolic composition and processing. J Agric Food Chem. 2000 Oct;48(10):4581-9.

8. Harman D. Role of free radicals in aging and disease. Ann NY Acad Sci. 1992 Dec 26; 673:126-41.

9. Aviram M, Rosenblat M, Gaitini D, et al. Pomegranate juice consumption for 3 years by patients with carotid artery stenosis reduces common carotid intima-media thickness, blood pressure and LDL oxidation. Clin Nutr. 2004 Jun;23(3):423-33.

10. Aviram M, Dornfeld L. Pomegranate juice consumption inhibits serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity and reduces systolic blood pressure. Atherosclerosis. 2001 Sep;158(1):195-8.

11. Esmaillzadeh A, Tahbaz F, Gaieni I, Alavi- Majd H, Azadbakht L. Concentrated pomegranate juice improves lipid profiles in diabetic patients with hyperlipi- demia. J Med Food. 2004 Fall;7(3):305-8.

12. Afaq F, Saleem M, Krueger CG, Reed JD, Mukhtar H. Anthocyanin-and hydrolyzable tannin-rich pomegranate fruit extract modulates MAPK and NF-kappaB path- ways and inhibits skin tumorigenesis in CD-1 mice. Int J Cancer. 2004 Sep 28.

13. Hora JJ, Maydew ER, Lansky EP, Dwivedi C. Chemopreventive effects of pomegranate seed oil on skin tumor development in CD1 mice. J Med Food. 2003 Fall;6(3):157- 61.

http://www.lef.org
pomegrante news

Pomegranate Juice Cuts Cardiovascular Risks

jagger — 2005-03-23T08:08:00Z

By Serena Gordon
HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, March 22 (HealthDay News) -- A large glass of pomegranate juice a day may help keep the heart doctor away.

Italian and American scientists report that pomegranate juice helped keep fatty deposits from collecting on artery walls in mice, and kept human heart cells healthier.

"Mice that drank pomegranate juice were able to significantly reduce the progression of atherosclerosis, [by] at least 30 percent," said study co-author Dr. Claudio Napoli, a professor of medicine and clinical pathology at the University of Naples School of Medicine in Italy.

The findings appear in this week's issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Pomegranates, a native Middle Eastern fruit, are finding their way into more and more homes in the United States. The fruit contains crunchy seeds surrounded by juicy pulp and is a good source of potassium, vitamin C and antioxidants, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

"Pomegranates are fun to eat, but messy," noted Samantha Heller, a senior clinical nutritionist at New York University Medical Center. For that reason, she said, "juice may be a better option."

Napoli and his colleagues tested the effects of pomegranate juice in mice that were bred to have high cholesterol and on human heart cells in culture.

Previous studies, according to Napoli, have suggested the antioxidants found in pomegranate juice might reduce plaque buildup on artery walls and reduce oxidative stress on endothelial cells, the cells that line blood vessels. These cells produce nitric oxide, a substance that helps the blood vessels relax.

The researchers found that heart cells treated with pomegranate juice had a 50 percent increase in nitric oxide production, and that mice given pomegranate juice reduced the rate of plaque buildup by about 30 percent.

"The protective effects of pomegranate juice were higher than previously assumed," Napoli noted.

The researchers don't know the exact reason why pomegranate juice appears to protect artery walls from fatty deposits, but they suspect that the increased nitric oxide production may play a role, and that polyphenols -- powerful antioxidants contained in pomegranates and other foods -- may directly protect the arteries by reducing oxidative stress.

Other fruits and juices that contain polyphenols include blueberries, cranberries, oranges and grapes. Red wine also contains polyphenols, Napoli said.

Heller pointed out that while pomegranates are very healthy and high in antioxidants, they can be expensive and aren't always easy to find. Plus, she said, "all fruits and vegetables are just packed with healthy phytochemicals." Examples she cited as being high in antioxidants include berries, beans, apples, pecans and artichokes, just to name a few.

Heller also noted that the study was done primarily on mice and that data from mice don't always extrapolate to humans. But, she added, "the phytochemicals in pomegranates, which are also present in other fruits and vegetables, are really very good for us, and do help prevent certain chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer."

Napoli said that while it is hard to extrapolate data from mice to humans, an equivalent amount of pomegranate juice for humans would be the equivalent of about 16 ounces daily.

http://www.forbes.com

Pomegranate Juice Fights Heart Disease, Study Says

jagger — 2005-03-23T08:05:00Z

Stefan Lovgren
for National Geographic News

In the mythology of ancient Babylonia, pomegranate was considered an agent of resurrection. Now there is scientific evidence for the fruit's restorative powers.

According to a new study, antioxidants contained in pomegranate juice may help reduce the formation of fatty deposits on artery walls. Antioxidants are compounds that limit cell damage.

Scientists have tested the juice in mice and found that it combats hardening of the arteries (atherogenesis) and related diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes.

"In this experimental study, we have established that polyphenols [antioxidant chemicals] and other natural compounds contained in the pomegranate juice may retard atherogenesis," said Claudio Napoli, a professor of medicine and clinical pathology at the University of Naples, Italy.

The research is published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Legendary Powers

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is native to a region ranging from Iran to the Himalaya. It later spread to the Mediterranean area and now grows in most of the United States.

The apple-size fruit, which grows on rounded plants 15 to 20 feet (4.6 to 6 meters) tall, contains a sack of seeds and a juicy pulp.

In ancient Greece pomegranate was known as the fruit of the dead. In Hebrew tradition pomegranates adorned the vestments of the high priest. Ancient Persians believed that pomegranate seeds made their warriors invincible. In China the fruit symbolized longevity.

Scientists have long known about health benefits of pomegranates. The latest study, in particular, shows that the juice limits the genetic tendency toward hardening of the arteries.

"The protective effects of pomegranate juice were higher than previously assumed," Napoli said.

The study was done at the University of Naples, Italy, and the University of California, Los Angeles.

The researchers used mice to test the health effects of pomegranate juice. The fruit juice is rich in natural polyphenols, including tannins and anthocyanins, which have protective effects on the arterial wall.

"Although it is difficult to extrapolate human indications from experimental data, it is conceivable that 500 milliliters [1 pint] of pomegranate juice may exert some beneficial effects in patients with early stages of atherosclerotic diseases," Napoli said.

Other Juices

The antioxidant level in pomegranate juice was found to be higher than that in other natural juices, such as blueberry, cranberry, and orange juices, as well as red wine.

Scientists have found that polyphenols from red wine can reduce LDL ("bad" cholesterol). Black tea consumption also reverses endothelial dysfunction (damage to the cell structure of the arteries) in patients with chronic heart disease.

Similarly, the polyphenols contained in purple grape juice have also been found to have beneficial effects on patients with coronary heart disease.

Napoli points out that not every antioxidant study has confirmed that the chemicals can help prevent heart attacks. "Certain large clinical trials employing different antioxidants have failed to show any beneficial effects in the prevention of major cardiovascular events," He said.

He said the models employed in experimental studies may not precisely reflect the disease in humans.

"We need to study the effects of these substances in patients with early stages of atherosclerotic diseases," Napoli said. "Aged patients with advanced stages of atherosclerosis are not the best candidates to this therapeutic approach."

http://news.nationalgeographic.com

Antioxidants in Pomegranate Juice May Fight Hardening of the Arteries

jagger — 2005-03-22T07:45:22Z

Pomegranate Juice May Clear Clogged Arteries

March 21, 2005 -- Forget the coffee or orange juice: A new study shows that pomegranate juice should be the beverage of choice to fight hardening of the arteries.

Researchers found that pomegranate juice not only appears to prevent hardening of the arteries by reducing blood vessel damage, but the antioxidant-rich juice may also reverse the progression of this disease.

Hardening of the arteries, known medically as atherosclerosis, refers to the build up of plaque in the walls of arteries. This causes decreased blood flow that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Pomegranate Juice Soothes Stressed Arteries

In the study, researchers tested the effects of pomegranate juice on samples of human cells that line blood vessels. The cells were exposed to excessive physical stress, such as might occur with high blood pressure.

Cells that were treated with pomegranate juice had less evidence of damage from the stress.

In addition, tests on mice showed that pomegranate juice significantly slowed hardening of the arteries that developed from high cholesterol.

If further studies show those results in humans, researchers say pomegranate juice may be useful in both prevention and treatment of heart disease.

Pomegranate Tops Other Juices

The tests showed that pomegranate juice reduced the effects of stress on human blood vessel cells by stimulating the production of nitric oxide. This chemical is thought to help keep arteries open and keep blood flowing.

Researchers say the beneficial effects of pomegranate juice on hardening of the arteries are likely largely due to its high antioxidant content. The study showed that the antioxidant level in pomegranate juice was higher than that found in other fruit juices, including blueberry, cranberry, orange, and even red wine.

Previous studies on red wine, black tea, and purple grape juice have already indicated these antioxidant-rich beverages can protect arteries from damage by improving blood flow. However, large clinical trials using different antioxidants have yet to show that antioxidants can prevent heart attacks and other major heart-related events.

The results of this study appear in the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Medical News
http://my.webmd.com

Pomegranate juice: Miracle in a bottle?

jagger — 2005-01-21T10:16:11Z

http://daily.stanford.edu
By Jillian Wong
Thursday, January 20, 2005

Ever heard a beverage referred to as intriguing? A super power? The newly popular POM Wonderful brand of pomegranate juice would have you believe its product is all this and more.

According to the companys web site, the juice contains more antioxidant power than any other drink. But what does this mean? And more importantly, is it true of the increasingly pricey pomegranate juice, or is it nothing more than a passing craze?

Squeezed from the reddish-purple pomegranate fruit, the juice has been advertised as a tasty defender against disease, not to mention free radicals unstable oxygen molecules that can damage cells and lead to a litany of major health problems: Alzheimers, heart disease, rapid aging, high cholesterol and some cancers.

The human body is exposed to free radicals, also known as oxidants, every day. Cigarette smoke, for example, releases concentrated amounts of free radicals that are then inhaled. On top of external sources, every cell in the body generates tens of thousands of oxidants every day.

A study conducted at UC-Davis found that pomegranate juice contains nearly three times as many antioxidants as other top free-radical blockers, including blueberry juice and red wine.

Pomegranates also contain tannins, anthocyanins and polyphenols, which fight disease, according to a study conducted at the Lipid Research Laboratory in Haifa, Israel.

Freshman Sommer Panage not only enjoys the health benefits of pomegranate juice, but also its taste.

I drank pomegranate juice knowing that it contains vitamin C and potassium, and that it helps to prevent cancer, she said. I personally really loved the sweet taste of the juice, but I know that its one of those things where you might like it, but the person next to you doesnt.

But POM doesnt have everyone running to the supermarket. Many remain skeptical of the juices trendy image.

For one thing, the pomegranates popularity has turned it into quite the delicacy. Its no mystery why the ubiquitous advertisements never mention the price. According to the POM Wonderful website, the average price for a medium-sized bottle of the juice is $5, pretty steep compared to $1 bottles of Dasani water available in campus vending machines.

Students looking to integrate pomegranate juice into their diets without making a dent in their spending money might consider mixing the drink with tonic water for a tangy cocktail or orange juice for a breakfast boost.

But even though some advertisements brag that the beverage will fulfill ones wildest antioxidant dreams, experts say it is far from being a nutritional silver bullet.

Vaden nutritionist Vivian Crisman, for one, doesnt buy into the all too recent hype surrounding pomegranate juice.

Yes, it is very high in antioxidants, and thus being touted as having significant health benefits, she said. But is it a miracle drink? No, I dont view any one food as a miracle food. It can be part of a well-rounded diet, high in fruits and vegetables.

Yet even if one wants to sport a cute bottle of POM around campus, he or she will have to find a ride to Safeway, since the drink is not distributed on campus.

This does not mean, however, that there arent many ways to meet ones antioxidant quota during the day. Easily accessible sources including gingko biloba, green tea, orange juice and vegetables with distinct colors like tomatoes, broccoli and corn are all available in dorm dining halls, and might go a little easier on your wallet.

Pomegranate Extract Blocks Skin Tumors in Mice

jagger — 2005-01-21T10:14:18Z

http://www.reuters.com

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Pomegranate fruit extract (PFE) can block skin tumor formation in mice exposed to a cancer-causing agent, according to a report in the International Journal of Cancer.

Dr. Hasan Mukhtar and colleagues from the University of Wisconsin at Madison conducted a variety of experiments to test the anti-cancer effects of PFE, a chemical with strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

In mice, putting PFE on the skin before exposure to the cancer-causing substance TPA inhibited the skin swelling and excessive cell growth that typically occurs. Moreover, mice treated with PFE developed fewer skin tumors than untreated mice.

Further studies are needed to determine if PFE affects other cancers and whether the findings apply to humans.

SOURCE: International Journal of Cancer, January 20, 2005.

Pomegranate juice a taste of the new year

jagger — 2005-01-17T15:50:03Z

http://www.thestar.com

Drinks are flying off Toronto shelves

HICHAM SAFIEDDINE
STAFF REPORTER

If pomegranate fruit was last winter's most talked-about produce, its juice is turning out to be an even hotter item this season.

Pom Wonderful pomegranate juice is so popular at Toronto's Whole Foods Market (Avenue Rd., north of Bloor St.), manager Peter Hilge can't keep up with demand.

"Since we brought this drink from the U.S. six weeks ago, I am always running out of stock. We have now doubled our orders three times ... and it is not a cheap drink, but that does not seem to be an issue," Hilge says as he inspects the 473-ml bottles, which go for $5.99 each.

Chowhounds are seeking the scarlet-coloured refresher elsewhere in the city.

A Sobeys representative told the Star that customers are asking for it by name if it is not on the shelf, and a Dominion spokesperson said it is gaining popularity at their locations.

Billboards hailing the drink as a health marvel have also recently sprung up in the city.

The ad slogans "Floss your Arteries. Daily" and "Healthcare in a bottle" tap into the potential health benefits derived from the pomegranate's high level of antioxidants, which some studies suggest may reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

In fact, the healing power of the ancient fruit is an age-old popular cultural belief in the Middle East.

Since pomegranate has a short season (October to January), the juice offers a year-long alternative for lovers of the sweet fruit, which is packed with edible seeds. Plus, it's a whole lot less messy.

"We crush the fresh pomegranate in October and condense it and then reconstitute the drink throughout the year," Pom Wonderful's Fiona Posell explains.

"A lot of the goodness of the taste comes from the husk and the inner membrane of the fruit."

The all-pomegranate juice is one of five refrigerated juices launched by the California-based marketing group Pom Wonderful in November of 2002 and introduced to major Canadian stores last fall. (The other flavours mix pomegranate with tangerine, cherry, blueberry and mango.)

The fruit and its juice can make for colour-rich salads, entrees, desserts and martinis.

Pomegranate syrup, paste and juice are also common ingredients in Iranian cuisine.

Some Middle Eastern stores in Toronto that carry pomegranate juice include Pars Food, 6089 Yonge St.; Nasr Foods, 1996 Lawrence Ave. E.; and Ladan Pastry and Nuts, 2016 Lawrence Ave. E.

Pomegranate juice packs plenty antioxidants

jagger — 2004-12-01T15:14:43Z

By SHEAH RARBACK

tosrarback@hotmail.com

Q: I keep seeing pomegranate juice in the supermarket. Is it better than other juices?

The pomegranate might be a new fruit for some but it was prominent in ancient Egyptian mythology and carried on desert caravans as a thirst quencher. The deep bluish-purple color of pomegranate juice is the first clue that this is a powerful potion. Pomegranate juice is one of the richest sources of a group of strong antioxidants called polyphenols. Simply put, antioxidants slow or prevent the cell damage that occurs with oxidation.

There is published research demonstrating pomegranate juice's ability to reduce arterial plaque and lower blood pressure. These two factors can reduce the risk of heart disease. An 8-ounce serving of this powerful juice has 140 calories. It can be used in marinades or glazes, and the seeds from the fruit can be sprinkled over salads and desserts. Other good sources of polyphenol antioxidants are red wine, grapes, blueberries, cranberries and green tea.

Q: Do I have to take magnesium with my calcium supplement?

A: Calcium is not the only mineral involved in building strong bones. Magnesium helps make parathyroid hormone, a regulator of bone building. Studies have shown magnesium might slow bone breakdown. As with all minerals, magnesium has many body functions and is part of more than 300 body enzymes. It helps signal muscles to relax and contract. The best food sources for magnesium are dark green vegetables, peanut butter, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. If you are not eating enough of these foods, you can take a calcium supplement with magnesium. Look for a supplement that has 2 parts calcium to 1 part magnesium (600 mg. of calcium and 300 mg. of magnesium).

Sheah Rarback is a University of Miami registered dietitian.

http://www.miami.com

Pomegranate juice in heart health trial / Pomegranateextrakt

jagger — 2004-11-30T15:01:49Z

29/11/2004 - Researchers in Britain are to test whether drinking pomegranate juice can prevent blood vessel damage and help to protect against heart disease.

Israeli scientists have previously demonstrated that the fruit juice, taken daily, prevented the thickening of arteries in the neck (Clin Nutr. 2004 Jun;23(3):423-33).

The new trials at Hammersmith hospital in London will focus on people with healthy arteries to find out whether the juice could be an effective prevention measure against heart disease.

"Preliminary studies suggest that pomegranate juice may contain almost three times the total antioxidant ability compared to the same quantity of green tea or red wine," said cardiologist Dr Richard Bogle.

Pomegranates contain polyphenols, tannins and anthocyanins, all thought to help fight disease. Extracts of the fruit are also being researched for the cancer-fighting properties.

In other studies at the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, the juice of the fruit was found to slow down cholesterol oxidation by almost half, and reduce the retention of LDL.

www.nutraingredients.com

Youth Builder increases hydration in the dermal layer of the skin that reduces fine lines and wrinkles by 34%, and increases skin elasticity by 18% with a unique blend of Glucosamine and Amino Acids, which are essential to healthy collagen and elastin formation. Wet Suit strengthens cell membranes and locks in cellular water by supplying phosphatidylcholine, the building block for lecithin, which makes up the cell membrane, and encourages the maintenance of water levels. Also contained in Wet Suit are Gamma Linoleic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to reduce inflammation and free radicals that cause water loss. Pomphenol Sunguard, the first supplement ever created, with pure pomegranate extract that contains an antioxidant-rich, protective formula, serves as an environmental defense booster increasing the SPF of topical sunscreens by up to 25%. In addition, pomegranate extract is studied worldwide for its benefits as an anti-cancer agent.

www.mysan.de

2,500 Year Old Pomegranate Found in Greece

jagger — 2004-10-02T10:26:39Z

ATHENS, Greece - A scientific dig has uncovered four pomegranates believed to be 2,500 years old preserved inside a woven basket nestled in a bronze vessel, a Greek archaeologist said Friday.

The fruits were found at an archaeological dig in the area of Ancient Corinth, about 63 miles west of Athens.

"They were preserved because the vessel was closed very well. The oxidization of the bronze functioned protectively, so no microorganisms developed and destroyed them," Panayiota Kasimi, the archaeologist in charge of the dig, told The Associated Press.

Archaeologists have been digging in a search for antiquities ahead of the construction of an area railroad line. Such digs are common before major construction projects.

The pomegranates were placed in a special refrigerator for further study, Kasimi said.

Archaeologists would not allow the fruit to be photographed.

http://www.ap.org

The power of pomegranate

jagger — 2004-09-30T07:47:02Z

The power of pomegranate
http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/living/9783498.htm

Prized since antiquity for their taste and beauty, exotic pomegranates are enjoying new popularity, thanks to news about their health benefits.

BY JOE STUMPE

The Wichita Eagle

The only pomegranates many people have in their homes are part of holiday table decorations or that little bottle of grenadine in their liquor cabinet.

But pomegranates are full of surprises. Literally.

Pop one open and you'll find hundreds of tiny red sacs filled with a sweet yet tart juice.

Make pomegranates part of your regular diet and you'll reap health benefits.

Look into their history and you'll find a food revered since the earliest times.

Indeed, some scholars have concluded that it was a pomegranate -- not an apple -- that Eve was offered in the Garden of Eden.

Pomegranates (the name comes from the French for "seeded apple") originated in Asia and have been widely cultivated since ancient times in the Middle East and Mediterranean. In Greek myth, Hades made Zeus' daughter, Persephone, the queen of the underworld by tempting her with a juicy pomegranate.

Pomegranates are certainly tempting to look at with their burgundy skin and flared, spiky crown. Inside is another spectacle -- a tough, bitter membrane holding 840 arils, each a tiny sack of juice surrounding a seed.

The seeds can be eaten or spit out; they're a good source of fiber. But it's the delicious juice that recent medical research has shown contains powerful antioxidants that work against heart disease and cancer. That research, trumpeted in Time, Self, Bon Apetit and other national publications, has made the pomegranate one of the hot new foods.

Pomegranates are available from September through January, which means they're at their peak right now (and currently selling for about $1.50 each). When shopping for pomegranates, choose the heaviest you can find; they'll contain more juice. Bottled pomegranate juice is now widely available year-round (POM Wonderful is the leading brand).

The arils with their seeds make a great snack. In recipes they're used to add flavor and texture to dishes, and also to make an attractive edible garnish.

To open a pomegranate, cut off the crown end. Score the skin in quarters from top to bottom and break the sections apart, then gently scoop the seed clusters into a bowl; remove any pith. Or you can break open the pomegranate underwater; the seeds will sink to the bottom while the membrane and pith floats to the top.

The juice is used to make sauces, jams, marinades and a host of drinks, alcoholic and otherwise. Grenadine, the sweet red mixer, was traditionally made from pomegranate juice.

There are several ways to extract the juice from a pomegranate; the best way is also the most fun. Roll the fruit under your palm on a counter with mild pressure. You'll hear a crunching noise; it's the arils popping. When the crunching stops, puncture the pomegranate with a knife and squeeze out the juice.

If you decide pomegranates are just too pretty to eat, you can display them in a bowl, floral arrangement or wreath. You can increase their shine by applying a bit of cooking oil and buffing it with a paper towel. They will also last dried for many months.

http://granatapfel-kern-oel.de/pome-granate-seed-oil.html

Chemopreventive and adjuvant therapeutic potential of pomegranate

jagger — 2004-09-10T06:26:08Z

http://www.annieappleseedproject.org/chemadtheran.html

ABSTRACT: Chemopreventive and adjuvant therapeutic potential of pomegranate (Punica granatum) for human breast cancer

Fresh organically grown pomegranates (Punica granatum L.) of the Wonderful cultivar were processed into three components: fermented juice, aqueous pericarp extract and cold-pressed or supercritical CO2-extracted seed oil.

Exposure to additional solvents yielded polyphenol-rich fractions ('polyphenols') from each of the three components. Their actions, and of the crude whole oil and crude fermented and unfermented juice concentrate, were assessed in vitro for possible chemopreventive or adjuvant therapeutic potential in human breast cancer.

The ability to effect a blockade of endogenous active estrogen biosynthesis was shown by polyphenols from fermented juice, pericarp, and oil, which inhibited aromatase activity by 60-80%. Fermented juice and pericarp polyphenols, and whole seed oil, inhibited 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase Type 1 from 34 to 79%, at concentrations ranging from 100 to 1,000 micro-g/ml according to seed oil [Gt] fermented juice polyphenols > pericarp polyphenols. In a yeast estrogen screen (YES) lyophilized fresh pomegranate juice effected a 55% inhibition of the estrogenic activity of 17-beta-estradiol; whereas the lyophilized juice by itself displayed only minimal estrogenic action.

Inhibition of cell lines by fermented juice and pericarp polyphenols was according to estrogen-dependent (MCF-7) [Gt] estrogen-independent (MB-MDA-231) > normal human breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A). In both MCF-7 and MB-MDA-231 cells, fermented pomegranate juice polyphenols consistently showed about twice the anti-proliferative effect as fresh pomegranate juice polyphenols.

Pomegranate seed oil effected 90% inhibition of proliferation of MCF-7 at 100 micro-g/ml medium, 75% inhibition of invasion of MCF-7 across a Matrigel membrane at 10 micro-g/ml, and 54% apoptosis in MDA-MB-435 estrogen receptor negative metastatic human breast cancer cells at 50 micro-g/ml.

In a %% murine mammary gland organ culture, fermented juice polyphenols effected 47% inhibition of cancerous lesion formation induced by the carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA).

The findings suggest that clinical trials to further assess chemopreventive and adjuvant therapeutic applications of pomegranate in human breast cancer may be warranted.

[03/11/2002; Breast Cancer Research and Treatment]

Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training.

Pomegranate production doubles in 2004

jagger — 2004-08-17T13:21:57Z

Total pomegranate production will double this year to 9,000 tons, compared to last year, and sales are expected to reach NIS 80 million. In total, some 6,000 dunams are devoted to pomegranates, from the Negev to the Galilee panhandle. Giora Sela, secretary of the Fruit Growers Association, said that in recent years the industry has concentrated on new strains of the multiseeded fruit, including those that can be opened more easily, or with softer edible pips. Pomegranates are very healthy, Sela pointed out, and research has indicated that pomegranate juice is good for preventing heart disease. (Amiram Cohen)

http://www.haaretzdaily.com

IS POMEGRANATE JUICE THE NEW HEALTH ELIXIR?

jagger — 2004-07-30T09:09:49Z

By Lucy Mason

IF YOU want to improve your sex life, look after your heart, cut your risk of skin cancer and protect your baby during pregnancy, pomegranate juice could be the answer.

Although the exotic fruit has been eaten for its healing powers for thousands of years - the medicinal powers of the pomegranate are mentioned in Greek mythology and the Chinese drank it to fight off old age - new research has confirmed its health benefits.

Heart saver

Now scientists in Israel have found that the juice slows down the damage caused by cholesterol, reduces blood pressure and more than doubles the levels of health-boosting antioxidants in the blood.

Biochemist Dr Michael Aviram says: "The potential exists for high-risk patients to be spared bypass surgery simply by drinking pomegranate juice."

This is because pomegranates are a rich source of flavonoids, which protect the heart.

Better than red wine

Professor Roger Corder, a leading heart expert at the William Harvey Research Institute in London, says one glass of pomegranate juice is equivalent to two glasses of red wine, ten cups of green tea, six cups of cocoa or four glasses of cranberry juice - all of which contain flavonoids.

The charity Heart UK has already endorsed Pomegreat - the UK's first pomegranate juice drink - which is available from Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Booths.

Sex booster

Pomegranate juice is also packed with vitamins A, C and E, all of which boost libido in men and women.

Vitamin A increases testosterone and oestrogen levels, while a lack of vitamin E in the diet could mean a lower sex drive and reduced fertility. Vitamin C boosts sexual appetite and increases men's semen volume.

Cancer fighter

According to the American Association for Cancer Research, pomegranate extract helps to fight skin cancer. And scientists in the Netherlands have tested pure pomegranate seed oil on breast cancer patients.

Seeds of life

Drinking a daily glass of pomegranate juice can even help to protect your baby during pregnancy, as it contains the recommended daily allowance of folic acid.

Nutritionist Natalie Savona says: "Because of its many seeds, the pomegranate has been a traditional symbol of fertility across the world, but now scientists are showing that it has remarkable antioxidant powers too."

http://www.mirror.co.uk

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jagger — 2004-07-20T21:25:54Z

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