By Jessica Hunter, Coordinated Program in Nutrition
Pomegranates have long been touted for their health benefits. Originating in Persia, this unique and exotic fruit has a rich history. Ancient writings have even declared that eating pomegranates would allow one to experience fertility, abundance, and luck. Although some claims inspire our imagination, it is important to understand that health benefits should be based on scientific evidence. With the popularity of pomegranatesrising in the United States since 2007, researchers have conducted numerous studies to further investigate its potential benefits.
Pomegranates contain phytochemicals and antioxidants, but what exactly are these and how do they help our bodies? Phytochemicals are substances that are naturally produced by plants. They help give fruits and vegetables their vibrant colors. Antioxidants are also found in fruits and vegetables. Research has shown that consumption of antioxidants can help to protect our cells from becoming damaged through processes occurring in the body and environmental exposures such as air pollution, cigarette smoke and sunlight. Research has suggested that increasing intake of plant foods that are rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants may help to decrease risk factors for diseases and improve stress and inflammation levels. A recent studypublished in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture investigated the effects of pomegranate juice consumption on patients who receive dialysis treatments for chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Why did researchers decide to focus on patients undergoing dialysis treatments? Well, dialysis is a procedure that is necessary when kidneys do not work properly. It uses a machine to filter toxins, fluids, and waste products out of the blood. Patients with CKD may have a higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease due to shared risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and lipid disorders. During the study, participants underwent multiple tests. Researchers gathered data on their blood pressure, weight and body composition, and blood levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, antioxidants, the oxidative marker MDA and the inflammation marker IL-6. Forty-one participants were selected from dialysis clinics in Shiraz, Iran with twenty-one allocated to the pomegranate juice group and nineteen allocated to the control group. For eight weeks, the pomegranate juice group consumed 100 ml of freshly squeezed juice three times per week after their dialysis treatment. The control group did not receive a placebo beverage due to ethical issues. After the first eight weeks, the groups were crossed over. This means the original pomegranate juice group was now the control group and the original control group would now receive the pomegranate juice three times per week after dialysis.
Results
Data demonstrated that in comparison to the control group, the pomegranate juice group had decreased blood pressure, decreased triglycerides, increased HDL or “good” cholesterol, and decreased markers of stress and oxidation.
Does this mean I should drink more pomegranate juice or tell someone I know undergoing dialysis to add this to their diet?
Not necessarily. Although the findings from this study were significant for this sample, previous research has also shown the importance of a balanced diet of different types of fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidants and other nutrients that help us to maintain health and reduce risk of chronic diseases. It may also be beneficial to eat whole pomegranates because the fiber is more filling and can help to prevent quick spikes in blood sugar levels. In addition, this study cannot be generalized to patients who receive dialysis in other countries due to potential differences in phytochemical and antioxidant content in pomegranates grown in these regions. In conclusion, we can still enjoy the various forms of this beautiful and tasty fruit, we just may not experience the same effects as the people in the study.