Pomegranates
The power of pomegranates and the polyphenol antioxidants that fight free radicals
SUPER FRUIT WITH SUPER POWER. We’ve all heard about antioxidants and how important they are to include in our diet through whole, natural foods. Here we take a deeper look at what makes antioxidants in pomegranates so unique.
Pomegranates contain antioxidants called polyphenols. Polyphenols are a type of antioxidant known to combat unstable molecules that can cause damage to your cells and DNA over time. These harmful molecules are called free radicals and they’re pomegranate’s adversary.
Though the human body does a good job of handling normal levels of unstable molecules, things like smoking, stress and other environmental pollutants can contribute to the generation of even more free radicals. Which means, unless you live in a bubble, everyone can benefit from the antioxidant power of pomegranates.
POLYPHENOLS: THE INSIDE SCOOP. A variety of polyphenol antioxidants is in every pomegranate. The deep red arils have anthocyanins, while the rind and white pith surrounding the arils have ellagitannins. Pomegranate juice is the perfect way to get the fighting power of both. To maximize the polyphenol level, consuming pomegranate juice made by pressing the entire pomegranate delivers the most benefit.
Celebrate your health this summer with the pomegranate.
Cancer Chemoprevention by Pomegranate: Laboratory and Clinical Evidence
By Vaqar Mustafa Adhami, Naghma Khan, and Hasan Mukhtar
Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA