HEALTH BENEFITS OF POMEGRANATE JUICE
Many claims have been made about the health benefits of pomegranate juice. Are these valid - or just another 'fad'? Let's take a look at a DAILY EXPRESS (front page) feature by Emma Bamford under the heading THE MIRACLE SUPER JUICE. It states: 'Pomegranates hold secret of a longer life, say doctors. One glass of pomegranate juice a day could help thousands live longer, it was recently revealed. The miracle super juice is known to have fantastic health properties, but now researchers say it is effective in treating prostate cancer. And the drink may even kill off the deadly cells. Around 10,000 men die each year from the disease in Britain alone. Prostate cancer is the most common form of the disease affecting men in the UK. But researchers in America say half a pint of pomegranate juice each day is enough to slow the progress of the illness. The drink could help a sufferer aged 65 to 70 to complete his normal life span. A separate Israeli study has hailed the juice as a new "super food" that can reduce the risk of heart and artery disease. The fruit is also said to have anti-ageing properties. As excitement over the findings grew, Sainsbury's, which is supplying food to England's World Cup football team, flew in extra pomegranate juice for the players yesterday. It is not yet known which element in the juice produces the results, said Dr Allan Pantuck, who led the American study. "We don't know if it's one magic bullet or the combination of everything we know is in this juice. My guess is that it's probably a combination of elements, rather than a single component," he said. The three-year study followed 50 patients after surgery or radio-therapy who had seen a rise in blood levels of prostate-specific antigen, known as PSA. This indicates cancer is still present. PSA levels usually double in 15 months, but regular intake of pomegranate juice slowed the doubling time to 54 months. "In older men aged 65 to 70 who have been treated for prostate cancer, we can give them pomegranate juice and it may be possible for them to outlive their risk of dying from the cancer," Dr Pantuck said. "We're hoping we may be able to prevent or delay the need for other therapies usually used in this population, such as hormone treatment or chemotherapy, both of which bring with them harmful side effects." In the study, the speed at which PSA levels rose in the men fell by an average of 35% after they started drinking pomegranate juice. There was also evidence that the juice was actually killing prostate cancer cells. The numbers of cells grown decreased by almost 30% and their division rate fell by 12%. Apoptosis - the process by which defective or cancerous cells "commit suicide" - rose by 17%. "This is not a cure, but we may be able to change the way prostate cancer grows," Dr Pantuck added.
POMEGRANATE JUICE HAS ANTIOXIDANTSHealth benefits of pomegranate juice are known to include its anti-inflammatory effects and its high levels of anti-oxidants - around 3 times higher than green tea or red wine - which protect healthy cells from damage by destructive groups of atoms called free radicals.It also contains polyphenols and isoflavones, which are believed to play a role in cancer cell death. There were concerns about the independence of the University of California study, funded by the Stewart and Lynda Resnick Trust, which produces the POM Wonderful pomegranate drink. But the findings were published in the respected peer review journal Clinical Cancer Research. A much larger trial headed by the university is planned at 10 centres in California. Chris Hiley, head of policy and research at the Prostate Cancer Charity said: "This is certainly interesting and attractively simple. "Time and some more research will show us exactly how important the health benefits of pomegranate juice will turn out to be - and the researchers have already launched a bigger, randomised trial in the US involving five times as many men. This, we hope, will confirm the benefit and provide more detail on what men could reasonably expect from drinking pomegranate juice."
FURTHER POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF POMEGRANATE JUICE
Powerful antioxidant supplement that helps to keep the immune system strong and healthy. Contains two of the most potent fruits found in nature - pomegranates and mangosteens, plus a delicious mix of pear, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry and grapeseed extract. (My personal route to the health benefits of pomegranate juice!)
Scientists in Israel have shown that drinking a daily glass of pomegranate juice can reduce the risk of heart and artery disease. Studies at the Rambam Medical Centre in Haifa found the juice dramatically slowed down the process that causes arteries to thicken and narrow. It also reduced retention of "bad" cholesterol. Thought to have originated in ancient Persia, the pomegranate is steeped in myth and has been seen as a symbol of birth, eternal life and death. In Iran it is believed that Eve was tempted with a pomegranate in the Garden of Eden, rather than an apple. King Cyrus, who founded the Persian Empire, was reputed to have wished for as many good generals as there are seeds in a pomegranate. Later, the Prophet Mohammed is said to have urged his followers to eat the fruit to purge themselves of envy and hatred. The ancient Egyptians were buried with pomegranates in the hope that this would assist their rebirth. The fruit has long been used in folk medicine in the Middle East and India. Healers have used the bark, leaves, skin and rind as well as the edible fruit to cure a multitude of ills. A boiled infusion of the rinds is said to soothe a sore throat and a scalp massage paste made from the leaves is thought to reverse baldness.' Find Forever's powerful pomegranate juice right here!
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