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The health benefits of pomegranate juice are something to consider if you are have found that you enjoy juicing and making your own juice at home. Trying new juices on a diet can be a great way to get your servings of vegetables and fruits, as well as help keep you away from other sweets and distractions from eating healthy. Like all juice recipes for weight loss we’ve mentioned on LoseFree before, drinking juice should be a supplement to your diet, not a substitute for meals. Drinking Pomegranate juice and others in a well balanced meal with the other food groups can not only help you get your fruits and vegetable servings in a fun and convenient way, but there are many health benefits as well.
The Pomengranate is grown in the United States primarily in California and Arizona, though its origins are in India. When opened, a pomengranate is filled with seeds and a while milky pulp. There is really no right or wrong way to eat one, though it can be pretty messy!
This video below shows someone making pomegranate juice and mixing it with orange juice for a healthy drink:
The health benefits of pomegranate juice, like most health benefits of any food you happen to hear about, are not conclusive or highly researched. Studies done have only been in very small groups, which makes it more difficult to rely on them. Pomegranates are also very high in sugar, which is why if you are looking to lose weight you may be better off to avoid them or drink only in moderation, such as once a week. (If you are trying to reduce sugar cravings you may want to avoid them all together until you have successfully quit sugar for good!)
Nonetheless, there are some claimed benefits of pomegranate juice that for some may make it worthwhile to try and enjoy the drink:
Reduced Cholesterol: The pomegranate has many of the same antioxidants that are found in grapes and wine, except about three times as much. These antioxidants are thought to be helpful in reducing cholesterol and prevent high cholesterol from returning.
Good Source of Folic Acid: Pomegranates have 100% of the daily recommended allowance of folic acid, which has many health benefits.
Vitamin Rich: Rich in vitamins A, C and E, it is also a good source of potassium.
Reduced Risk of Cancer: Pomegranate juice was shown to reduce the spreading of prostate cancer but no conclusive studies have shown that it reduces cancer or prevents cancer. The antioxidants may be beneficial for this, however, as most of us know just about everything and anything can cause and prevent cancer depending on what studies you have read.
The bottom line on pomegranate juice: if you want to try it, by all means try it! It is likely not going to hurt you and certainly much better for you than a candy bar or box of cookies! Should you drink it daily or even more than once a day? Probably not, since moderation is key with just about everything. Drinking too much could lead not only to too much sugar intake, but also possibly cause digestive concerns as eating too much of any one thing may do in some people.
Have anything to say about the health benefits of pomegranate juice? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
