Pomegranate juice recently made a splash when researchers found that it may help stop the growth of prostate cancer cells. Despite multiple studies on the effects of the juice on prostate cancer, results are still preliminary. While there haven't been long-term studies with humans that prove that pomegranate juice prevents cancer or reduces the risk, adding it to your diet certainly can't hurt. The health benefits of pomegranates are innumerable and what makes them special is that apart from being healthy, pomegranates are delicious too. Pomegranates have anti-oxidant, anti-viral and anti-tumor properties and are said to be a good source of vitamins, especially vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E, as well as folic acid. This amazing fruit consists of three times as many antioxidants as both wine or green tea.
Heart disease
Pomegranate reduced heart disease risk factors not only in lab tests, but also in preliminary human trials. A 2004 study published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that by taking the equivalent of a cup of pomegranate juice daily for one year, patients who had severe carotid artery stenosis reduced arterial plaque by 35 percent, reduced bad cholesterol by 20 percent, reduced cholesterol oxidation by 90 percent, and reduced blood pressure in just two weeks.
Prostate cancer:
Preliminary research has found that after treatment for prostate cancer, the length of time it took for PSA (prostate-specific antigen) to double was significantly longer in men who drank 1 cup of pomegranate juice (POM Wonderful) daily for up to two years. (Studies have shown that a rapid PSA doubling time may signal a quickly growing cancer.) But this finding is based on a very small number of people. It's too soon to say drinking pomegranate juice treats prostate cancer.
Breast Cancer
Pomegranate May Also be Useful against Breast Cancer. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. Pomegranate extract has been shown to inhibit reproduction of breast cancer cells, and may even kill some of them. However, this is currently limited to laboratory studies. More research is needed.Pomegranates contain high levels of antioxidants called flavonoids. These flavonoids are known to be effective in counteracting various cancer radials. People that face a high risk of prostate and breast cancer should start drinking pomegranate juice, as it will help them to reduce the risk of developing cancer. Regular consumption of pomegranates can reduce the PSA levels in the body and aid in the fight against existing cancer cells in the body.
Skin tumors
Skin tumors were initiated in 5-wk-old, female, CD-1 mice with an initial topical application of DMBA followed by biweekly promotion using 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). The effect of skin application of PFE on TPA-induced skin tumor promotion in DMBA-initiated CD-1 mouse was also investigated. In TPA-treated group, 100% of the mice developed tumors at 16 week on test; whereas at this time in the PFE-treated group, only 30% of mice exhibited tumors. Skin application of PFE prior to TPA application also resulted in a significant delay in latency period from 9 to 14 week and afforded protection when tumor data were considered in terms of tumor incidence and tumor multiplicity. These observations provide clear evidence that PFE possesses anti-skin-tumor-promoting effects in CD-1 mouse by inhibiting conventional as well as novel biomarkers of TPA-induced tumor promotion. Protective effects of pomegranate fruit extract against UVA- and UVB-induced damage were studied in SKU-1064 human skin fibroblast cells. Pomegranate extract in a range from 5 to 60 mg/l, was effective at protecting human skin fibroblasts from cell death following UV exposure, which were attributed to a reduced activation of the proinflammatory transcription factor,downregulation of proapoptotic caspase-3, and an increased G0/G1 phase associated with DNA repair. However, higher polyphenolic concentrations (500–10,000 mg/l) were needed to achieve a significant reduction in UV-induced reactive oxygen species levels and increased intracellular antioxidant capacity.