Pomegranate Compounds May Control Blood Sugar & Prevent Alzheimer’s

Pomegranate Juice Shows Positive Effects On Glucose Levels

Need an excuse to drink a tall glass of pomegranate juice? Researchers from Jordan University of Science and Technology found that daily consumption of pomegranate juice helped control blood sugar levels in type-2 diabetics. Just 1.5 ml of pomegranate juice per kilogram of body weight each day (that’s about 3.5 ounces for a 155 pound person) resulted in significant fasting glucose reductions and increased beta cell function in test subjects. Peak effects were observed three hours after consumption.

While results were consistent in both males and females, no effects were observed in healthy individuals without diabetes. Though the exact mechanism of action is unknown, scientists believe the effects are most likely a result of the pomegranate juice’s antioxidant compounds, including punicalagins. The research team is also planning to conduct several follow-up studies to look at the exact function of pomegranate on both blood sugar levels and hormones.

Fast Facts: No matter how much of whiz you are in the kitchen, nobody likes being handed the meticulous task of deseeding a pomegranate. It takes forever to free those little juicy gems called arils from their pulpy white encasing – until now. This method for deseeding a pomegranate involves nothing but cutting it in half and banging it with a wooden spoon, and it totally works.

Could Pomegranate Slow Alzheimer’s?

Remember those punicalagin compounds we were talking about earlier? Researchers at the Univeristy of Huddersfield found that they can do much more than prevent oxidation – they can inhibit inflammation in localized brain cells called micrologia as well. By interfering with NF-κB signaling (a proinflammatory signaling pathway), punicalagins are thought to prevent harmful cytokines from causing inflammation.

This is a big breakthrough for neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s, as high-dose pomegranate supplements may be able to stop or slow the onset of such crippling diseases.

Luckily, pomegranate season (usually September-January in North America) is just beginning, so you can enjoy the bold benefits of this tasty super fruit for months to come.