Pomegranate fruit is rich in antioxidant tannins and flavonoids and has recently drawn the attention of many investigators to study its exceptional healing qualities.
The fruit of the tree Punica granatum, grown mainly in the Mediterranean region, has been shown to possess many medicinal properties such as being antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
The antioxidant activity of flavonoids obtained from pomegranate juice was observed to be close to that of green tea, and significantly higher than red wine.
Pomegranate for Prevention and Treatment of Cancer
Recent research has shown that pomegranate extracts selectively inhibit the growth of breast, prostate, colon, and lung cancer cells in culture.
In animal studies, oral consumption of pomegranate extract inhibited the growth of lung, skin, colon, and prostate tumors.
An initial phase II clinical trial of pomegranate juice in patients with prostate cancer reported significant prolongation of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time.
Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2989797
