Diet Debate

Hi folks,

We do not recommend a diet centered on any one food. But we do include some foods most days. This would be one of those foods.

This is lifted from a Dr. Fuhrman email:

The seeds and juice of the pomegranate possess potent antioxidant and anticancer properties. Recent research has shown that pomegranates inhibit breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer and leukemia and prevent vascular changes that promote tumor growth in lab animals.1 The potent antioxidative compounds in pomegranates have been shown to reverse atherosclerosis and reduce excessive blood clotting and platelet clumping, factors that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.2 Pomegranates can naturally lower blood pressure.3 When heart patients with severe carotid artery blockages were given a daily dose of less than an ounce of pomegranate juice for a year, their blood pressure decreased by over 20 percent and they had a 30 percent reduction in atherosclerotic plaque.4 Pomegranates also reduce tissue damage in those with kidney problems, reduce the incidence of kidney infections and prevent serious infections.5

References

1. Kim Nd, Mehta R, Yu W, et al. Chemopreventive and adjuvant therapeutic potential of pomegranate (Punica granatum) for human breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2002; 71(3): 203-17. Kohno H, Suzuki R, Yasui Y, et al. Pomegranate seed oil rich in conjugated linolenic acid suppresses chemically induced colon carcinogenesis in rats. Cancer Sci 2004; 95(6): 481-86. Toi M, Bando H, Ramachandran C, et al. Preliminary studies on the anti-angiogenic potential of pomegranate fractions in vitro and in vivo. Angiogen 2003; 6(2): 121-28. Kawaii S, Lansky EP. Differentiation-promoting activity of pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruit extracts in HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells. J Med Food 2004; 7(1): 13-18

2. Aviram M. Dornfeld L, Rosenblat M, et al. Pomegranate juice consumption reduces oxidative stress, atherogenic modifications to LDL, and platelet affregation: studies in humans and in atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Am J Clin Nutr 2000; 71(5): 1062-76.

3. Aviram M. Dornfeld L. Pomegranate juice consumption inhibits serum angiotensin coveting enzyme activity and reduces systolic blood pressure. Atheroscl 2001; 158(1): 195-8

4. Aviram M, Rosenblat M, Gaitini D, et al. Pomegranate juice consumption for 3 years by patients with carotid artery stenosis reduces common carotid intima-media thickness, blood pressure, and LDL oxidation. Clin Nutr 2004; 23(3): 423-33.

5/ American Society of Nephrology (2010, Nov 19). Pomegranate juice reduces damage to tissues, inflammation and infections, study suggests. Science Daily. Retrieved Mar 12, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101119083126.htm .