I was reading a newsletter from my local health food store and came upon a small article about pomegranate juice and osteoarthritis in the knees. In my family, osteoarthritis (OA) has hindered my mother, her mother, my two siblings and me. Of my three nephews, two in their forties are already experiencing aches.
In arthritis, destructive enzymes can irreversibly destroy cartilage, the protective elastic tissue between bones and joints. A lab study found that pomegranate juice reduced inflammation in the cartilage. Doctors wanted to test if pomegranate could improve physical function in knees with osteoarthritis. 38 people with OA of the knee took 6.5 ounces of pomegranate juice per day or had no treatment. After six weeks, scores on tests of physical function and stiffness for those taking pomegranate had improved by 18% while the scores of those who had no treatment declined 3.9%. Yes, it is not a huge study and more studies must be made, but I am happy to read the results. Antioxidants and an anti-inflammatory diet can make a difference.
Reference (Journal of The Science of Food & Agriculture, January 2016)
Besides OA, pomegranate juice has been found to improve health in many other ways. Pomegranate juice (240 mL/day) appears to be particularly useful in improving heart health. It’s remarkably rich in antioxidants, such as soluble polyphenols, tannins, and anthocyanins. Animal research has indicated that components of pomegranate juice can retard atherosclerosis, reduce plaque formation, and improve arterial health. A review of pomegranate research stated that consumption of pomegranate juice may help reduce systolic blood pressure by inhibiting an enzyme (serum angiotensin-converting enzyme) that causes vascular contraction. Pomegranate juice improved the lipid profiles (cholesterol) of people with diabetes. And clinical studies have shown that pomegranate juice also has anticancer properties. (Mind Body Green)
As I wrote before, The Ancient Fruit Pomegranate Has Super Food Benefits. High in antioxidants, potassium, vitamin C, low in calories, and a great source of fiber, pomegranates have been called a super food. It provides 40% of our daily requirement of vitamin C. “According to a 2008 study, which compared the potency of 10 different polyphenol-rich beverages, pomegranate juice scored top billing as the most healthful of them all. Its potency was found to be at least 20 percent greater than any of the other beverages tested, beating out Concord grape juice, acai, and blueberry juice.”
For your health, I suggest you buy or make pomegranate juice and drink it often if not daily. When it’s available, I stock up with bottles of Organic Antioxidant Force juice from Aldi. This organic blend of super food juices contains pomegranate (first ingredient), tart cherry (another fabulous anti-inflammatory juice), red grape, purple carrot, cranberry, and blueberry . Lots of antioxidants are in this tasty combination of fresh squeezed juices.
If you want to make pomegranate juice, Healthy Nibbles has instructions for making pomegranate juice from seeds.
Martha Stewart has a delicious recipe for Pomegranate-Citrus Juice.
If you are easily bored with drinking the same juice daily, I’ve found several other recipes to add some healthy pomegranate juice dishes to your diet.
Bon Appetit has a fabulous recipe for Lamb Shanks with Pomegranates and Walnuts.
Rachel Ray has a simple recipe for Pomegranate Sorbet. It’s a beautiful, tasty dessert!
Epicurious has an interesting recipe for Pomegranate Yogurt Ice Pops. The combination of creamy yogurt and sweet/sour pomegranate is wonderful.
I hope this information inspires you to drink more pomegranate juice and to explore its uses in the kitchen for the flavor and your health. Thanks for visiting.
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Hello Carol, I’d forgotten about Pomegranates – they’re so sweet and tasty. Thanks for these recipes. The sorbet sounds especially inviting! Cheers and hope you’re enjoying life :D)
Have a beautiful day!
That’s so great to know Carol. We have a rather large pomegranate bush growing in our garden and I just love the fruit. Now I have another reason to enjoy them. Thanks so much
It must be wonderful to grow them in your yard!
We use to have a pomegranate tree in Arizona. I miss it so much. I love them. Thanks for linking to the #homemattersparty
I could eat pomegranates or drink pomegranate juice every day! That sorbet is very tempting….
Thanks for visiting!
I do love pomegranate, thanks for sharing! #DreamTeam
I absolutely love pomegranates! Thanks for sharing this post, it was really interesting and has inspired me to go out and buy some pomegranate juice #happynowlinkup x
Enjoy!
I have a passion for pomegranate! We’d love for you to share this at our party the Creative Muster. Robin | Fluster Buster
Thanks for the invitation, Robin. I’d love to share it.
In recent years I have come to appreciate pomegranates. I enjoyed reading the information that you have gathered here–and the recipes! I am going to look for the juice you mentioned at Aldi.
It’s not always there but when you do find it, stock up! It’s delicious.
My husband has been complaining of knee pain lately. I wonder if it would help? Even if it doesn’t I think pomegranate sorbet sounds delicious
If he has cartilage problems, try MSM, Glucasamine, and/or Chondroitin. I take a combo of MSM & glucasimine. Many people find chondrotin helpful.
I love pomegranates. I would like to invite you to link up with us at Family Joy Blog Link Up Party. Check us out http://thinking-outside-the-pot.com/?p=3353
Thanks! I’ll come and share.
I love pomegranates! I’m going to look for some of that antioxidant force juice from Aldi!
It’s not there every time I go, so I suggest you stock up when you find it. Enjoy!
Love pomegranates! We had a tradition of putting them in our girls’ Christmas stockings when they were little! These recipes look fabulous!!
Thanks for visiting – hope you enjoy the recipes!
Thanks for sharing the information and recipes! We have 3 pomegranate trees on our property and end up with a wheel-barrel full each harvest! Thank you for sharing with us on the Art of Home-Making Mondays at Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth! 🙂
Wow! 3 trees and a barrel full of pomegranates. You are so lucky!
I love pomegranates and this was such an informational post! Thanks a lot for joining us at the Family Joy Blog Link up party! xoxo
Great information about pomegranates. I would love to try the sorbet recipe! Thanks for linking up at Together on Tuesdays 🙂
These recipes look yummy! Thanks for sharing at Together on Tuesdays.
Oh I love pomegranates!
I used to love pomegranate as a child but it’s something that I never really think of buying now. That Antioxidant Force juice looks delicious! I’ll look out for that in Aldi. Thanks for sharing with #DreamTeam x
I told my supermarket mgr he needs to order a lot more pomegranate foods and fruit. They are incredibly healthy and great tasting too!
Aren’t they tasty!
I really enjoyed reading this post, Carol. I knew pomegranates were good for us but I didn’t realise how good, nor how beneficial they were for arthritis. Thank you for sharing this post – and all the delicious recipe links – with us at Hearth and Soul. Sharing this post on the Hearth and Soul Facebook page! Hope to ‘see’ you at the party again this week.
Thanks for posting on Facebook April. Wishing you a wonderful week.