Many people enjoy pomegranate for its sweet flavor and unique appearance, but this fruit is also packed with nutritional benefits, including valuable antioxidants. Pomegranates contain vitamin K and polyphenols, including tannins and anthocyanins, and some studies have shown a beneficial impact on arterial and heart health, says WebMD.Continue Reading
The juice of the pomegranate fruit, as well as extracts derived from its bark and roots, have been used in folk medicine for thousands of years, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Pomegranate is used in alternative and complementary medicine practices to treat heart problems, flu, erectile dysfunction, cancer, gum disease, diabetes and osteoarthritis, among other conditions, but there is no scientific evidence to suggest that it has a definitive impact on these or any other medical condition, states MedlinePlus.
Although many of the beneficial health claims associated with pomegranates have not been proven, the juice does have some potential for side effects in terms of drug interactions, according to WebMD. Because some research shows that drinking pomegranate juice daily may lower systolic blood pressure in some people, it's important for individuals taking prescription medications, especially medications that lower blood pressure, to discuss their use of pomegranate with a physician.Learn more about Nutritional Content