Pomegranate juice is often sold as a bottled drink, but it is also sold as a powder. As a powder, pomegranate juice can be added to foods as a flavoring agent, or it can be mixed with water and drunk. Pomegranate juice powder is made from dehydrated pomegranate juice, so it has much of the same nutritional content as the fresh fruit, although some nutrients may be lost during processing, namely vitamin C. However, the antioxidant content of pomegranate powder is similar to that of fresh pomegranate juice, although the powder takes longer to reach maximum effect according to a study in a 2008 issue of the "Journal of Medicinal Food."
Pomegranates are rich in polyphenols, namely ellagitannins, which are natural antioxidants. Ellagitannins in pomegranates are as effective in powder form as in juice form. Antioxidants protect the body from damage caused by free radicals and toxins. A 2010 issue of "Cancer Prevention Research" stated that ellagitannins from pomegranates demonstrated anti-cancer abilities by stopping the growth and proliferation of breast cancer tumors in an in vitro study.
The antioxidants in pomegranates also have good anti-inflammatory effects, which can help with reducing the symptoms in people with hypertension and heart disease. A 2011 publication of "Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice" included a review that found that regular consumption of fresh pomegranate juice reduced overall blood pressure levels, as well as reducing the risk of hardened arteries, contributing to overall heart health. However, researchers stated that larger study groups over the long term were needed to further support current research.
A 2012 publication of the "Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders" stated that pomegranate juice, consumed regularly, could help patients with Type 2 diabetes. The human study, conducted on 50 patients over six weeks, included a dietary supplement of 200 milliliters of fresh pomegranate juice per day. Scientists found that blood sugar levels were steadier, and overall cholesterol levels were lower in the study group when compared to the placebo group. Their conclusion was that pomegranate juice's antioxidant abilities may help with keeping fasting blood sugar levels steady, as well as improving overall blood lipid profiles for diabetics.
In a study published in a 2011 issue of the "Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism," researchers found that drinking fresh pomegranate juice may help with reducing overall body fat content in obese people. In a group of 20 obese adults, pomegranate juice consumption, along with a fasting state, led to no weight or fat gain, even though insulin sensitivity was not changed. This was significant compared to the control group participants, who exhibited significant weight and fat gains over the study period.
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