Pomegranate extract, a powerful bactericide and antioxidant

The grenade (Punica granatum L.), originally from Persia, It is cultivated from India to California and Mexico. When we open it, we usually eat only its beautiful red grains and discard the shell and the white skin that separates them due to their bitter taste.

However, it is in the skin where most of its active components are concentrated: phenolic acids, flavonoids, hydrolyzable tannins as well as punicalagins, the most antioxidant molecules known. Hence, the consumption of the juice and extract (which include all parts of the fruit) is even more beneficial than that of fresh food.

Medicinal use of pomegranate

In addition to being an antioxidant, it has been proven that the pomegranate acts as a powerful bactericide against resistant hospital infections and reduces the DAS28 marker (Disease Activity Score), which measures pain and inflammation in 28 joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

This makes the extract highly recommended as an adjuvant in the prevention and treatment of the following pathologies:

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. By neutralizing free radicals and pro-inflammatory molecules, and inhibiting various enzymes, it reduces cartilage degradation and slows the progression of the disease.Degenerative diseases. Contains antitumor phytochemicals and cell protectors. In addition, it exerts a cytotoxic and antiproliferative effect on neoplastic cells and weakens the signals that favor their migration and, consequently, metastasis.Hypercholesterolemia. It inhibits the oxidation of LDL or “bad” cholesterol, but also of HDL or “good”, thereby increasing the ability of the latter to remove excess lipids from the arteries. Punicalagin, for its part, decreases the synthesis of triglycerides by 40%.infections. Fights both viral and bacterial infections. Some studies have shown its effectiveness together with vitamin C and some metals such as copper to combat MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a bacterium that mainly affects hospitalized patients and is highly resistant to antibiotics.Cardiovascular problems. Reduces lipid peroxidation and protects arterial walls.

How to take pomegranate extract

Pomegranate extract is made from the whole fruit. It is marketed in capsules of about 450 mg and the usual dose is 2 or 3 capsules a day before meals along with a large glass of water, although it can be increased if the doctor considers it appropriate. One capsule is equivalent to 100 ml of pomegranate juice.