Pomegranate and Diabetes

     Diabetes is epidemic in the United States and increasingly around the world. In the first study of its kind consumption of pomegranate juice concentrate or a polyphenol extract from pomegranate was shown to decrease oxidative stress among diabetic patients by 35%. Numerous other diabetic measurements were also positively impacted by the pomegranate extracts including an improvement in HDL or good cholesterol. The pomegranate extracts had no significant impact upon blood sugars despite the fact that the concentrate was 10% sugar.

     The researchers concluded that these positive changes "could lead to retardation of atherosclerosis in diabetic patients." Heart disease is a major killer of diabetics so this information has immediate application.

     In a different study of young people with metabolic syndrome, a prediabetic condition, pomegranate juice significantly improved blood flow within 4 hours of consuming the juice. The researchers suggest that foods high in polyphenol content be recommended for obese individuals.

     In other studies pomegranate juice has been shown to lower blood pressure and to improve erectile dysfunction. It may even have a role in preventing or treating obesity.

     The NeoLife Tre product is a super concentrate of pomegranate polyphenols. Consuming one ounce of the juice is equivalent to consuming 20 ounces of whole pomegranate juice. The Tre is not limited to the benefits of pomegranate as it contains a wide variety of other polyphenols from foods like acai, green tea, resveratrol from grapes, and extracts of bilberry, blueberry, black currant and other foods.

References:

Rock W, Rosenblat M, et al, Consumption of wonderful variety pomegranate juice and extract by diabetic patients increases paraoxonase 1 association with high-density lipoprotein and stimulates its catalytic activities, J Agric Food Chem, 2008; 56(18): 8704-13. 

     Hashemi M, Poursafa P, et al,  Acute and long-term effects of grape and pomegranate juice consumption on vascular reactivity in paediatric metabolic syndrome, Cardiol Young, 2010; 20(1): 73-7.

 Khan, Fozia, et al., Obesity: The preventive role of the pomegranate, Nutrition, 2012; 28:595-604.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.