Pomegranate juice may fight prostate cancer

Photo: Nick Vagnoni

Pomegranates are starting to hit the markets again, and with them comes new information suggesting that pomegranate juice may help fight prostate cancer.

Research at the University of Wisconsin showed that the juice of this Middle Eastern fruit stopped prostate cancer growth in laboratory cultures and in mice, although the exact reasons are still not known. Researchers suspect that the large quantities of antioxidants present in pomegranate juice are partly responsible. Pomegranates are high in polyphenolic compounds, the beneficial chemicals thought to make red wine good for your heart.

Researchers stressed that any practical use of pomegranate juice for fighting prostate cancer in humans was still far in the future and that research is ongoing.

While the juice is now widely available in grocery stores, the fruit itself isn’t difficult to juice by hand. Simply roll a pomegranate on a hard surface like you would before you juiced a lemon or a lime. Then puncture the fruit with a knife or skewer and squeeze into a glass. You may have to punch and squeeze in a few different places to get all the juice. Don’t expect a lot of juice. If anything, you’ll appreciate why the stuff is so expensive in the  store.

 

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