Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Early research suggests that drinking pomegranate juice might help to keep the arteries in the neck (carotid arteries) clear of the build-up of fatty deposits.
Clogged arteries (coronary heart disease). Some early research shows that drinking pomegranate juice might improve blood flow to the heart. However, drinking pomegranate juice does not seem to prevent narrowing of blood vessels in the heart (stenosis). Also, there is not enough information to know if drinking pomegranate juice helps to prevent heart disease-related events such as heart attack.
Dental plaque. Early research suggests that rinsing with pomegranate extract mouthwash for one minute once or twice daily reduces dental plaque.
Erectile dysfunction. Early research shows that drinking pomegranate juice daily for 4 weeks does not improve erectile dysfunction in men.
Muscle soreness after exercising. Early research suggests that drinking pomegranate juice twice daily for 15 days reduces muscle soreness after exercising in the elbow but not the knee.
High cholesterol (hyperlipidemia). Some studies show that pomegranate juice can lower total cholesterol and “bad” (LDL) cholesterol. However, other studies find no benefit. Pomegranate seed oil, but not pomegranate juice, may improve triglycerides and “good” (HDL) cholesterol levels.
High blood pressure (hypertension). Some research shows that drinking 50-200 mL of pomegranate juice daily for up to one year can lower systolic blood pressure (the top number) by 5% to 21%. Also, some research shows that drinking this amount of pomegranate juice can reduce diastolic pressure (the lower number), although other research shows no benefit. Drinking more than 240 mL of pomegranate juice daily does not seem to reduce blood pressure.
Metabolic syndrome. Early research suggests that drinking pomegranate juice daily for one month improves blood vessel function in adolescents with metabolic syndrome.
Muscle strength. Early research suggests that taking a specific pomegranate extract (POMx) twice daily improves muscle strength recovery after exercise.
Obesity. Early research suggests that taking a specific combination product (Xanthigen) containing pomegranate seed oil and brown marine algae reduces body weight in obese women with liver disease.
Gum disease. There is some evidence that painting the gum with pomegranate fruit peel extract in combination with gotu kola extract might improve gum disease.
Prostate cancer. Early research suggests that drinking pomegranate juice daily for up to 2 years might slow the progress of prostate cancer.
Inflamed and sore mouth (stomatitis). Applying a gel containing pomegranate extract to the gums improves symptoms in people with fungal infections in the mouth.
Sunburn. Early research suggests that taking pomegranate extract by mouth daily for 4 weeks does not reduce sunburn.
Sexually transmitted disease called trichomoniasis. Early research suggests that taking pomegranate extract might clear up trichomoniasis infections in women.
