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Pomegranates are not fruits you’d commonly find on a fruit platter, but now there’s more reason to indulge in the tangy, red fruit. A recent study shows that pomegranates are more than just a delicious fruit — they might also act as a memory booster.
Researchers at Loma Linda University have found that drinking a glass of pomegranate juice every day could reduce one’s risk of Alzheimer’s.
The researchers studied mice that were genetically altered with a tendency to develop Alzheimer’s. Half the mice were fed one to two cups of pomegranate juice daily while the other half were fed with sugar syrup.
The mice were then put through a series of tests that required using visual clues to remember their way to a designated place.
Results of the experiment showed that the mice that were fed the juice outperformed the other group by 30 per cent.
The plaque or damaged cells in the brains of the mice was also reduced by as much as 50 per cent.
Co-author of the study Richard Hartman explained that pomegranates have a high content of polyphenols — or plant-based chemicals — that reduce the build-up of plaque and the destruction of brain cells.
According to nutritionist Louisa Zhang, pomegranates have a high level of vitamin A, C and E in addition to antioxidant properties. They could have other benefits too.
“A recent study involving 19 people has suggested that a daily glass of pomegranate juice could be effective in reducing the development of fatty deposits within the lining of one’s arteries. This could be due to the large amounts of antioxidants in the juice of the fruit,” she said.
A follow-up study has also been conducted to test whether drinking pomegranate juice helps to improve blood vessel function, reducing the hardening of arteries and improving heart health.
Ms Zhang said: “While waiting for more solid evidence and large scale clinical trials to be done, it is all right to take the juice in moderation.” - TODAY/ym
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