Nutrition

ScienceDaily (July 1, 2005) - St. Louis, June 28, 2005 -- Expectant mothers at risk of premature birth may want to consider drinking pomegranate juice to help their babies resist brain injuries from low oxygen and reduced blood flow, a new mouse study from Washington University School of Medicine in St.

Pomegranate juice is remarkably rich in antioxidants, such as soluble polyphenols, tannins, and anthocyanins, which scavenge free radicals and help prevent DNA damage that can lead to a number of serious health conditions. It is also believed to have antiatherosclerotic properties, as studies in Israel have shown that the fruit juice, taken daily, prevented the thickening of arteries and slowed down cholesterol oxidation by almost half (Clin Nutr. 2004 Jun;23(3):423-33).

Pomegranate fruit extracts have been shown to block enzymes that contribute to cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis, a condition that currently has little perspective for treatment. The findings, although still at a preliminary stage not yet proven in humans, are likely to encourage further consumption of pomegranate juice in the UK, where sales have rocketed in the last year thanks to media coverage of its antioxidant content.

Ginger--an herbal medicinal product with broad anti-inflammatory actions. Grzanna R, Lindmark L, Frondoza CG. J Med Food. 2005 Summer;8(2):125-32. Review. PMID: 16117603 doi:10.1089/jmf.2005.8.125

Controlling inflammation: a fat chance? Flower RJ, Perretti M. J Exp Med. 2005 Mar 7;201(5):671-4. Review. PMID: 15753201 doi:10.1084/jem.20050222