Ever since I was a child, the health benefits of fruits and juices have been widely promoted. At that time orange juice, with it’s high compliment of Vitamin C, was the most heralded fruit juice. Since then, research has established that other phytonutrients including citrus flavanones, anthocyanins and a variety of polyphenols might be even more important health promoting components of oranges than Vitamin C. It is now believed that citrus fruits can play a role in preventing a number of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, strokes, certain types of cancer and heart attacks.
Recently, other fruits and juices have taken the spotlight in terms of their health benefits. Pomegranate, mangosteen and cherry juice have all received a great deal of attention both in the lay and scientific press. Only time will tell whether these juices will enter the fruit juice hall of fame alongside orange juice, but with all the attention that they are receiving, it is worth taking a look at their purported benefits.
Pomegranate (Punica granatum) juice
Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is native to a region ranging from Iran to the Himalaya. It was later cultivated in the Mediterranean region and now grows commonly in the U.S. Pomegrante juice has been thought to have curative properties since ancient times. In addition to offering a rich source of folic acid and Vitamin C, the antioxidant level in pomegranate juice is higher than that found in other fruit juices, including blueberry, cranberry, orange, and even red wine.
“Test tube” research has demonstrated that pomegranate juice can block the effects of LDL (bad) cholesterol on certain cells that line the blood vessels. This stops one of the initial steps in the development of cholesterol plaques which can lead to blockages in arteries. Other researchers, working with laboratory animals, have shown that pomegranate juice significantly slows hardening of the arteries due to high cholesterol. Human research the effects of pomegranate juice and heart disease is limited. One study, however, demonstrated improved blood flow to the heart during exercise in subjects with established coronary heart disease after drinking pomegranate juice for 3 months (Am J Cardiol. 2005 Sep 15;96(6):810-4). Most researchers concur that beneficial effects of pomegranate juice on hardening of the arteries are likely largely due to its high antioxidant content.
Drinking pomegranate juice was also found to significantly decrease the rate of progression of prostate cancer in men who men who had undergone either surgery or chemotherapy for prostate cancer. In a study involving 48 men who had been treated for prostate cancer, but had evidence of persistent disease, serial PSA levels were performed to monitor for progression of their cancer. In those who drank 8 oz. of pomegranate juice daily it took almost three times as long for the PSA to double than it did before they starting drinking the juice. Whether this translates into an effective method of preventing the development of prostate cancer in the first place remains to be seen.
One seldom mentioned concern regarding pomegranate juice is its potential to interact with certain medications in a manner similar to that of grapefruit juice. Both grapefruit and pomegranate juice are known to inhibit an enzyme involved in drug metabolism known as cytochrome p450 3A (CYP3A). Blocking this enzyme can result in dangerously high blood levels of certain medications. These include HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, a common class of medications used to treat high cholesterol, several antidepressants and a class of drugs used in treating high blood pressure and heart disease known as calcium channel blockers.
Tart cherry juice
Tart cherry juice has recently received attention following the publication of a study demonstrating a reduction in exercise-related muscle damage. Tart cherries contain high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that has lead to speculation that cherry juice might help with symptoms associated with inflammatory conditions. In a very small study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, drinking cherry juice before and after exercise was reported to decrease symptoms of workout-related muscle pain and damage.
The study looked at 14 male college students who were given one of two drinks over a period of several days: tart cherry juice mixed with apple juice, or a cherry-flavored soft drink lacking cherry juice (placebo). Researchers compared their scores on various tests, including muscle strength, joint range of motion and muscle pain. After several daily bouts of exercise, those who drank the tart cherry juice had less loss of muscle strength, but muscle tenderness and range of motion were similar for the two drinks. A caveat to interpreting this study is that the researchers owned a small percentage of a company marketing a cherry juice preparation.
Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) Juice
The mangosteen fruit is borne from a tropical tree that grows primarily in Southeast Asian countries of Thailand, Burma and Vietnam. Mangosteens are the size of a small apple, purple colored, with a hard rind. The pulp, which is said to resemble a pineapple or peach in taste, is reputed to be a very delicious food, usually eaten fresh as dessert. Dried mangosteen has been used medically for centuries. Traditionally, it has been used to treat a number of conditions including diarrhea, eczema and urinary tract infections.
Mangosteen juice is marketed in the U.S. as XanGo. According to the XanGo website, this product is “a concentrated rush of xanthones — a vigorous family of next – generation phytonutrients”. The health benefits of mangosteen juice appear to derive from its high antioxidant value. It has been touted to “maintain intestinal health, strengthen the immune system, neutralize free radicals, help support cartilage and joint function, and promote a healthy seasonal respiratory system.” In regard to these claims, the manufacturers included as a footnote “These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”
PubMed, the US National Library of Medicine database of published research includes a number of citations related to the scientific study of the mangosteen fruit. Interestingly, mangosteen has shown potential benefits against a number of illnesses including Staph bacterial infections and certain cancers. It has apparently not been studied in human trials, however. Most of the research is of the “test tube” type or has been done using laboratory animals. While mangosteen juice is a powerful antioxidant and there does appear to be some anticancer potential, I doubt that this product will benefit all of the conditions that the manufacturer claims. A great deal of additional study, including use of human subjects will be necessary to establish its role in promoting health or treating disease
The bottom line with all of these juices is that they do appear to contain beneficial phytonutrients, polyphenols, vitamins and may even be amusing to the taste. With the exception of the concern regarding CYP3A inhibition and pomegranate juice, I have the ability to see no harm in consuming any of these, but to anticipate “miracle cures” might be asking too much.
Source : eDocAmerica
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