by Andrea D. Hutchinson

Created on: September 22, 2008   Last Updated: September 28, 2008

The pomegranate is considered the fruit symbol of health, fertility and rebirth, in the cultures of it's place of origin. The powerful antioxidant properties is the source of this fruit's benefits. The juice of this healthy fruit is significantly higher than that of any other fruit juice, red wine, or green tea. Pomegranate juice contains high amounts of polyphenols, tannis and anthocyanins. Each a beneficial antioxidant.

The health benefits of pomegranate juice have been studied extensively since approximately 2005. Many of the studies come out of Israel, a native area of the Pomegranate. Most of the early studies were small at the time. In the last few years these studies have proven very promising. More extensive studies followed.

Pomegranate juice is a product of the pomegranate fruit. The pomegranate tree is native to Iran and the Himalayas, in Northern India. The pomegranate fruit has been cultivated throughout Mediterranean regions such as Asia, Africa and Europe. Many of the health benefit studies have been conducted in Israel, as stated above.

The pomegranate tree was introduced to California by Spanish settlers in the late 1760s. In America it continues to be grown for the healthy benefits of it's fruit in the dry climate regions of California and Arizona.

Pomegranate juice packs quite the antioxidant punch. With just a glass or two a day, one adequately boosts the body's ability to fight off illness and disease.

Antioxidants are those things that have been touted from doctors office to the Discovery Health channel in the last several years. Antioxidants are substances found in raw foods and supplement form that inhibit the oxidations promoted by "free radicals" within our bodies.

Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with an odd number of electrons that can form when oxygen interacts with certain molecules. Once formed these free radicals start chain reactions the cause damage when they react with the body's cells. Specifically DNA and or cell membranes. These cells function poorly and can dies after the damage cause by free radical. Free radicals have been identified as possible causes of aging, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and cancer.

Fortunately the antioxidants found in Pomegranate juice, safely interact with these free radicals. The interaction between the antioxidants in the pomegranate juice and the body's molecules stops the chain reaction of damage. The antioxidants protect our DNA and cells from the destruction the free radicals cause.

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