Sip on these incredible health benefits.
Pomegranates are known for being delicious, healthy, and full of antioxidants. But anyone who loves pomegranate knows that it can also be a little difficult to eat.
To solve this problem while still getting all of the health benefits, you could try drinking 100% pomegranate juice! It's delicious enough to enjoy on its own, or as a mixer for your favorite cocktail.
Read on to learn more about the health benefits of drinking pomegranate juice, and for more, don't miss these Surprising Effects of Drinking Cranberry Juice, Says Science.
According to our dietitians, 100% pomegranate juice is quite possibly one of the best juices you can have for your heart.
"Pomegranates are a source of potassium, which is one nutrient that is important when supporting heart health. Data shows that increasing potassium intake may reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease," says Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, author of The First Time Mom's Pregnancy Cookbook and Fueling Male Fertility.
Not only can it help in providing important nutrients like potassium, but according to Rachel Fine, RDN and founder of To The Pointe Nutrition, "some research shows benefits of drinking pomegranate juice for improvements in blood pressure," which is an important factor when it comes to protecting your heart.
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"Pomegranate juice contains an antioxidant called anthocyanin, and consumption of this antioxidant is linked to a reduced risk of developing certain cancers," says Manaker.
In fact, pomegranate juice is so full of antioxidants that it has more than most other drinks on the market, according to UCLA researchers.
It's important to stay as hydrated as possible. While water is always the most crucial drink for hydration, having other hydrating, nutrient-dense beverages on hand can be helpful too.
"Pomegranate juice is a liquid, and as such, drinking it can help people meet their fluid needs. Especially during the hot months, this is a feature that many people can benefit from," says Manaker.
There's another potential outcome that can come from pomegranates having such a high antioxidant content—it may help fight against inflammation.
"Thanks to the polyphenol antioxidants, drinking pomegranate juice may help combat chronic inflammation," says Manaker. Recent research has shown that one of the ways these antioxidants can fight inflammation is by working with certain proteins involved in cell signaling, which can ultimately be protective against certain chronic diseases.
RELATED: 7 Vegetables That Reduce Inflammation and Slow Aging
One newer, lesser-known potential benefit of drinking pomegranate juice is that it may help with certain aspects of your memory as you age.
"More recent research shows that a glass of pomegranate juice might help to slow declines in visual memory among older adults, but did not show improvements in other markers of memory and cognition when compared to a placebo," says Fine.
Samantha Boesch
Samantha was born and raised in Orlando, Florida and now works as a writer in Brooklyn, NY. Read more about Samantha