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Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a small fruit-bearing tree. The fruit is commonly eaten as a food and has also been used medicinally in various cultures.
Pomegranate contains chemicals that might have antioxidant effects. One pomegranate delivers almost 30 mg of vitamin C. Other chemicals in pomegranate juice might slow hardening of the arteries and possibly fight cancer cells.
People use pomegranate for high blood pressure, athletic performance, heart disease, diabetes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using pomegranate for COVID-19.
- Hypertension. Oral pomegranate juice seems to modestly reduce blood pressure.
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- Diabetes. Most oral pomegranate products do not seem to be beneficial for diabetes. It is unclear if pomegranate seed powder is beneficial.
Login for details - Hyperlipidemia. Oral pomegranate does not seem to be beneficial for hyperlipidemia.
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- Atherosclerosis. It is unclear if oral pomegranate juice is beneficial for preventing atherosclerosis.
Login for details - Athletic performance. It is unclear if oral pomegranate extract is beneficial for athletic performance.
Login for details - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is unclear if oral pomegranate juice is beneficial for COPD.
Login for details - Coronary heart disease (CHD). It is unclear if oral pomegranate juice is beneficial for patients with CHD.
Login for details - Dental plaque. It is unclear if rinsing the mouth with pomegranate extract is beneficial for reducing dental plaque.
Login for details - Erectile dysfunction (ED). It is unclear if oral pomegranate juice is beneficial for ED.
Login for details - Exercise-induced muscle soreness. It is unclear if oral pomegranate juice is beneficial for reducing exercise-induced muscle soreness.
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- Influenza. Login for details
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). It is unclear if oral pomegranate juice is beneficial for preventing brain injury in IUGR neonates.
Login for details - Kidney failure. It is unclear if oral pomegranate juice is beneficial for patients on hemodialysis; the available research is conflicting.
Login for details - Menopausal symptoms. It is unclear if oral pomegranate seed oil is beneficial for menopausal symptoms.
Login for details - Metabolic syndrome. It is unclear if oral pomegranate juice is beneficial for metabolic syndrome.
Login for details - Muscle strength. It is unclear if oral pomegranate juice is beneficial for increasing muscle strength.
Login for details - Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Oral pomegranate seed oil has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Obesity. It is unclear if oral pomegranate is beneficial for obesity. Most evidence suggests that it is not beneficial, although some studies have yielded conflicting findings.
Login for details - Oropharyngeal candidiasis. It is unclear if topical pomegranate peel extract is beneficial for oropharyngeal candidiasis.
Login for details - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It is unclear if oral pomegranate juice is beneficial for PCOS.
Login for details - Prostate cancer. It is unclear if oral pomegranate extract or juice is beneficial for prostate cancer.
Login for details - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is unclear if oral pomegranate extract is beneficial for RA.
Login for details - Stroke. Login for details
- Sunburn. It is unclear if oral pomegranate extract is beneficial for sunburn prevention.
Login for details - Trichomoniasis. It is unclear if oral pomegranate extract is beneficial for trichomoniasis.
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When taken by mouth: Pomegranate fruit and fruit juice are likely safe for most people. Most people don't experience side effects and it's been used safely for up to 3 years. Pomegranate fruit and seed extract are possibly safe. Some people have experienced allergic reactions, including itching, swelling, runny nose, and difficulty breathing.
The root, stem, and peel of pomegranate are possibly unsafe when used in large amounts. They contain poisonous chemicals.
When applied to the skin: Pomegranate extract is possibly safe. Some people might have allergic reactions.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Pomegranate fruit and fruit juice are possibly safe when used during pregnancy or when breast-feeding. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if other forms of pomegranate, such as pomegranate extract, are safe to use. Stay on the safe side and stick with pomegranate fruit or juice.Allergies to plants: People with plant allergies seem to be more likely to have an allergic reaction to pomegranate.
Surgery: Pomegranate might affect blood pressure. This might interfere with blood pressure control during and after surgery. Stop taking pomegranate at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Pomegranate might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking pomegranate along with some medications that are changed by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of your medication. Before taking pomegranate talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
There has been some concern that drinking pomegranate juice might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. However, scientific research shows that drinking pomegranate juice probably does not cause an important interaction with medications. Until more is known, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications changed by the liver include amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem), verapamil (Verelan, Calan, others), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase), alfentanil (Alfenta), fentanyl (Sublimaze), midazolam (Versed), ondansetron (Zofran), propranolol (Inderal), and many others.
Medications for high blood pressure (ACE inhibitors)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Pomegranate juice seems to decrease blood pressure. Taking pomegranate juice along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to be too low.
Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Pomegranate seems to decrease blood pressure. Taking pomegranate along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.
Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Rosuvastatin (Crestor) is broken down by the body in the liver. Drinking pomegranate juice might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down rosuvastatin (Crestor). This might increase the effects and side effects of rosuvastatin (Crestor).
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood pressure: Pomegranate might lower blood pressure. Taking it with other supplements that have the same effect might cause blood pressure to drop too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include andrographis, casein peptides, L-arginine, niacin, and stinging nettle.
There are no known interactions with foods.
Pomegranate juice has most often been used by adults in doses of 50-240 mL by mouth daily for up to 3 months. Pomegranate fruit extract has been used in doses of up to 3 grams by mouth daily for up to 18 months. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
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