Pomegranate may not be the most popular fruit in the United States, but it is one of the healthiest, thanks to the powerful antioxidants it contains. Research has shown pomegranates and their juice can help improve heart health and depression symptoms, protect against osteoporosis, reduce inflammation, boost memory, fight bacterial and fungal infections, reduce cancer risk and more. According to a recent study published in the journal PLOS One, pomegranate juice also has serious benefits for newborns.
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In a double-blind study, researchers looked at 78 mothers from Barnes-Jewish Hospital obstetric clinic in St. Louis who had been diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) between 24 and 43 weeks gestation. IUGR is a condition in which a baby in the womb is measuring smaller than normal for its gestational age. Several different factors can cause the condition, including issue with the placenta. It’s estimated that 1 in 10 babies has IUGR. Some of the study participants received 8 ounces of pomegranate juice each day until delivery, while others received a placebo that matched the juice in taste and calories, but lacked polyphenols.
Researchers found that the newborns of the women who drank pomegranate juice each day until delivery showed evidence of better brain development and brain connectivity. The improvement is believed to be due to the polyphenols in the juice. Pomegranates are a particularly rich source of polyphenols, including tannic acid and ellagitannins, which are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and produce protective effects against neurodegenerative diseases.
Senior author of the study, Terrie Inder, explained, “We saw no difference in brain growth and baby growth, but we did see improvement in cabling network and brain development measured by synchronous blood flow and visual development of the brain.” He added, “Our study provides preliminary evidence suggesting potential protective effects for newborns exposed to pomegranate juice while in utero.”
The potent antioxidants and polyphenols in pomegranates give you even more of a reason to enjoy this fruit, make homemade juice and reap the many health benefits it has to offer.