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U.S. Department of Health & Human Services / National Institutes of Health
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Background
- The pomegranate fruit grows on small trees that are native to Iran and northern India and cultivated around the world. Ancient writings described pomegranate as a sacred fruit that provided fertility, abundance, and luck.
- Pomegranate products including juice and extract have been promoted for prevention or treatment of a variety of health conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
What Have We Learned?
- The pomegranate fruit contains substances with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. However, the limited research done so far has not shown benefits of pomegranate in preventing or treating health problems.
What Do We Know About Safety?
- Pomegranate juice is safe, and pomegranate extract may also be safe. However, pomegranate root, stem, and peel contain substances that may have harmful effects if consumed in large amounts.
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