Turn back the clock on aging with THIS delicious fruit

(NaturalHealth365)  With their vibrant scarlet color and sweet-but-tart flavor, pomegranates have become an increasingly popular (and delicious) addition to salads, dressings, beverages, and desserts.  They are also a proven superfood, credited by researchers with the potential to prevent and help resolve many health problems.

A Swiss study shows that urolithin A, a molecule produced when pomegranate is digested, could hold the key to rejuvenating cell mitochondria and even prolonging the quality of your life.  In addition, a new review published in Molecules explores how pomegranate’s bioactive compounds, including urolithin A, can combat “inflammaging” – a chronic, low-grade inflammation associated with aging and many age-related diseases.  These findings highlight pomegranate’s potential to slow the aging process and improve overall health.

Let’s take a closer look at urolithin A and its amazing restorative potential.

Pomegranate triggers urolithin A to rejuvenate the powerhouse of our cells

Mitochondria are tiny structures inside cells with the all-important task of turning fuel into energy.  Over time, however, they can degrade and deteriorate.

In young, healthy cells, these aging and damaged mitochondria are swiftly broken down and eliminated.  This beneficial process, known as mitophagy, helps to ensure optimal cellular function.

Mitophagy becomes less efficient with age, causing malfunctioning mitochondria to accumulate in cells.  These mitochondrial debris deposits weaken muscle tissues and impair cellular health.  Researchers believe that these deposits can trigger degenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, as well as decreased mobility and frailty in elderly people.

This is where pomegranates come in…

The body produces a molecule called urolithin A upon digesting two polyphenols – punicalagins and ellagitannins – that exist naturally in pomegranates.  In many studies, this newly discovered molecule was shown to induce mitophagy and prevent the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria.

New study reveals stunning results, as we age

In a study published in Nature Medicine, researchers found that urolithin A maintained mitochondrial respiratory capacity and extended the lifespan of C. elegans – a short-lived worm commonly used in longevity studies – by a stunning 45 percent.

The research suggests that consuming pomegranate extracts can boost levels of urolithin A, enhancing mitochondrial function and improving muscle quality.

Researchers noted that this finding holds particular significance for elderly people.  By helping to enhance muscle function, urolithin A may help ward off the loss of mobility and general decline that can accompany weakened muscle tissue.

The team called urolithin A a “promising approach to improving mitochondrial and muscle function in the aging population ” and called for further research.

Pomegranate has a proven ability to combat heart disease and cancer

The above studies are not the only ones to reveal important health benefits from pomegranates – these tasty members of the berry family have impressed researchers with their ability to combat serious degenerative diseases.

In a review published in Advanced Biomedical Research, the authors noted that pomegranate could help prevent or treat a veritable laundry list of dangerous conditions that trigger potentially life-threatening diseases – including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, oxidative stress, high blood sugar, atherosclerosis, and inflammation.

Interestingly, in some cases, pomegranate extracts have been found to work in much the same way as pharmaceutical medications.  For instance, pomegranate extracts help suppress pro-inflammatory COX-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, much like anti-inflammatory drugs do.  When it comes to regulating blood pressure, pomegranate extracts seem to function like ACE inhibitors, a group of pharmaceutical hypotensive medications.

Studies have also shown that pomegranates reduce the incidence of tumors, reduce the number and size of cancerous stem cells, and induce apoptosis – or cancer cell death.  Pomegranate extracts are currently used to help people with a variety of cancers, including those of the prostate, breast, colon, lung, and skin.

Finally, pomegranate extracts have protective effects against neurodegenerative conditions.  Research has shown that they help prevent the accumulation of beta-amyloid, a protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Pomegranates possess over three times the antioxidant potential of red wine and green tea

Pomegranates owe much of their potent disease-fighting powers to their extraordinary antioxidant capabilities.

The juice of a single pomegranate contains more than 40 percent of the RDA of vitamin C – itself a potent antioxidant and immune system booster.  Pomegranates are also rich in beneficial amino acids, polyphenols, and anthocyanins, natural pigments that give the pulp an intense scarlet color.  These colorful flavonoids also contribute to pomegranate’s ability to scavenge free radicals and prevent oxidative damage in cells and tissues.

And, wait, there’s more good news about pomegranates: no side effects or adverse changes have been reported – even in a clinical study in which participants received 1,420 mg a day of pomegranate fruit extract.

However, the researchers noted that pomegranate could interact with certain prescription drugs.  Before supplementing with pomegranate extracts, consult a trusted holistic healthcare provider.

You can consume pomegranates in various beverages – such as juice or tea – or nibble the luscious seeds out of hand as a snack.  Pomegranate extracts are also available in the form of capsules and tablets.

By rejuvenating fragile, indispensable cell mitochondria, pomegranate can help combat the muscle weakness and frailty often associated with aging – leading to a stronger, longer quality of life.

Sources for this article include:

NIH.gov
Ibtimes.com
Lifeextension.com
NIH.gov

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