Pomogranate for Breast Cancer

Pomegranate benefits

There’s increasing interest in herbs that provide a natural way to regulate hormones and to prevent estrogen-based cancers. Rather than resulting in an oversupply of hormones, researchers are discovering that many plan-based hormones gently signal, the body’s responses while blocking the more carcinogenic forms of hormones such as estrogen. The Pusan National University in Korea decided to test out one of the most potent sources of plant estrogens: pomegranate (Punica granatum). Researchers there found that the fermented juice, seed oil and a water extract of the seed covering may help prevent Breast Cancer by inhibiting estrogen receptors in Breast Cancer cells. Pomegranate seed oil was particularly effective. Pomegranate’s estrogen-modifying action is thought to be caused by compounds called polygphenols, which inhibited estrogen activity 55 percent and cancerous lesions by 47 percent in mammary glands. These compounds also reduced oxidation by decreasing enzyme activity up to 79 percent. Plus, pomegranate fruit is a strong antioxidant that is also good for the heart. During a three-and-a-half month Israeli study, cholesterol dropped 29 percent in volunteers who drank pomegranate juice. It increased factors that protect against lipid oxidation 29 percent in only two weeks and greatly reduced the size of lesions associated with hardening of the arteries and produced less clumping of blood cells compared to a control group.

Sources: Kim, N.D., et al. “Chemopreventive and adjuvant therapeutic potential of pomegranate (Punica granatum) for human breast cancer.” Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 2002, 71(3): 203-217.
Aviram, M., et al. “Pomegranate juice consumption reduces oxidative stress, atherogenic modifications to LDL and platelet aggregation.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2000, 71(5): 1062-1076.
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