Pomegranate found to have potent anti-obesity properties

Research shows that pomegranate contains powerful anti-obesity properties. A study, which was published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, examined the effect of pomegranate extract on plasma inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, as well as serum metabolic profiles, in overweight and obese individuals.

• For the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, a team of researchers from Iran and Australia recruited 48 obese and overweight individuals.
• They gave the participants either 1000 milligrams (mg) of pomegranate extract or a placebo for 30 days.
• They measured the anthropometric parameters, dietary intake, plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6, and hyper sensitive-C reactive protein, as well as levels of serum lipids, glucose, and insulin at the beginning and end of the intervention period.
• The results showed that taking pomegranate extract for 30 days led to a significant reduction in serum glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
• The supplementation also reduced plasma MDA, IL-6, and hyper sensitive-C reactive protein.
• The levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol also increased after the pomegranate treatment.
• Based on the findings of the study, the researchers concluded that supplementation with pomegranate extract may help reduce complications related to obesity.

To read more studies on superfoods like pomegranate, visit Superfoods.news.

Journal Reference:

Hosseini B, Saedisomeolia A, Wood LG, Yaseri M, Tavasoli S. EFFECTS OF POMEGRANATE EXTRACT SUPPLEMENTATION ON INFLAMMATION IN OVERWEIGHT AND OBESE INDIVIDUALS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. February 2016; 22: 44-50. DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.12.003