The New Research on Pomegranates: What You Need to Know

There’s no shortage of advice and tips when it comes to fighting cancer. Doctors and researchers have known for years about the benefits that come from eating healthy and getting enough exercise. But now, new research points to the power of pomegranates when it comes to lowering your cancer risk.

More in Your Diet

When it comes to cancer advice, it seems that more is better. Meaning you’ll want to add more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans to your diet. There are vitamins, nutrients, and phytochemicals found in these foods that have been shown to help lower cancer risks. It’s also important to include more colors. You’ll want to eat a “rainbow” of colors – yellows, greens, reds, blues, oranges, purples. The more colorful the foods on your plate, the more antioxidant power you’re consuming.
 
Antioxidants are a powerful tool in the cancer fight. Antioxidants work on free radicals in the body – they work to neutralize these highly unbalanced atoms that attack healthy cells. Examples of antioxidants include beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins C, E, and A, and other substances. They can be found in a variety of foods, but some of the best include:

• Leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale, and Brussels sprouts
• Broccoli
• Tomatoes
• Berries
• Red grapes
• Garlic
• Tea
• Carrots
• Soy
• Pomegranates

How Pomegranates Differ

New evidence also points to the fact that pomegranates may play a key role in preventing cancer, and not just because of their antioxidant powers. A recent study showed that an acid found in pomegranates appears to block aromatase, an enzyme that converts androgen to estrogen.  Estrogen plays a large role in the development of breast cancer. In fact, many women who have had breast cancer take prescription medications called aromatase inhibitors (AIs) to block estrogen from feeding tumors.

Researchers from the City of Hope Cancer Research and Treatment Center in Duarte, California found 10 compounds in pomegranates that may potentially prevent estrogen-related breast cancer.

While this is promising research in the prevention of breast cancer, Shiuan Chen, one of the researchers, was quick to point out that it is “not recommend(ed) people start taking this as a replacement for the AI's.  They (pomegranate compounds) are not as potent as the real drugs so we think that the interest probably is more on the prevention end rather than in a therapeutic purpose."

More Exercise

Although eating foods that are known to help prevent cancer is important, exercise plays an integral part in the fight against cancer, too. Being overweight or obese is one of the most preventable ways of developing cancer. Overweight or obese people, especially those with abdominal fat, increase their chances of developing cancer because of hormones that are secreted through the fat in their midsection.
 
Incorporating 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week is a good place to start. The 30 minutes can even be broken up to fit your schedule. Taking the stairs when possible, parking a little further away, walking to do your errands, doing push ups and sit ups during commercial breaks of your favorite TV shows – these are all good ways to start you on your exercise journey.