The POMELLA® Story: Foundations of Pomegranate Research and Quality
When medical researchers at a prestigious US university were looking at various parts of the diet to find the best antioxidant candidates to promote cardiovascular health, healthy aging, and longevity, pomegranate was found to have the top activity in their models. So they set about to figure out what exactly was in pomegranate that makes it so active.
They found a group of potent antioxidants called punicalagins. Punicalagins are ellagitannin polyphenols that are among the most ferocious scavengers of free radicals, and also displayed some other interesting activities, such as potent modulation of inflammation and protective effects on DNA and cellular signaling. Punicalagins are unique because they are able to break apart, or hydrolyze, into ‘daughter’ polyphenols (such as ellagic acid) once in the bloodstream, and extensively metabolize and absorb into target tissues.
But there is a catch to pomegranate bioavailability. The researchers found that if punicalagins hydrolyze before they enter the bloodstream, their daughter molecules do not absorb; they need to be attached to the ‘parent’ polyphenol to be bioavailable.
And while punicalagins are the primary factor contributing to the high antioxidant potency of pomegranate juice, pure 100% pomegranate juice can be expensive and is not standardized to contain consistent amount of punicalagins. In fact, research has shown pomegranate juice can have more than 100% variability in polyphenol content, in addition to a high amount of sugar and calories.
When medical researchers at a prestigious US university were looking at various parts of the diet to find the best antioxidant candidates to promote cardiovascular health, healthy aging, and longevity, pomegranate was found to have the top activity in their models. So they set about to figure out what exactly was in pomegranate that makes it so active.
They found a group of potent antioxidants called punicalagins. Punicalagins are ellagitannin polyphenols that are among the most ferocious scavengers of free radicals, and also displayed some other interesting activities, such as potent modulation of inflammation and protective effects on DNA and cellular signaling. Punicalagins are unique because they are able to break apart, or hydrolyze, into ‘daughter’ polyphenols (such as ellagic acid) once in the bloodstream, and extensively metabolize and absorb into target tissues.
But there is a catch to pomegranate bioavailability. The researchers found that if punicalagins hydrolyze before they enter the bloodstream, their daughter molecules do not absorb; they need to be attached to the ‘parent’ polyphenol to be bioavailable.
And while punicalagins are the primary factor contributing to the high antioxidant potency of pomegranate juice, pure 100% pomegranate juice can be expensive and is not standardized to contain consistent amount of punicalagins. In fact, research has shown pomegranate juice can have more than 100% variability in polyphenol content, in addition to a high amount of sugar and calories.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult your healthcare practitioner before taking any medication or health supplements.
