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Pomegranate???

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/7/2008 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
My coworker borrowed this book from one of the physician's offices upstairs, and it was a sample encylopedia book of Food and it's Natural Causes (I may have the title wrong though) and it had examples, one food for each section, so naturally I jumped to the intestinal section. The food listed as beneficial for the intestines was Pomegranate. Here is a clip of what it said:

Pomegranate reduces intestinal inflammation and enriches the blood. Its use is particularly indicated in the following cases:

Intestinal disorders- The pomegranate is suitable in cases of infectious diarrhea caused by gastroenteritis or colitis because of its astringent and anti-inflammatory action on the digestive tract. It is also beneficial in cases of flatulence or intestinal cramps. Surprising results have been achieved in chronic cases such as ulcerative colitis or granulomatous colitis (Crohn’s Disease).

Excess stomach acid- because of its astringent action it reduces the production of gastric juice and reduces inflammation in an irritated stomach.

Iron deficiency anemia- The pomegranate contains a significant amount of copper, a trace element that facilitates the absorption of iron.

 

Preparation-

 

Natural- the pomegranate is among the most easily stored fruits after harvest. It ripens well off the tree with little effect on its nutritive properties. Pomegranates stored in a cool, dry place can last up to six months. If its anti-parasitic effect is undesired, the internal membranes that separate the sacs should be removed because of their bitter taste.

1)      Split the fruit in half.

2)      Tap the rind with the bottom of a spoon to release the sacs.

3)      Remove the membrane fragments that may have come out with the sacs. Add honey if desired and eat using a spoon.

Juice- Pomegranate juice is very refreshing and flavorful. It is easily extracted using a household juicer.

Grenadine- This syrup is made by cooking pomegranate juice with sugar. It may be stored for months. It is used as a beverage, diluted with water, or to flavor fruit salads.

 


I found this to be very interesting and it seems it would be worth a try to eat a pomegranate a day, or make a glass of juice in the mornings if it would be possible to naturally reduce the inflammation and excess acid.. I've never tried this fruit before so I have no idea if it is any good... Any opinions?

I just thought I would share with you all... I plan on going to the store in the next day or so anyway so I will pick one up and let you know how it is :)

Posted 5/7/2008 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
You can buy 100% pom juice, infact that's what it's called...it's a little pricy but worth it as it's very healthy...I drink it fairly regularly but unfortunately it really hasn't changed any symptoms for me, but we are all different, and you won't know until you try.

You might want to go for the juice rather than eating the fruit because of the seeds...some people have many issues with seeds.

:)
Posted 5/7/2008 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah that's mainly why I've stayed away from the fruit because I don't do too well with seeds. I'll definitely look for the pom juice though, thanks for the tip!
Posted 5/7/2008 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
I am no expert, but for some reason, I think this is like putting lemon juice on an open wound.....
I would think that this is very irritating.
Posted 5/7/2008 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
I drink POM juice all the time. I love it! It tastes wonderful... I had no idea that it was helping me, too - with both the UC and the anemia. Good to know! I find it to be a bit pricey, and I often talk myself out of buying it. Now, I can rationalize it!
Posted 5/7/2008 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
Do you drink it during a flare?
Posted 5/7/2008 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
I do and I'm always flaring to some degree and it's nothing like you think along the lines of lemon juice on an open wound.

:)
Posted 5/7/2008 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure, I suppose it would depend on the person. Like, I can't drink orange juice but there are some that can.

Here is some more info on the pomegranate that was in the book:

Properties and Indications:

The pomegranate is quite rich in vitamins C, E, and B6, containing as well significant amounts of B1, B2, and niacin. It does not contain betacarotene. The most abundant minerals are potassium, copper, and iron.
Among its non-nutritive components the following are worth noting:
- Tannins, in small amounts. These are much more prevalent in the rind of the fruit or in the membranes that separate the seed sacs. These tannins have an astringent and anti-inflammatory effect on the mucosa of the digestive tract.
- Citric acid and other organic acids which give the pomegranate its pleasant taste and a portion of its beneficial effect on the intestine (it contributes to the restoration of the intestinal bacterial flora).
- Anthocyanins: These reddish or bluish vegetable pigments belonging to the flavonoid group act as antiseptics and anti-inflammatory substances in the digestive tract and as potent antiocidants within the cells, halting the aging process and cancerous degeneration. It also has a diuretic effect.
- Pelletierine: This alkaloid is an effective vermifuge (expulses intestinal parasites) that is found primarily in the bark and roots of the tree/ The rind and the membranes also contain this alkaloid but not the seed sacs.
Posted 5/8/2008 5:05 AM (GMT 0)
Thing to remember too is pom is a natural nait-inflammatory and OJ isn't.

That's why pom juice likely won't cause too much if any issues compared to OJ.

:)
Posted 5/13/2008 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I'm just trying to find a blend that I like now... I went to the store the other day and was going to buy the POM juice, but I went with one (cheaper) called "Just Squeezed" Pomegranate juice and didn't like it at all. Then today at the gas station I noticed they had Arizona Pomegranate Green Tea, and it tasted alright but too much like green tea, which I don't like at all. So I'm just going to keep trying till I find one! I know not all juices are made equal... For example, cranberry juice. I've only found one brand that I LOVE, it tastes so great, and everything else I couldn't stand. So I'm sure there's one pomegranate juice that I'll love :)
Posted 5/13/2008 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
Yep - I drink POM during flares and while in remission.
Posted 5/13/2008 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah I think I'm going to try the POM kind. It looked like they had a lot of different flavors too.
Posted 5/13/2008 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
I like the POM and blueberry juice mix, its a little tart but thats the way I like my juice. plus I like blueberries really well.
Posted 5/13/2008 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't really tried it for UC since it's a little pricey.  I do like the taste, but the cost is a little high.

My motherinlaw made some fresh.  She's been giving it to fatherinlaw.  It has helped to lower is blood sugar.

Posted 5/14/2008 4:11 AM (GMT 0)
Actual pomegranates are strange fruits. I've only had one once. From what I remember, you eat the little seedlike things inside of it. It wasn't all that good. I've never had the juice, but it sounds good.
Posted 5/14/2008 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
I just bought some Tropicana Pure pomegranate & blueberry juice today, it's very good and MUCH cheaper than some of the other alternatives. Still pricey at $2.49 for a smaller bottle but compared to POM juice that is about $7 for the same size I believe, so it's not too bad.
Posted 5/14/2008 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Even as a kid and before I was diagnosed I ate pomegranates by putting the seeds in my mouth and biting off the jelly-like seed covering (the sweet purple part) and spitting the inner seed out. For those who want to try pomegranates but are afraid of the seeds this might work for you.
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