A study has revealed that a daily glass of pomegranate juice could reduce inflammation in the body - one of the most common causes of arthritis.
Rabbits were given pomegranate extract, equivalent to a 175ml glass of juice, by scientists from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
They then tested the level of activity of certain proteins known to trigger inflammation in rabbits’ blood, and found that the pomegranate extracts had inhibited the activity of many of the proteins - some by almost half.
Greater quantities of antioxidants, which can also reduce inflammation, were also found in the animals’ blood.
Published in the Journal of Inflammation, the study believed that pomegranate could have the same effect on humans.
If true, it could help scientists develop a new breed of anti-inflammatory drugs, avoiding the unpleasant side effects associated with such medicine, including nausea and bleeding in the stomach, said study leader Tariq Haqqi.
The researchers believe that the study indicates the UK’s 8 million arthritis sufferers could benefit from eating pomegranates or drinking their juice.
But Haqqi has said further research on how well the extract is absorbed into the blood stream is needed.
