Pomegranate is one of several foods rich in polyphenols—plant compounds that act as antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties. Polyphenols help protect the body from oxidative stress and chronic disease. They may support heart and brain health and contribute to better blood sugar control. Some chronic diseases linked to oxidative stress include cancer, autoimmune diseases, and heart disease. Aging skin is also partly caused by oxidative stress.
Polyphenols work by supporting the microbiome, regulating inflammation, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting brain health. Through these processes, they help train the body to become more resilient.
Pomegranate polyphenols benefit metabolic health by stimulating the growth of Akkermansia muciniphila, a beneficial bacteria that lives in the gut. Akkermansia plays a vital role in gut health and gut barrier integrity. Higher levels of Akkermansia have been linked to lower levels of obesity and inflammation, and better blood glucose balance. This may be useful for those with chronic diseases such as cancer, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes.
This is why we now carry Pomegranate Extract by Life Extension in the office. All of us experience oxidative stress as part of living in a stressful world with exposure to environmental toxins. Our bodies can manage some of that stress, but we also benefit from support. Supplementing with pomegranate extract can make it easier to incorporate these beneficial compounds into our daily lives.