Pomegranate is now being hailed as the elixir of youth. Pomegranate has been well-known as a superfood for centuries and contains vitamins A, C and E as well as iron and antioxidants, these chemicals help counteract harmful molecules of oxygen known as free radicals.
Pomegranate juice can help prevent heart disease, relieve stress and has even been shown to improve your love-life. The daily dose of it could slow the ageing process of human DNA. In a study analysis the whole fruit, including pith, peel and seeds, was given to sixty participants daily for thirty days in the form of a capsule.
The activity of chemicals in the bodies of study participants was monitored and was compared with those who took a dummy capsule. The study showed a considerable diminution in a marker linked to cell damage, which may cause impaired functioning of brain, liver, kidney and muscle plus effects of ageing on the skin.
Up till now, this benefit of consuming pomegranate is unknown. Researchers from ProbelteBio laboratory in Murcia, Spain thought pomegranate slow down the oxidation, or rusting of the DNA in cells which naturally occurs over time. These chemicals are found in small quantities in the juice but mainly in the inedible rind, husk and white pith which has been harness into a pill and a drink.
According study leader Dr Sergio Streitenberger, they are very thrilled about the study which they believe exhibits that regular consumption of this pomegranate extract can slow down the process of DNA oxidation. One way to look at ageing is to think of it as rusting, or oxidizing, a damaging process. Being able to guard against this process would be a significant breakthrough
Dr Streitenberger’s team also found a diminution in levels of a chemical indicator called 8-Oxo-DG in urine examinations of the study participants. This chemical is associated with damage to DNA occurred due to a host of chemicals people drink, eat and breathe in.
source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news