A lot of products (coconut oil, anyone?) have been proposed as natural health miracles for those living with Alzheimer’s.
Pomegranates appear to be the real deal. There’s strong scientific evidence that pomegranates are good for you, for general health reasons. Now a new two-year study has specifically looked at the effect a compound from the exotic ruby-colored fruit can have on the brain with the onset of Alzheimer’s.
The chemical compound, called punicalagin, is able to slow some inflammation in brain cells.
As reported in Science Daily: “This inflammation leads to the destruction of more and more brain cells, making the condition of Alzheimer’s sufferers progressively worse.”
Dr. Olumayokun Olajide, of the University of Huddersfield, and his research team want to determine how much of the pomegranate compound one needs to make a noticeable difference.
According to Time magazine: “In 100% pomegrante juice products, the researchers estimate there’s about 3.4% punicalagin, and most of it is found in the skin.”
It will obviously take a while to design an efficient method to get enough from the fruit into a form that will be effective for Alzheimer’s patients.
Till the next slate of the good doctor’s research is published, drink your 100% pomegranate juice. It’s a start and it can’t hurt.
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