Pomegranates Join the Anticancer Diet Arsenal

Pomegranate Photo © Brett Moore

Phytochemicals In Pomegranates: Helpful for Breast Cancer?

Pomegranates are an ancient fruit that's making a comeback as a great anticancer food. Ellagitannins from pomegranates transform into ellagic acid during digestion. Since ellagic acid is a natural aromatase inhibitor, consuming pomegranates or using pomegranate extracts may slow down the growth of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer.

Research published in Cancer Prevention Research showed that, in lab tests, pomegranate extracts inhibit aromatase, an enzyme linked to the development of estrogen-responsive breast cancer. Aromatase helps your body produce estrogen, the hormone involved in 80% of all cases of breast cancer. When pomegranate ellagitannins suppress aromatase levels, breast cancer cells have a harder time dividing and multiplying.

You can enjoy pomegranates fresh as juice or use the beautiful red seeds in salads and meat dishes. Snack on dried pomegranate seeds, or use pomegranate molasses in salad dressings, as a glaze on fish, or in a meat marinade. If you find pomegranate juice too tart on its own, try a blend of pomegranate and blueberry or cranberry juice for a super-rich antioxidant delight. And if you're looking for a more elegant way to enjoy the benefits of pomegranate juice, make yourself a pomegranate martini.