Pomegranate juice as a functional food: a comprehensive review of its polyphenols, therapeutic merits, and recent patents

Food Funct. 2020 Jul 1;11(7):5768-5781. doi: 10.1039/d0fo01251c. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Abstract

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is an ancient perennial plant species of the Punicaceae family and is regarded as the 'miracle fruit' for its seeds being consumed as food, juice and as a functional food. Significant modern pharmacological and clinical evidence has highlighted the wide medicinal applications of pomegranate fruit parts and its juice. Pomegranate juice (PJ) that is superior to other fruit juices is a fortified source of dietary polyphenols with potential antioxidant capacity. Polyphenols of PJ include tannins, anthocyanins, and flavonoids. The presence of these beneficial phytochemicals is directly linked to its favourable health benefits viz., obesity and diabetes management and anti-inflammatory effects. This comprehensive review capitalizes on PJ with emphasis on the interrelationship between its holistic chemical composition, metabolism and biological effects. Moreover, the review recapitulates on the diverse health benefits of PJ and related patents in the field of PJ production to ensure the best produced juice quality.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anthocyanins / pharmacology
  • Anthocyanins / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology
  • Flavonoids / therapeutic use
  • Fruit and Vegetable Juices
  • Functional Food*
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Patents as Topic*
  • Phytochemicals / pharmacology
  • Phytochemicals / therapeutic use*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Polyphenols / pharmacology
  • Polyphenols / therapeutic use*
  • Pomegranate / chemistry*
  • Seeds / chemistry*
  • Tannins / pharmacology
  • Tannins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anthocyanins
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Flavonoids
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Phytochemicals
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polyphenols
  • Tannins