Pomegranate juice can help sufferers of erectile dysfunction

The numerous health benefits linked to pomegranates have been well-documented theyve been found to help combat everything from tumour formation and cardiovascular disease to inflammation and eye disorders. There are also claims that it can slow cartilage loss in arthritis patients.

There really does seem to be no end to their health-giving powers hardly surprising given the fact that theyre packed full of free-radical fighting antioxidants. Plus theyre also brimming with vitamins A, C, E and iron.

This is one of the rare occasions whereby it is more beneficial to drink the fruits juice or take it in supplement form rather than eating the fruit itself unless you plan on consuming the entire pomegranate rind and all that is! Thats because the skin contains beneficial polyphenols which have known cancer-fighting properties (J Nutr Biochem. 2004 Nov; 15 (11): 672-8).

Now the latest research findings have added yet another benefit to pomegranates ever-expanding list of health benefits.

Pomegranate juice offers hope to sufferers of erectile dysfunction

US researchers from The Male Clinic, Beverly Hills, and University of California, Los Angeles, have found that drinking a glass of pomegranate juice every day may help manage erectile dysfunction (ED) (International Journal of Impotence Research (Nature Publishing) Advance online publication 14 June 2007; doi: 10.1038/sj.ijir.3901570).

While most men experience erection difficulties once in a while, ED a condition that affects blood flow to the penis making it difficult to get or sustain an erection adequate for sexual intercourse is a chronic problem for a staggering 60 per cent of seventy year old men.

The disorder can severely undermine a mans confidence and can be caused by several factors, including arterial plaque, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, nerve damage, endocrine imbalance or depression.

47% of men experienced improvements in getting and sustaining an erection

The researchers assigned 61 male subjects suffering from mild to moderate erectile dysfunction to two 4-week intervention periods, separated by a two-week washout. Subjects were assigned to receive either daily pomegranate juice (POM Wonderful, 237ml, eight ounces), or a placebo beverage. Measures of erectile performance were obtained using International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Global Assessment Questionnaires (GAQ).

Mild ED is defined as the mildly decreased ability to get and keep an erection, while moderate ED is the moderately decreased ability to get and keep an erection. The majority of men with ED have moderate ED.

At the end of the randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover pilot study, forty-seven per cent of the subjects reported erection improvements after consuming the pomegranate juice, while only 32 per cent reported improvements during the placebo phase.

Commenting on the findings the researchers said: Subjects were more likely to have improved scores when pomegranate juice was consumed. Although overall statistical significance was not achieved, this pilot study suggests the possibility that larger cohorts and longer treatment periods may achieve statistical significance.

The researchers believe that the beneficial results might be due to the potent antioxidant content of pomegranate juice, which can prevent free radical molecules from disrupting proper circulatory function.

According to lead researcher Dr Harin Padma-Nathan, FACS, FRCS, Clinical Professor of Urology at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, These findings are very encouraging as they suggest there is a non-invasive, non-drug way to potentially alleviate this quality of life issue that affects so many men. For men with ED, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise. Drinking pomegranate juice daily could be an important addition to the diet in the management of this condition.

Pomegranates benefits for mens health dont end there

Pomegranate juice may benefit mens health in another way too, as research suggests that it helps prevent the progression of prostate cancer (J Nutr Biochem. 2004 Nov; 15 (11): 672-8). In fact US researchers from the University of California in Los Angeles, say the effect may be so large that it may help older men outlive the disease.
The UCLA team focused on 50 men who had undergone surgery or radiation treatment for prostate cancer - but had shown signs that the disease was rapidly returning.

The presence of prostate cancer cells is monitored by measuring levels of a chemical they produce called prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The researchers measured how long it took for PSA levels to double in individual patients a short doubling time indicates that the cancer is progressing quickly.

The average doubling time is about 15 months, but in patients who drank pomegranate juice this increased to an average of 54 months. Some men on the study continued to show suppressed PSA levels after more than three years, even though they were receiving no treatment apart from drinking pomegranate juice.

Theres no doubting the health benefits a daily dose of pure pomegranate juice can provide. However, if youre not keen on the taste you can take it in supplement form one reputable product is Pomegranate Extract Capsules by LEF. Take one capsule a day with or without food, or as otherwise recommended  by your healthcare practitioner.

Raising a glass to your good health!