Harnessing the power of the pomegranate

The pomegranate is known for its health benefits — it is rich in antioxidants, has anti-hypertensive properties and can help reduce levels of glucose in the blood. It is, however, a seasonal fruit which is difficult to source year round.

To better harness its benefits, a Mexican researcher has designed a microencapsulation process for pomegranate juice, which retains the natural properties of the fruit.

The method consists of converting natural pomegranate juice in small dust particles that can be dissolved in water. The formula helps to preserve the product and allows the antioxidants to reach the digestive tract.

Researcher Betanzos Cabrera said the idea came to him after observing that people do not consume the pomegranate because of the effort involved in peeling the fruit.

The researcher claims that the microcapsules actually aid in the better adsorption of the antioxidants, since the capsules are gradually broken in the digestive tract, whereas the natural juice can lose effectiveness because of the pH of the stomach.

Cabrera and his team showed in laboratory tests that the pomegranate, and in particular the microencapsulated presentation, is antidiabetic by reducing the levels of sugar in the blood, which means it can be used in the treatment of this condition. It also reduces some of the signs of metabolic syndrome as the index of circumference, high blood pressure and triglyceride levels.

The team is still working on the proper way to administer it. “We analyse what is best: making a tea, tablets, capsules or powders that can be added to the water. We hope to get the patent later this year and start marketing it in 2016,” said Cabrera.