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There’s nothing seedy about this delicious superfood.
In fact, getting through flu season may be a lot easier with a simple fruit found in the produce section of your local grocery store.
And while its antioxidant superiority has been something of an open secret since biblical times, scientists now believe that a compound in the fruit and its peel possesses antiviral properties that might be able to stop the influenza virus in its tracks, among other impressive qualities.
This year’s “super flu” hit the country hard — and New York City, in particular, has had its highest number of cases in a decade. Despite lower-than-usual vaccine efficacy this year, doctors say the shot is still everyone’s best chance against getting sick.
But if you’re looking for even more protection, it could be in the grocery aisle.
A study out of Iran tested the effect of punicalagin, a compound found in pomegranates, on in vitro cells. The researchers found that punicalagin actually disrupted the process by which the flu virus infects human cells, known as hemagglutination, or the clumping together of red blood cells.
The results indicated that “punicalagin was effective against influenza infection,” according to the authors of the study.
That’s not all it does: Another study published in 2017 showed it can protect against herpes as well.
Pomegranates have long been revered for their healing powers. Ancient Egyptians knew about their antibacterial benefits, using them to treat different infections. The fruit and the bark of pomegranate trees have also played an important role in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, used to treat diarrhea and dysentery.
Relatedly, more recent studies out of Thailand show that pomegranates may have beneficial effects against foodborne illnesses like E. coli, salmonella, vibrio and listeria, too.
Miraculously, pomegranate juice has also been found to protect against HIV-1.
Because of its prolific applications, “nearly every part of the pomegranate plant has been tested for antimicrobial activities, including the fruit juice, peel, arils, flowers and bark,” according to a 2013 study.
“There are various phytochemical compounds in pomegranate that have demonstrated antimicrobial activity,” but most studies have found that punicalagin has the highest activity, according to the same study.
The science specific to the flu, however, is still developing. The results from the study out of Iran are promising, though researchers are calling for more testing on in vivo human subjects, as opposed to in vitro cells.
Still, experts agree that pomegranate is a smart addition to your diet at any time of year. Shannon Haynes, RD, a registered dietitian with Hartford HealthCare at Backus Hospital, was quoted recently singing the praises of this storied fruit.
“Pomegranate is one of those fruits that does a lot of good for your body — heart, skin and digestion, to name just a few,” she said. “It’s packed with antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. And it tastes really good, too.”
To give your immune system a boost, she suggested adding pomegranate seeds to yogurts, smoothies, oatmeal, salads or even couscous or grain bowls. Pomegranate juice also has benefits, though she recommended drinking it in moderation because of the natural sugar content.
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