Short-term inflammation is a normal bodily response to infection and injury. However, when left untreated, chronic inflammation can become problematic, contributing to various conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Consuming pomegranates may help reduce chronic inflammation associated with these health risks. This benefit is largely attributed to compounds called punicalagins, which have demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in test-tube and animal studies. Additionally, some human studies suggest that drinking pomegranate juice can lower markers of inflammation in the body.