Wham: Sperm Quality Improvements Via Pomegranate Juice

Any couple that has been trying to have children should seriously consider having a bottle of fresh, 100% pomegranate juice in their refrigerator at all times. New studies are lining up to show that regular consumption of this juice may enhance the quality and mobility of sperm. Other research is showing that the juice can have a positive effect on erectile dysfunction, as well. While the newest work has been done on male rats, it is hoped that the success will hold true in humans.

These new results were published in Clinical Nutrition. In this work, seven weeks of pomegranate juice consumption caused increased spermatogenic cell density, epididymal sperm concentration, sperm motility and decreased abnormal sperm rates.

In the past, it has looked like most of the health-benefits of pomegranate have been linked to improved heart health, and claims that it may offer protection against prostate cancer, Alzheimer's, and may slow cartilage loss in arthritis. Most of these health advantages are due to the antioxidants, and particularly compounds like punicalagin.

Another pilot studey recently showed that pomegranate juice may help manage erectile dysfunction (from the International Journal of Impotence Research). Significant further research is necessary to investigate if such observations would be reproducible in humans, and the doses required to gain such improvements.

Consumption of pomegranate juice has been on the rise all over the world. Sales have grown in the last year because of media coverage of the antioxidant-rich fruit that has commonly been linked to improved heart health, as well as claims that pomegranate could protect against prostate cancer and, as reported above, slow cartilage loss in arthritis.

Dave