The Powerful Health Benefits Of Pomegranates

May Boost Exercise Performance

Research indicates the high concentration of dietary nitrates in pomegranates may boost exercise performance. In 2014, researchers conducted a small study involving nineteen male and female athletes. During the experiment, each of the athletes consumed pomegranate juice or a placebo before performing three treadmill tests that involved exercising to the point of exhaustion. Arterial flow was measured before and after exercise with an ultrasound of the brachial artery. The results indicated the athletes who consumed pomegranate juice were able to exercise for a significantly longer period before reaching exhaustion as compared to the placebo group. Additionally, the athletes in the pomegranate group also had improved blood flow and an increased blood vessel diameter in comparison to those who received the placebo. A separate study published in 2015 found drinking a five hundred milliliter serving of pomegranate juice daily for fifteen days improved both endurance and aerobic performance in a small group of endurance athletes.