Pomegranate juice is made from the fruit of the
pomegranate
The pomegranate (''Punica granatum'') is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub in the family Lythraceae, subfamily Punica, Punicoideae, that grows between tall. Rich in symbolic and mythological associations in many cultures, it is thought to have o ...
. It is used in cooking both as a fresh juice and as a concentrated syrup.
Research
Various primary studies have been conducted into possible health benefits derived from drinking pomegranate juice, but there is no good evidence to suggest any effect in blood pressure management, glucose and insulin management, or heart disease.
Potential risks
Interactions with
prescription drug
A prescription drug (also prescription medication, prescription medicine or prescription-only medication) is a pharmaceutical drug that is permitted to be dispensed only to those with a medical prescription. In contrast, over-the-counter drugs c ...
s are possible.
Marketing and false advertising
Pomegranate juice was marketed by
POM Wonderful, a pomegranate products manufacturer. As of September 2010, the company and its principals were the subjects of a
false advertising
False advertising is the act of publishing, transmitting, distributing or otherwise publicly circulating an advertisement containing a false claim, or statement, made intentionally, or recklessly, to promote the sale of property, goods or servi ...
complaint by the
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is an independent agency of the United States government whose principal mission is the enforcement of civil (non-criminal) United States antitrust law, antitrust law and the promotion of consumer protection. It ...
(FTC).
In May 2012, after a hearing, the administrative law judge issued an opinion upholding certain false advertising allegations in the FTC's complaint—based on implied as opposed to express claims—and finding for POM Wonderful on other points.
, POM Wonderful's action in the U.S. District Court was pending consideration.
Pomegranate molasses
Pomegranate molasses is a
fruit syrup
Fruit syrups or fruit molasses are concentrated fruit juices used as sweeteners.
Fruit syrups have been used in many cuisines:
* in Arab cuisine, '' rub'', '' jallab'';
* in Ancient Greek cuisine, '' epsima'';
* in Greek cuisine, '' petimezi' ...
made from pomegranate juice, not
sugarcane
Sugarcane or sugar cane is a species of tall, Perennial plant, perennial grass (in the genus ''Saccharum'', tribe Andropogoneae) that is used for sugar Sugar industry, production. The plants are 2–6 m (6–20 ft) tall with stout, jointed, fib ...
-derived
molasses
Molasses () is a viscous byproduct, principally obtained from the refining of sugarcane or sugar beet juice into sugar. Molasses varies in the amount of sugar, the method of extraction, and the age of the plant. Sugarcane molasses is usuall ...
. It is a
reduction from the juice of a tart variety of pomegranate, evaporated to form a thick, dark red liquid. Pomegranate molasses is often used on top of meatloaf or meatballs to give them a shiny glaze and can be also be used for drizzling over rice pudding or oatmeal. It is used in Iranian
fesenjān, Turkish
pilafs and
shepherd's salad.
See also
*
*
Juicing
Juicing is the process of extracting juice from plant tissues such as fruit or vegetables.
Overview
There are many methods of juicing, from squeezing fruit by hand to wide-scale extraction with industrial equipment. Juicing is generally the ...
*
List of juices
This is a list of juices. Juice is a liquid that is naturally contained in fruit and vegetables. It can also refer to liquids that are flavored with these or other biological food sources such as meat and seafood. It is commonly consumed as a bever ...
References
Further reading
Articles
Pomegranate(National Institutes of Health - Produced by the National Library of Medicine)
* M. Viuda-Martos, J. Fernández-López, and J.A. Pérez-Álvarez (2010)
"Pomegranate"(Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety)
Books
* Levin, Gregory M. (2006). ''Pomegranate Roads: A Soviet Botanist's Exile from Eden''. Floreant Press.
* Seeram, N.P.; Schulman, R.N.; Heber, D. (eds.; 2006). ''Pomegranates: Ancient Roots to Modern Medicine''. CRC Press.
External links
*
{{Fruit juice
Arab cuisine
Fruit juice
Pomegranate drinks
Iranian drinks
Israeli drinks
Azerbaijani cuisine
Turkish condiments
Armenian drinks