Health Benefits and Side Effects of Pomegranate

Published: 7 Dec 2025

The pomegranate is often called “a symbol of life,” and honestly, it deserves the title. Bright, juicy, and bursting with tiny ruby-red seeds, this fruit doesn’t just look beautiful; it demands a closer look. From boosting your health to adding a vibrant touch to your meals, it is full of surprises. But let me tell you… it’s not all perfect.

I once had a funny “pomegranate moment.” Right before a family dinner, I tried opening one carefully, but the juice suddenly splashed all over the wall. My grandma laughed and said, “Never wear white when eating pomegranate!” Then she shared her smart tip: open it under water so the juice doesn’t fly everywhere.

Table of Content

Benefits of Pomegranate
Side Effects of Pomegranate
Nutritional Values of Pomegranate
1. The Functions of Nutrients: An Overview
Pomegranate Good For
Pomegranate Bad For
Best Time to Eat Pomegranate
Bad Time to Eat Pomegranate
Facts About Pomegranate
Myths About Pomegranate
Conclusion
FAQs

This fruit comes with both numerous health benefits and a few side effects. So before you grab another pomegranate, here’s everything you should know.

Benefits of Pomegranate

The list below highlights the advantages of pomegranate. Understanding these benefits is important because they can guide you toward small lifestyle changes that make a big difference for your health. For each benefit, you’ll also find practical tips.

Read on for in-depth information on each of its health benefits.

1. Supports Blood Circulation

Pomegranate raises nitric oxide levels in the blood, which helps open up blood vessels.

Improves oxygen supply in the blood
Makes blood flow easier through the arteries
Supports heart function

Tip: Add a handful of fresh pomegranate seeds to your breakfast or salad to naturally support healthy blood circulation.

2. Provides Antioxidants

It is high in antioxidants, natural compounds that help protect the body from harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Helps prevent cell damage
Slows the aging process
Strengthens the immune system

Tip: Eat about 1 cup of pomegranate seeds daily to give your body a healthy dose of antioxidants.

3. Improves Insulin Sensitivity

Pomegranate can help your body use insulin effectively. It also:

Keeps blood sugar levels balanced
Helps manage type 2 diabetes
May Help Prevent Weight Gain

Tip: If you are diabetic, opt for unsweetened pomegranate juice to help control blood sugar.

4. Slows Brain Aging

This superfruit can help keep your brain active and sharp while promoting overall brain health.

Reduces age-related memory loss
Keeps brain health strong as you age
Shields brain cells from damage

Tip: Add about ½ to 1 cup of pomegranate seeds to yogurt or oatmeal for a brain-boosting breakfast.

5. Enhances Skin Elasticity

Pomegranate can make your skin tight and healthy-looking, with these results:

Helps your body make more collagen (a skin-tightening protein)
Reduces fine lines on the face
Gives your skin a natural glow

Tip Drink a glass of pomegranate smoothie with its seeds daily for glowing skin.

6. Balances Hormones in Women

Pomegranate may help naturally balance hormones in women. Its nutrients can regulate estrogen and reduce hormonal fluctuations that cause discomfort.

Calms mood swings
Reduces periods cramps
Eases menopause symptoms

Tip: Eating pomegranate during your period may help relieve bloating and mood changes.

7. Reduces Joint Pain

This fruit may help relieve joint pain and swelling due to its natural anti-inflammatory properties.

Relieves joint stiffness
Reduces inflammation in joints
Makes daily joint movement easier, improving flexibility

Advice: Add pomegranate to your breakfast to help support joint health.

8. Increases Sex Desire (Libido)

Pomegranate is believed to help enhance libido by improving blood circulation, helping sperm health, and regulating hormones.

Contributes to healthy testosterone levels
Improves overall sexual stamina and energy
May help improve sperm quality

Tip: Enjoy pomegranate seeds or juice a few times a week to naturally support sexual health.

9. Fights Viruses Naturally

Regular consumption of pomegranate may help your body recover faster from infections and maintain good health.

Contains virus-fighting compounds
Strengthens the body’s natural defenses against illness
May help shorten the duration of infections

Tip: To boost your immunity during flu season, drink pomegranate juice daily.

10. Detoxifies the Liver

It may help mildly cleanse your liver by providing the following benefits:

Removes impurities
May enhance liver enzyme activity
Promotes healthy bile production

Tip: Eat pomegranate on an empty stomach in the morning to help your body’s daily cleansing process.

11. May Help Prevent Gallstones

By aiding fat breakdown, this fruit may help increase metabolism (how the body turns food into energy).

Prevents bile (the liver’s digestive fluid) from becoming too thick
Enhances gallbladder function
Helps reduce the risk of gallstone formation

Tip: Eating pomegranate seeds after a heavy meal can help with fat digestion.

12. Enhances Nutrient Absorption

Pomegranate helps increase the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from meals.

Improves gut function
Increases vitamin and mineral absorption
Keeps your stomach healthy

Advice: Mix pomegranate seeds with iron-rich foods to help boost iron absorption.

13. Lowers High Blood Pressure

Pomegranate may help in managing high blood pressure.

Prevents fat buildup and keeps blood vessels relaxed
Reduces the effect of high blood pressure on the heart
Helps prevent sudden spikes in blood pressure

Tip: Enjoy fresh pomegranate juice daily as part of a healthy diet to help maintain normal blood pressure, but consult your doctor if you take medication.

14. Increases Exercise Stamina

It gives you more energy to stay active and energized for longer.

Increases oxygen supply to muscles
Helps muscles work better
Reduces fatigue during or after exercise

Tip: Eat pomegranate or drink its juice before your walk, run, or gym session for an energy lift.

15. Good for Eye Health

Eating pomegranate may improve eyesight and maintain sharp vision.

Contains powerful antioxidants that protect eye cells
May help prevent common age-related vision problems
Supports eye hydration and tear production

Tip: Include pomegranate in your diet to help nourish your eyes.

16. Promotes Healthy Hair

It can make your hair stronger, shinier, and healthier from the roots. It is beneficial for:

Strengthening hair follicles
Reducing scalp dryness and dandruff
Aiding hair regrowth and preventing hair loss

Tip: Apply pomegranate oil to your scalp or eat the fruit daily for long, shiny hair.

Side Effects of Pomegranate

While pomegranates are highly nutritious, they can cause side effects if not eaten carefully. Understanding the disadvantages of pomegranate is just as important as knowing its benefits.

Here’s a detailed overview of its potential side effects to help you stay safe and informed.

1. May Drop BP too Low

Pomegranate can lower blood pressure, which may be risky for people who already have low BP.

May cause dizziness or fainting if blood pressure drops
Can worsen symptoms for those taking blood pressure medication
May lead to palpitations or an irregular heartbeat

Tip: Limit yourself to one glass of pomegranate juice a day if you have low BP.

2. Affects Cholesterol Drugs

It can interact with cholesterol-lowering medicines like statins.

May alter how these medicines work, reducing their effectiveness
This can lead to high cholesterol levels
Could increase the risk of side effects from cholesterol medications

Tip: Eat pomegranate with a balanced diet and do regular health check-ups to prevent any interference with cholesterol medicines.

3. Can Affect Blood Sugar

It can impact blood sugar levels in different ways.

Can sometimes raise blood sugar, which is risky for diabetics
In other cases, it may lower sugar, leading to hypoglycemia
Excessive fruit juice consumption may increase sugar levels

Tip: Prefer whole pomegranate seeds instead of juice to reduce the risk of sudden sugar spikes, specifically in diabetes.

4. Choking Risk for Kids

Parents should be careful, as pomegranate seeds can be a choking risk for younger children.

Kids may have difficulty chewing the seeds, which can get stuck in their throat
Always serve the fruit in a way that’s safe and easy to eat
You can cut the seeds into smaller pieces or give the fruit as juice

Tip: Always supervise young children while they eat pomegranate to ensure they chew it properly.

5. Sugar-Rich

This fruit has a lot of natural sugar, even though it’s a healthy one.

One medium pomegranate contains around 38 grams of sugar
Overeating can lead to weight gain or raise blood sugar
Drinking its juice adds even more sugar, especially if it’s sweetened

Tip: Eat in smaller portions or choose a fresh whole pomegranate. Always check the label if you buy packaged juice.

6. May Cause Bloating

Not everyone’s stomach digests pomegranate the same way.

This fruit has fiber and sugar that can cause acidity if you overeat
Can make you feel gassy or uncomfortable
Can lead to mild stomach cramps

Tip: If bloating occurs, eat it slowly or mix it with foods like yogurt.

7. Risky During Pregnancy

Overeating pomegranate during pregnancy may cause mild digestive discomfort in some women.

Can cause nausea or mild pain in the lower belly
Some compounds in it may affect digestion
May slightly lower blood pressure in some pregnant women

Tip: If you’re pregnant, enjoy pomegranate in moderate amounts and follow your doctor’s advice.

8. May Reduce Appetite

Eating pomegranate can suppress your hunger in some cases.

It is high in fiber, which increases stomach fullness
Eating a fiber-rich fruit can make you feel satisfied quickly
This may temporarily lower appetite, especially if eaten before a meal

Tip: Eat it as a snack between meals or pair it with other healthy, high-calorie foods, e.g., nuts or peanut butter.

9. May Trigger Diarrhea

Consuming large amounts of pomegranate or its juice may affect digestion and cause diarrhea.

The high amount of fiber and fructose in juice can upset the stomach
People with digestion issues are more likely to experience this
Consuming more than 1–2 glasses of its juice at once may also cause loose stools

Tip: If you get diarrhea after drinking juice, dilute it with water.

10. Increased Kidney Stone Risk

It may increase the risk of developing kidney stones for these reasons:

The oxalates in it can contribute to stone formation
Some nutrients in pomegranate can bind with calcium in the kidneys and may affect their function
People with a history of kidney stones may be more sensitive to certain compounds in it

Tip: If your kidneys are weak, eat a small amount, like half a cup of its seeds or juice, and drink plenty of water.

Nutritional Values of Pomegranate

Here’s a complete breakdown of what you get from just 100 g of pomegranate.

No.	Nutrient	Amount
1	Water	77%
2	Calories	83 kcal
3	Carbohydrates	18.7 g
4	Protein	1.7 g
5	Total Fat	1.2 g
6	Dietary Fiber	4 g
7	Vitamin B1	0.07 mg
8	Vitamin B2	0.05 mg
9	Vitamin B3	0.3 mg
10	Vitamin B5	0.2 mg
11	Vitamin B6	0.1 mg
12	Vitamin B9	38 µg
13	Vitamin A	~0 µg (mostly as beta-carotene)
14	Vitamin C	10.2 mg
15	Vitamin E	0.6 mg
16	Vitamin K	16.4 µg
17	Potassium	236 mg
18	Magnesium	12 mg
19	Calcium	10 mg
20	Phosphorus	36 mg
21	Iron	0.3 mg
22	Zinc	0.35 mg
23	Copper	0.1 mg
24	Manganese	0.1 mg
25	Selenium	~0.5 µg
26	Polyphenols	108 mg
27	Flavonoids	30 mg
28	Anthocyanins	27 mg
29	Punicalagins	90–100 mg

Note: I collect these nutritional facts from verified sources like the USDA FoodData Central, Nutrition Advance, Nutrivore, and MyFoodData.Values can differ slightly with fruit size and variety.

The Functions of Nutrients: An Overview

What happens to the food we eat? Each nutrient plays a unique role in keeping our bodies healthy and energized. Here’s a quick guide to the major nutrients and their functions.

Calories & Macronutrients

Calories: The energy source that powers you
Carbohydrates: Provide quick and lasting energy for your body and mind
Protein: Needed for building and repairing tissues
Fat: Essential for cell growth and energy
Dietary Fiber: Helps with digestion and keeps bowel movements regular

Vitamins

Vitamin B1: Essential for producing energy from nutrients
Vitamin B2: Takes part in energy production and cell function
Vitamin B3: Plays a vital role in metabolism and DNA repair
Vitamin B5: Needed for the body to function properly
Vitamin B6: Supports metabolism and brain development
Vitamin B9: Important for cell growth, especially during pregnancy
Vitamin C: Strengthens your immune system and keeps your skin healthy
Vitamin K: Helps with blood clotting and strong bones

Minerals

Potassium: Regulates fluid balance and muscle working
Phosphorus: Strengthens bones and teeth
Magnesium: Helps muscles and nerves function properly
Calcium: Keeps your bones strong
Iron: Vital for carrying oxygen in the blood
Copper: Aids in iron absorption and red blood cell production
Manganese: Good for bones and metabolism
Zinc: Enhances immunity and wound healing
Selenium: Helps prevent oxidative stress in the body

Phytonutrients & Antioxidants

Polyphenols: Antioxidants that help maintain cellular health
Flavonoids: Boost heart health and reduce inflammation
Anthocyanins: Give fruits their red/blue color and enhance cardiovascular and brain health
Punicalagins: found only in pomegranates, providing strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits

Pomegranate Good For

Let’s see who can benefit most from eating it:

People looking to manage high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
Those with a weak immune system who get sick easily.
People experiencing indigestion.
Pregnant women who need extra vitamins and minerals.
People dealing with acne or looking for clear, glowing skin.

Pomegranate Bad For

While healthy for most, some people should limit pomegranate. Here’s who they are:

Those on blood-thinning medication (e.g., warfarin, heparin).
People with fruit allergies or who experience skin reactions.
People with uncontrolled diabetes.
Individuals with low blood pressure, as pomegranate may lower it further.

Best Time to Eat Pomegranate

For the best results, it’s important to eat pomegranate at the right times of the day. Just know the right times below:

Morning (on an empty stomach): Eating in the morning helps clean out your digestive system.
Mid-morning snack (around 10–11 AM): Eat it at this time if you had an early breakfast. It will keep your energy high without causing a sharp rise in blood sugar.
Before a workout: Gives a quick dose of natural sugars and antioxidants if eaten before exercise, also boosts stamina, and reduces muscle fatigue.
Afternoon (between lunch and dinner): A light, refreshing snack that keeps you full and energized until dinner.

Bad Time to Eat Pomegranate

Certain times of the day or specific health conditions can make this fruit less beneficial. These are:

Late at night: It may cause bloating or disturb sleep because of its natural sugar content.
Immediately after a heavy meal: Can overload digestion and lead to indigestion or acid reflux.
Before surgery: Pomegranates may slightly thin the blood, increasing the risk of bleeding.
During a cough: It may increase mucus production in some people, which can worsen a cough.
Right after drinking milk: The combination of pomegranate and milk can cause gas or digestive discomfort in some people.

Facts About Pomegranate

Juicy, nutritious, and full of history, pomegranates are truly special. Discover these interesting facts!

A pomegranate contains between 600 and 1,400 seeds (arils), based on its size.
The word “pomegranate” means “apple with many seeds” in Latin.
Its juice contains more antioxidants than red wine, green tea, or blueberries.
One pomegranate can give you nearly 40% of your daily vitamin C needs.
This fruit is a symbol of life, fertility, and abundance in many cultures.
In Armenia and Iran, it is often used in wedding rituals and New Year celebrations.
In ancient times, it was seen as a symbol of royalty due to its crown-like top.
In ancient Egypt, it was buried with pharaohs as a symbol of prosperity in the afterlife.
In Spain, the city of Granada is named after the pomegranate, and the fruit appears on its coat of arms.
In some cultures, brides smash it at their new homes to ensure fertility and good luck.

Myths About Pomegranate

Uncover the most common myths and find out what’s actually true!

Myth #1: You can’t eat pomegranate seeds.

Reality: You can eat the seeds (called arils). They are rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Myth #2: Pomegranates cure all diseases.

Reality: They offer many health benefits but are not a miracle cure or replacement for medical treatment.

Myth #3: Drinking pomegranate juice is just as healthy as eating the whole fruit.

Reality: Juice is healthy but lacks fiber. Eating the whole fruit provides more nutrition.

Myth #4: You can tell a pomegranate’s ripeness only by its color.

Reality: Ripe pomegranates feel heavy and may have slight cracks or flat sides, not just a dark red color.

Myth #5: Pomegranates are always sweet.

Reality: Some are sweet, others tart. Taste depends on the type and ripeness.

Myth #6: Pomegranates increase body heat and should be avoided in summer.

Reality: They are cooling and hydrating, perfect for hot weather.

Myth #7: You can’t store pomegranates for long.

Reality: Whole fruits last for weeks in the fridge; seeds can be frozen for months.

Myth #8: Only fresh pomegranates have health benefits.

Reality: Dried seeds, frozen seeds, and 100% pure juice also provide many of the same benefits as fresh ones.

Conclusion

We all want to eat healthy, and pomegranates are one of the best fruits to eat. There are a few things to watch out for, but their benefits far outweigh the risks. Beyond their nutritional value, they add color and freshness to meals; you can eat them fresh, sprinkle the seeds on salads, blend them into smoothies, or use them in sauces and desserts.

Enjoy this superfood, but eat wisely and stay healthy! It’s all about making good food choices.

FAQs

Some of the main questions people asked about pomegranates, explained in a simple and clear way.

Can I eat pomegranate every day?

Yes, you can eat pomegranate every day but in moderation, which is about ½ to 1 cup. It has nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Just make sure you’re not eating too much if you have high blood sugar or allergies.

Can pomegranate help with weight loss?

Yes, pomegranate seeds or juice are low in calories and high in fiber, which can help reduce your appetite. It’s a healthy fruit to include if you’re trying to lose weight. Just remember, actual weight loss depends on your overall diet and activity level.

What’s the best way to open a pomegranate?

Remove the top, make small cuts on the sides, and open it in a bowl of water to prevent the juice from spilling. The seeds will sink while the peel floats. It’s a simple and easy method.

How much pomegranate is safe to eat daily?

One small pomegranate, or about ½ to 1 cup of seeds, is safe to eat each day. This gives you the nutrients without overloading on sugar or fiber. If drinking juice, stick to about ½ cup of unsweetened juice.

Are pomegranate supplements as effective as the real fruit?

Supplements may provide some benefits, but they don’t contain all the nutrients and fiber found in the fresh fruit. It’s always better to eat the whole fruit. Supplements can be an addition, not a replacement.

What makes pomegranates rich in antioxidants?

Pomegranates contain compounds called ellagitannins and anthocyanins that naturally act as antioxidants. These help protect your body from damage caused by free radicals, which may lower the risk of certain chronic diseases.

Can diabetics eat pomegranate?

Yes, but only in small amounts. Pomegranate contains natural sugars, fiber, and antioxidants, which can be beneficial for health. About ½ cup (75–100 grams) per day is generally safe for people with diabetes.