As well as scientifically validated anti-inflammatory properties and cancer-busting antioxidants, a recent study suggests that pomegranates could also have anti-aging actions capable of protecting muscles and boosting endurance.
The red fleshy seeds of the pomegranate, a fruit that originates from Asia, could have another health benefit to add to its superfruit status. According to researchers, a type of compound found in pomegranate could play an important role in strengthening muscle cells.
This protective and boosting effect has been linked to an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective component of pomegranate, leading to the production of urolithins. The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, explains how urolithins can slow the aging process by encouraging cells to repair and renew mitochondria, the parts of cells that convert food into energy.
These protective agents are produced by gut bacteria from polyphenols called ellagitannins, which are naturally present in pomegranates. Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that are found in many fruits and vegetables.
The scientists studied the effects of urolithins on rats and mice. They were found to improve muscle function in mice with no change in muscle mass, resulting in a 9% increase in grip strength.
What's more, the mice who received urolithins were found to spontaneously exercise 57% more than control mice, with increased running endurance of 42% for mice and 65% for rats.
The researchers attribute the boost in muscle function to improved mitochondrial renewal, eliminating damaged mitochondria and boosting production of new, healthy mitochondria.
Previous studies have shown that regularly eating pomegranate could have a protective effect against neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
Urolithins are considered a promising avenue of research for scientists working on ways of improving mitochondrial function and muscle function. They are currently the subject of clinical trials to evaluate their effectiveness in humans. The results are expected in 2017.
AFP RELAXNEWS
Thu Jul 28 2016
The scientists found that pomegranate could boost endurance by 42% to 65%. Olha_Afanasieva/Istock.com
Malaysia-Thailand tingkat kerjasama atasi jenayah
Malaysia dan Thailand setuju tingkat kerjasama untuk membanteras jenayah rentas sempadan.
#AWANI745
#AWANI745
MCMC lapor polis terhadap Papagomo, Che Gu Bard dan Salim Iskandar
MCMC menegaskan pihaknya melaksanakan tugas dan tanggungjawabnya berpandukan Akta Komunikasi dan Multimedia 1998, dan kesemua undang-undang subsidiari yang terkandung di dalamnya.
#AWANI745
#AWANI745
Kursus Perdana Haji peringkat Wilayah Persekutuan
Hari ini bermula Kursus Haji Perdana secara berperingkat yang dianjurkan oleh Lembaga Tabung Haji.
Ini adalah persediaan terakhir kepada bakal Haji Malaysia untuk mempersiapkan diri sebagai tetamu Allah di tanah suci nanti.
#AWANI745
Ini adalah persediaan terakhir kepada bakal Haji Malaysia untuk mempersiapkan diri sebagai tetamu Allah di tanah suci nanti.
#AWANI745
1.39 juta pelancong Malaysia ke Thailand
Thailand terima ketibaan 10.72 juta pelancong asing termasuk 1.39 juta dari Malaysia.
#AWANI745
#AWANI745
Delegasi Malaysia jalani latihan anti keganasan
Latihan ini bagi mempersiapkan peserta dalam mendepani segala kenungkinan dan provokasi yang mungkin berlaku semasa pelayaran menghantar bantuan ke Gaza berlangsung.
Syaff Shukri di Istanbul, Turki ada perinciannya.
#AWANI745
Syaff Shukri di Istanbul, Turki ada perinciannya.
#AWANI745
Bekas tokoh Bersih lancar Projek SAMA, tingkat akauntabiliti
Tujuh bekas BERSIH pada Sabtu melancarkan sebuah organisasi yang memperjuangkan reformasi institusi dikenali sebagai Projek SAMA.
#AWANI745
#AWANI745
[TERKINI] Dua polis bsi ditahan bantu siasatan kes pemerasan
Dua anggota polis yang berkhidmat di Bangunan Sultan Iskandar di Johor Bahru ditahan bagi membantu siasatan kes pemerasan membabitkan seorang lelaki tempatan yang bekerja di Singapura.
Laporan polis terhadap Chegubard, Salim Iskandar dan Papagomo atas tuduhan palsu - MCMC
MCMC memaklumkan laporan polis itu dibuat berdasarkan kandungan yang dimuat naik oleh ketiga-tiga individu berkenaan di media sosial pada 17 April lepas.
PRK Kuala Kubu Baharu: Parti komponen BN perlu bantu calon Kerajaan Perpaduan - Mohamad Hasan
Mohamad Hasan berkata ini kerana BN menghormati sistem yang diperakukan sebelum ini bahawa parti penyandang akan diberi keutamaan untuk meletakkan calon bertanding dalam PRK.
Percepat proses tapisan keselamatan ejen MM2H - Abdul Karim
Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya (MOTAC) diminta mempercepat proses tapisan keselamatan ejen program Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H).