pomegranate
Meaning of pomegranate: Pomegranate is a fruit bearing shrub whose seeds and juice are eaten as food and studied for their antioxidant content.
Definition of pomegranate
Pomegranate is a fruit bearing shrub or small tree, botanically named Punica granatum, that produces a round fruit filled with numerous seeds surrounded by juicy, red arils. The fruit, its juice, and extracts made from it are consumed as food and are notable for containing polyphenols and other antioxidant compounds.
Pomegranate has a long history of use in traditional diets and folk remedies across many cultures, and its juice and extracts continue to be studied for possible effects related to this antioxidant content, though such research is separate from any established medical use as a treatment.
Pomegranate is available fresh, as juice, or in supplement form, and while it is a nutritious food source, claims about specific health benefits beyond ordinary nutrition are generally considered preliminary rather than established medical fact.
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Used in a sentence
The patient reported drinking pomegranate juice regularly as part of a general diet.
Good to know
Pomegranate juice can affect the same liver enzymes used to process certain medications, a property it shares with grapefruit juice and one reason it is sometimes mentioned when reviewing a person's diet alongside their medications.