Pomegranates : Effective Testosterone Booster?
It may not be the first fruit you would choose to eat, but did you know that Pomegranates have some amazing health benefits and healing properties?
Packed with essential antioxidants, they contain no less than 3 times the amount of antioxidants counted in a more recognisable and popular superfood – blueberries.
In the ORAC chart ( Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) the official measure of antioxidant capability it scores an incredible 10,500 compared to around 3,500 for blueberries.
Pomegranates contain two very unique antioxidants, the first called Punicalagins which is found in the skin of the fruit and Punicic Acid, which is found in the seeds.
With both parts of the fruit containing these powerful antioxidants, experts tell us that it far more beneficial to eat the fruit as opposed to just drinking the juice – however delicious because you are missing out on some of the health benefits.
How Do Pomegranates Boost Testosterone?
They work in a number of ways, this will be covered further down in this article, but to summarise:
They –
- Boost nitric oxide levels
- Reduce oxidative stress in the testes
- Lowers Blood Pressure
- Improves Good (HDL) Cholesterol
- Reduces Bad (LDL) Cholesterol
Landmark Study
Its one thing for me to write and simply tell you what a fruit or other foodstuff can do for your health, but to read actual clinical evidence is another matter – even better if the study in question is one that was carried out on human test subjects.
Researchers at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh Scotland followed 60 volunteers (men and women) aged between 21 an 64 years old.
Over a period of two weeks they each drank a glass of pomegranate juice per day.
After the 2 week period was up, it was discovered that all test subjects increased their testosterone levels by between 16-30% The men on average enjoyed an increase of 24%.
Now drinking just juice meant that they missed out on the nutrients found in the skin, imagine what the gains in testosterone would have been had they been eating the whole fruit and not just the juice.
Pomegranates, Nitric Oxide and Stress
Pomegranate is a rich source of dietary nitrates, these are proven to help boost the production of nitric oxide in the blood which boosts blood flow and athletic performance.
Getting scientific for one minute, eating pomegranates helps to increase eNOS ( endothelial nitric oxide synthase) which is the process of producing nitric oxide from the amino acid L-arginine.
The fact that the fruit is also packed with powerful antioxidants helps to enhance this action as the nitric oxide being produced is protected from oxidative stress caused by every day toxins called free radicals.
Nitric oxide help to dilate and relax blood vessels, this ensures that a greater flow of blood and the essential nutrients and oxygen carried within are delivered to the muscles, helping to boost muscle synthesis and therefore deliver gains in muscle mass, strength and energy.
Another benefit which will help men who are suffering with reduced libido or erection problems is that this blood flow boosting property found in pomegranates will help support health erections and improve longevity and sexual performance.
Its effects in this department are so well documented that Pomegranate has the unofficial nickname of ‘natural viagra’ It provides viagra type results without the risks of side effects that have been linked to the prescription drug.
Blood Pressure
Another proven benefit of increased nitric oxide and better blood flow is the reduction of blood pressure.
One study followed 30 patients with middle to high blood pressure who were given a dose of nitric oxide in the form of a lozenge.
Their blood pressure was checked after 20 minutes and then again at 60 minutes.
It was discovered that at 20 minutes, both their systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings had decrease significantly.
After an hour it was checked again and was found to be decreasing even further until it reached a healthy range of readings.
Another human study showed that drinking pomegranate juice reduced overall blood pressure results by 12%
It has been clinically proven that keeping blood pressure within healthy range is paramount for maximising your testosterone production
Cholesterol
Our body contain two forms of cholesterol – LDL (low density lipoproteins) aka bad cholesterol and HDH (High Density lipoproteins) aka good cholesterol.
In order to maintain good cardiac health, and boost testosterone production (which is a by-product of cholesterol) you need to maximise your levels of HDL and keep LDL at a minimum.
Pomegranate has been well documented in a number of medical studies to lower LDL, and boost HDL production.
Pomegranate – My Conclusion
Eating pomegranate in any form is a fantastic and natural way to boost health, performance and testosterone production. They also have great antioxidant benefits which reduce oxidative stress and help ensure good general well being.
Their ability to help men with erection problems is another key benefit, especially to men with low testosterone and is certainly a more safer and natural alternative to viagra.
Best results are from eating the entire fruit, but if these are not available, powder or extract is the next best thing.
You can of course also buy the juice from your local supermarket, but this is the weakest form of the extract and also the one the contains the highest levels of sugar.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR –
I am 60 years old, I currently live in London. I have one married daughter aged 35
I have always had a passion for fitness, In my younger days I was a keen swimmer and competed at county level both at home and abroad. I am also a keen squash and tennis player and have always been a keen gym goer.
I have a CPD accreditation in Sports Nutrition and am a published author with my articles featuring in some popular publications.
Over the past 13 years I have studied the effects of testosterone both in the younger man and as we get older, the effects of low or reduced testosterone and how increasing its production can really improve your health.
On a personal level, a number of years ago, I was diagnosed with Low-T myself, and my own in-depth research has helped me to redress my own health concerns.
