Pomegranate (Punica granatum) originated in North Africa and the Middle East and is now found throughout the world. In the eighteenth century, it was brought to California by the Spanish. Pomegranate juice is a rich source of polyphenols, tannins, and anthocyanins (OPC). It has antioxidant and antiatherosclerotic properties. Animal studies have shown that polyphenolic antioxidants inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, and reduce atherosclerosis, the accumulation of plaque on arterial walls, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems such as heart attack and stroke. It has been suggested that pomegranates combat atherosclerosis by stimulating the enzyme activity of paraoxonase (PON) and HDL-associated protein. Pomegranate increases PON activity in patients with high cholesterol and diabetes. Additional studies have focused on preventing and treating diabetes, neurological health, osteoarthritis, antibacterial effects, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and as a cancer prevention herb. Pomegranate has been traditionally used to treat infections, diarrhea, and to reduce fever. Health Concerns Pomexcellent is assayed to contain 40 percent punicosides, the same as fresh pomegranate juice. The advantage of Pomexcellent is that it is standardized to water soluble punicosides and not ellagic acid. Pomexcellent pomegranate extract provides its antioxidant benefits via an array of polyphenols present in the fruit\'s seeds, husk and juice, and is particularly rich in punicalagins. Pomexcellent has a superior punicalagin profile as well as a higher phenolic content than typical juices or ready-made products, without the sugar, carbohydrates, calories or allergens. With an ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value of over 3,000 Pomexcellent is one of nature\'s premier antioxidants.

Pomegranate fruit skin extract (Punica granatum) (40% punicosides)