Pomegranates: A Potential Ally Against Flu Season

There’s really nothing unusual about calling pomegranates a superfood. This flu season might be a bit more manageable thanks to simple fruits like these that you can find at your local grocery store.

While it’s been known for ages—think Biblical times—that pomegranates have potent antioxidants, recent studies suggest that the fruit and its skin may possess antiviral properties capable of hindering the influenza virus.

This year’s “super flu” has hit the U.S. hard, particularly in New York City, which is experiencing its highest infection rates in a decade. Even though the effectiveness of vaccines seems lower than in previous years, health professionals still advocate for vaccination as the best preventive measure.

If you’re interested in an extra layer of defense, you might consider what’s available on the shelf at your grocery store. A study from Iran explored the impact of punicalagin, a component in pomegranates, on human cells. The findings suggest that punicalagin actually disrupts the influenza virus’s ability to invade these cells, affecting the process known as hemagglutination—essentially the clumping of red blood cells.

The authors of the study concluded that “punicalagin is effective against influenza infection.”

But that’s not all. Another study published in 2017 indicated that pomegranates could also help with herpes infections, showing their broad-spectrum protective potential.

Pomegranates have been recognized for their healing properties for quite some time. Ancient Egyptians appreciated their antibacterial effects and used the fruit to combat various infections. Similarly, Ayurvedic medicine has embraced the pomegranate for thousands of years, applying it for issues like diarrhea and dysentery.

Newer research from Thailand suggests that pomegranates may also help fend off foodborne illnesses caused by pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes.

Pomegranate juice has even shown promise in protecting against HIV-1, which is pretty remarkable.

Interestingly, nearly every part of the pomegranate plant—juice, peel, seeds, flowers, and bark—has been examined for antimicrobial effects, according to a 2013 study. The results highlighted that pomegranates contain various phytochemicals that exhibit antibacterial activity, with punicalagin being noted as the most potent.

That said, research specific to fighting influenza is still developing. While the Iranian study presents encouraging results, further testing in human subjects is needed to validate these findings.

Experts generally agree that adding pomegranates to your diet is a wise choice year-round. Dr. Shannon Haynes, a registered dietitian at Backus Hospital Hartford Healthcare, has recently celebrated this remarkable fruit.

“Pomegranate offers numerous health benefits, including support for the heart, skin, and digestion. They are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, and let’s be honest—they taste great,” she noted.

To bolster your immune system, Dr. Haynes suggests incorporating pomegranate seeds into yogurt, smoothies, oatmeal, salads, or even couscous. While pomegranate juice has its perks, moderation is key, as it does have natural sugars.