Last Updated on December 13, 2023 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
A Facebook post claimed that pomegranates relieve leg/ joint pain. We fact-checked it and found the claim to be Half-True.
The Claim
A facebook post by the name Gunja Jayswal says Consuming Pomegranate for 15 days helps relieve leg/joint pain.
Fact Check
What factors can lead to both leg/joint pain?
Leg/ joint pain can stem from a variety of causes, ranging from severe medical conditions like edema, lymphedema, deep vein thrombosis, or systemic diseases affecting the heart, kidneys, or liver. Likewise, knee pain is attributable to multiple factors, spanning from injuries, such as ligament tears or cartilage damage, to more critical health issues like arthritis, gout, or infections.
Does pomegranate help reduce leg/joint pain?
To some extent. A 2020 research explored various aspects, including various forms of pomegranate (extracts, juice, etc.) and different parts of the pomegranate, like peel, seeds, and ellagic acid, were studied. The findings suggest that pomegranate can give relief in pain. Researchers used solvents like methanol and ethanol to extract compounds. Doses ranged from 10 to 3000 mg/kg, with 100 mg/kg being the most effective. Pomegranate extracts often matched standard drugs’ pain-relief effects. Remarkably, pomegranate peel, often considered waste, showed the strongest pain relief. Different varieties of peel had varying effects. Overall, the combination of compounds in pomegranate contributes to its pain-relief properties. However, further research is needed to fully understand the role of pomegranate used directly for leg pain relief.
Another 2019 study concluded that pomegranate shows promising potential in alleviating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) inflammation. Therefore, it could serve as a potential remedy for inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) which includes joint /leg pain as a part of its symptoms.
Can a diet reduce leg/joint pain?
As per the Arthritis Foundation, while there isn’t a miraculous arthritis diet, numerous foods such as moringa can play a role in combating inflammation and enhancing relief from joint/leg pain and associated symptoms.
Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Saransh Gupta adds, “The current medical approach focuses on mitigating inflammation through the use of anti-inflammatory medications. Published studies indicate that the pomegranate fruit has abundant bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, anthocyanin, flavonoids, tannins, puninic acid, and more. These compounds possess both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, demonstrating the potential to lower disease activity and diminish inflammatory markers. Research findings suggest that pomegranate fruit extract (PFE) is remarkably effective in preserving human cartilage and exhibits non-toxicity towards human cartilage cells.”
Nutritionist Priyanka says, “Joint pain is an inflammatory condition, and while pomegranate may offer benefits in combating arthritis, it’s crucial to recognize that arthritis is a multifactorial disease. Determining the appropriate portion size involves considering various significant risk factors such as age, sex, genetics, obesity, and previous joint injuries. It is essential to take all these factors into account when addressing and managing joint pain, particularly in the context of arthritis.”
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