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Regular consumption of pomegranate juice (PJ, 石榴汁) may have an effect on the quality and mobility of sperm, reported by a new research study lead by Gaffari Turk from Firat University in Turkey and also published in Clinical Nutrition.

The lead researcher says, “”The results of this study demonstrated, for the first time, that daily consumption of PJ for seven weeks caused increased spermatogenic cell density, epididymal sperm concentration, sperm motility and decreased abnormal sperm rate related with decreased lipid peroxidation in male rats.”

For seven weeks, Turk’s research team conducted tests on 28 male Wistar rats by dividing them into four groups and allowed them to drink 1 mL of distilled water, 0.75 mL of water and 0.25 mL of PJ, 0.50 mL of water and 0.50 mL of PJ, and 1 mL of PJ daily for seven weeks.

The experiment suggested that PJ consumption can reduce the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA, 丙二醛), which are a reactive carbonyl compound and end product of lipid oxidation. The effect of drinking PJ with respect to water decreased MDA levels by 48.5% in the serum and 63.5% in the sperm in the tests on rats.

“Spermatozoa are especially susceptible to peroxidative damage because of the high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids which are involved in regulation of sperm maturation, [and] spermatogenesis,” explained the researchers.

They also pointed out that only a high concentration of PJ had a significant impact on sperm abnormalities, compared to PJ and water mixtures.

However, further study is needed to determine whether PJ has the same effect on humans, and the level of PJ concentration required to decrease human sperm abnormalities.

The current market has been increasingly confident on the health benefits of PJ as commercial advertisers are promoting PJ as improving heart health, prevent prostate cancer and reduce the chance of arthritis.

Source: Clinical Nutrition (Elsevier)

“Effects of pomegranate juice consumption on sperm quality, spermatogenic cell density, antioxidant activity and testosterone level in male rats”

Authors: G. Turk, M. Sonmez, M. Aydin, A. Yuce, S. Gur, M. Yuksel, E.H. Aksu, H. Aksoy

Herbal Medicine antioxidant, arthritis, cancer, lipid peroxidation, pomegranate, serum, sperm

Royal jelly (蜂王漿) is the milky white or yellowish paste-like secreted from the heads of the worker bee that is used to feed the queen bee and bee larvae. The royal jelly is known to have a large source of amino acids, proteins, vitamins, minerals and other bioactive substances. Plus, it contains a rare unsaturated fatty acid known as 10-Hydroxy-2-Decenoic Acid (10-HDA), which is good for its bactericidal and anti-aging effect.

1. Scavenging extra free radicals

Too many free radicals in our body can cause tissue and vascular damage, thereby speeding up our aging process. Royal jelly contains an enzyme called Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) that protects our cell by scavenging for free radicals. Being rich in vitamin A, C, E and selenium, zinc, copper, manganese, magnesium and other trace elements, SOD is the natural anti-oxidant with its ability to eliminate the extra free radicals accumulated during metabolism. In short, prolonged use of royal jelly makes us live longer.

2. Strengthen our immune system

As we grow older, we lose our vitality and get infected with diseases often due to a weakened immune system. In this respect, royal jelly contains the royal jelly acid, taurine, vitamins and other trace elements that can restore our immune system.

3. Sexual stimulant

Pharcological researches suggest that royal jelly has properties that can stimulate sexual activity and increase adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). It is benefitial for both maintaining a healthy lifestyle and intimacy.

4. Controlling lipofuscin

Our organs gradually accumulates a substance called lipofuscin that triggers cell degeneration and weakens bodily functions. Royal jelly can tremendously reduce our lipid peroxidation (LPO) and lipofuscin accumulation in myocardial cells. At the same time, it contains large quantities of active substances that can excrete lipofuscin from our body.

5. The role of nucleic acid

Royal jelly also contains nucleic acid, which is the core component of a human body; without nucleic acid our body would not function at all. A shortage of nucleic acid can affect the rate of cell division, causing an insufficient supply of cells. This in turn reduces protein synthesis, causing body injury, disease, aging and even death.

6. Maintains nutritional balance

We all probably know by now that nutritional balance is the key success factor of staying healthy. The royal jelly is a provider of the basic nutritional substances that our body needs, regulates our physiological function and metabolism, strengthens our immune system and prevents many of the aging diseases. These are all important factors of staying alive and preventy many diseases common to many elderly people.

Herbal Medicine acth, antioxidant, bactericidal, bee, copper, free radical, hda, honey, hormone, immunity, lipid peroxidation, lipofuscin, lpo, magnesium, manganese, metabolism, myocardial cell, royal jelly, selenium, sexual stimulant, sod, superoxide, taurine, trace element, vitamin, zinc