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When I suffered from diarrhoea recently, my mom asked me to have pomegranate. I always used to wonder how eating this fruit can help you deal with an upset stomach and relieve the symptoms of diarrhoea. While many swear by pomegranate to fight diarrhoea, here is what research has to say about pomegranate and diarrhoea.
Pomegranate for diarrhoea -- Does it work?
According to several research studies, pomegranate is a well-known traditional remedy used to treat diarrhoea and other stomach problems. It has been used for centuries to treat and prevent dysentery, dental plaque, inflammation and intestinal infections [1]. Pomegranate is known to treat diarrhoea and calm upset stomach because of its anti-inflammatory effect in the gastrointestinal tract. The seeds are are packed with polyphenols, ellagitannins (ETs) and anthocyanins (ANs). These compounds are known to have powerful antiulcer activity and anti-inflammatory activity that significantly reduce the growth of pathogens (namely Helicobacter pylori), which is mostly responsible for diarrhoea [2]. Here's more on the health benefits of pomegranates.
How to use it
In India, dried pomegranate peels are decocted and used both internally and externally as astringents and germicides. The peel extract is used to treat diarrhoea and inflammatory stomach conditions. Studies have shown that different preparations of pomegranate, including extracts from peels, flowers, and seeds, in addition to the juice, show a significant anti-inflammatory activity in the gut [2]. Hence, eating pomegranate seeds or drinking its juice can help you to treat diarrhoea. Also read about drinks that help ease symptoms of diarrhoea.
References:
1. Ismail T, Sestili P, Akhtar S. Pomegranate peel and fruit extracts: a review of potential anti-inflammatory and anti-infective effects. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Sep 28;143(2):397-405. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.07.004. Epub 2012 Jul 20. Review. PubMed PMID: 22820239.
2. Colombo E, Sangiovanni E, Dell'agli M. A review on the anti-inflammatory activity of pomegranate in the gastrointestinal tract. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:247145. doi: 10.1155/2013/247145. Epub 2013 Mar 14. PubMed PMID: 23573120; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3612487.
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