Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ACE
ACE stands for angiotensin-converting enzyme. By splitting proteins, these enzymes convert angiotensin I into angiotensin II, a substance that increases salt and water in the body and leads to high blood pressure. ACE inhibitors make blood vessels relax, helping to lower blood pressure and allowing more oxygen-rich blood to reach the heart.
Anthocyanins
Naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds give many fruits, vegetables and plants their bright colors. Originally derived from two Greek words meaning plant and blue, anthocyanins are what make eggplants purple and pomegranates red. Many of the antioxidant characteristics in plants are due largely to anthocyanins. In fact, the darker, more deeply red and blue fruits usually have higher values of antioxidants; the rich, red pomegranate is absolutely loaded.
Assays (Antioxidant Potency Tests)
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC)
Assay that measures the oxidative degradation of a fluorescent molecule after being mixed with free radical generators. The more antioxidant capacity you have (from the food), the less of the fluorescent molecule will degrade (and the higher the score).
Free Radical Scavenging Properties by the diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)
Assay is used to test the ability of compounds to act as free radical scavengers or hydrogen donors, and to evaluate antioxidant activity of foods.
Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP)
Assay works by using antioxidants as reductants in a chemical reaction. As the mixture of ferric tripyridyl triazine reduces (the more antioxidant, the greater the reduction) it turns a brilliant blue color, which can easily be measured. The greater the antioxidant activity, the bluer the mixture becomes.
Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC)
Assay that measures antioxidant strength based on Trolox (a water-soluble vitamin E derivative having antioxidative activity – so it is the reference), measured in units called Trolox Equivalents (TE), e.g., micromolTE/100g. Due to the difficulties in measuring individual antioxidant components of a complex mixture (such as pomegranate juice), Trolox equivalency is used as a benchmark for the antioxidant capacity of such a mixture.
Atherosclerosis
Often called hardening of the arteries, atherosclerosis starts when oxidized cholesterol and other substances build up in the inner lining of an artery. The buildup is called plaque. Damage occurs when the plaque reduces the blood’s flow or when the plaque ruptures and causes blood clots. When a blood vessel that feeds the heart is blocked, it can cause a heart attack. If it blocks a vessel feeding the brain, it can cause a stroke.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are scavengers that may neutralize free radicals before they get a chance to harm your body. They get their name from their ability to inhibit oxidation. There are lots of different substances we call antioxidants, including many vitamins and minerals. Not all antioxidants are created equal, and some of the most powerful polyphenol antioxidants are found in great abundance in pomegranates.
Carotid IMT
A stroke occurs when an adequate flow of blood to the brain is disrupted. The most common cause of this disruption is a narrowing or blockage of the carotid artery caused by the accumulation of plaque in the artery walls. The carotid arteries are the main blood supply to the brain. The intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid arteries is a common way to measure how much plaque is lining the artery walls. The less, of course, the better.
Ellagic Acid
A naturally occurring phenolic compound phytochemical found in many fruits and vegetables, with levels much higher in berries and pomegranates than in apples, pears or walnuts.
Free Radicals
Free radicals are atoms or molecules in the body with an unpaired electron·making them highly unstable. Because electrons normally come in pairs, the free radicals collide with other molecules in an attempt to steal an electron, and may start a chain reaction, damaging DNA and cells. Emerging science suggests this free radical damage may be linked to disease. Free radical scavengers, or antioxidants, bind with the free radicals before they can do their damage.
HDL/LDL
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL cholesterol, is called “good” cholesterol because scientists believe it removes cholesterol from the blood, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. The goal is for the HDL count to be “high” and LDL count to be “low.” Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol, carries the majority of cholesterol through the blood stream. In order for cholesterol to travel through your blood (cholesterol can’t dissolve in water or blood), it’s coated with a layer of protein to make lipoprotein. Larger, less dense and less stable than HDL cholesterol, LDL can oxidize if attacked by free radicals and it can buildup on the walls of your arteries. This plaque can narrow the arteries, reduce blood flow or rupture, leading to heart disease or stroke. Which is why LDL cholesterol is known as the “bad” cholesterol.
Hypertension
Also called high blood pressure, it’s a major cause of damage to the arteries, heart and kidneys and can lead to atherosclerosis and stroke. When blood vessels are narrow and filled with plaque, it’s harder for blood to flow through them and pressure against the artery wall increases. This can cause high blood pressure.
Inflammation
Process by which the body’s white blood cells and chemicals protect us from infection and foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses.
Nitric oxide
Produced by several different kinds of cells and present in all humans and most animals, nitric oxide functions as a signaling molecule that tells the body to make blood vessels relax and widen. Nitric oxide controls blood pressure, providing more blood during exercise and reducing the flow of blood when at rest. Since heart attacks happen when the blood can’t flow through the blood vessels to the heart, lots of nitric oxide in the body can help by relaxing the blood vessels, allowing them to open and increasing blood flow.
Oxidation
When those unstable free radicals “borrow” an electron from a normal cell in the body, the process is called oxidation. It’s the same process as when metal rusts, or a cut-up apple turns brown. Free radicals cause oxidation inside the body, which is why you want plenty of antioxidants, or compounds that inhibit chemical reactions with oxygen.
Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals is simply a word that means plant chemicals. Once, researchers attributed the health-promoting effects of plants to their numerous vitamins, minerals and fibers. More recently, however, researchers have discovered that the many other chemical compounds in plants also provide benefits to humans when consumed. Phytochemicals provide plants with protection from the environmental challenges they face, such as ultraviolet light. When we consume plants rich in phytochemicals, they seem to protect us as well. Some researchers estimate that up to 40,000 different phytochemicals will someday be fully catalogued and understood. Polyphenols are a class of phytochemicals that are particularly rich in antioxidants and plentiful in pomegranates
Plaque
Atherosclerosis occurs when fat, cholesterol and other substances accumulate in the walls of the arteries and form plaque. Eventually, plaque can erode the walls of the artery, diminish its elasticity and interfere with blood flow. Plaques can also rupture, causing debris to head downstream within the artery. This is a common cause for heart attack and stroke. Naturally, the less plaque, the better.
Polyphenols
An important class of phytochemical. And tannins, particularly punicalagin, anthocyanins and ellagic acid are all members of the polyphenol family. While many fruits contain some of these antioxidants, pomegranates have large amounts of all three.
Phenolics in 100% pomegranate juice
POMo (Pomegranate Oil)
Each pomegranate contains 600–800 seeds and when purified, oil from these seeds (POMo) is a rich naturally occurring source of the bioactive compound 9-cis, 11-trans conjugate linolenic acid (CLA). Since the pomegranate juice and seed oil contain different bioactive compounds, it is reasonable to speculate that they may exert different physiologic effects.
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
A substance produced by the prostate. It may be found in higher levels in the blood of men who have prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, infection or inflammation of the prostate.
Punicalagin
A hydrolyzable tannin, punicalagin is found almost exclusively in pomegranates. This highly unique and potent polyphenol antioxidant breaks down to ellagic acid.
Systolic/Diastolic Blood Pressure
The systolic measurement is the first, or top number in a blood pressure reading. It’s the pressure of blood against artery walls when the heart has just finished pumping or contracting. The diastolic measurement is the second, or bottom number in a blood pressure reading. It’s the pressure of blood against artery walls when the heart is relaxed and filling with blood. Numbers at 140/90 or higher are considered a high blood pressure. That means that the heart and arteries work harder and there’s more risk of suffering a stroke or heart attack.
Tannins
Tannins are plant polyphenols that add color and a slightly tart taste to pomegranates and many other vegetables and plants. The word tannin comes from the Celtic word for oak and refers to the source of tannins used to convert animal skins into leather. In folk medicine, tannins were used to treat burns and as an astringent. While there are tannins in some teas and in red wine, tannins are truly abundant in pomegranates.
