Pomegranates: Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and More

Pomegranates were a traditional remedy in Ayurveda for thousands of years. Their antibacterial properties were especially highly valued. Not only the fruits, but even the flowers, peels, arils, and bark of the plant are used by many. That said, it is important to note the side effects of pomegranates too.

Although pomegranates are generally considered safe, they may cause some adverse effects in a few individuals. These include drug interactions, low blood pressure, allergies, or even issues during pregnancy.

Read more to further understand the negative effects of pomegranates and how you can reduce the risk.

Know The Flip Side: Pomegranates

Short-Term Effects
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, itching, swelling, irritation in the throat, stomach pain, and hives.

Long-Term Effects
Pomegranate juice supplementation may reduce fetal abdominal and head circumference during pregnancy and cause fluctuations in blood pressure levels.

Drug Interactions
It can interact with ACE inhibitors, antidepressants, cholesterol medications, and certain painkillers.

When To See A Doctor
Visit a doctor if you experience skin irritation, chest pain, drowsiness, confusion, fainting, and wheezing.

Side Effects Of Pomegranates

1. May Cause Allergies

This is the most serious of all side effects of pomegranates. Though rare, pomegranate allergies can be life-threatening. Please take the sign of any allergy seriously.

Symptoms of these allergies include itching, swelling, irritation in the throat, stomach cramps, mouth sores, and hives. In severe cases, one may experience shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing, swelling of the throat and tongue, and anaphylactic shock k (1).

In a study, a patient had developed swelling of the ears, erythema (reddening of the skin), and itching within 10 minutes of pomegranate ingestion. Further investigation found that she was allergic to apples and birch pollen as well (1).

Trivia

The word ‘pomegranate’ comes from the Latin words ‘pomum’ meaning apples and ‘granatum’ meaning seeded.

2. May Interact With Certain Drugs

Pomegranate can interact with certain medications and cause undesirable side effects. These include the following (make sure you cross-check with your doctor):

• Medications changed and broken down by the liver, like amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin), fluoxetine (Prozac), ondansetron (Zofran), tramadol (Ultram), rosuvastatin (Crestor), etc. (2).
• Medications for high blood pressure, like ACE inhibitors (Capoten, Vasotec, Prinivil, Altace, Zestril, etc.) and antihypertensive drugs (Diovan, Cozaar, Cardizem, Lasix, etc.). The juice may reduce blood pressure way too much, especially if someone is on antihypertensive drugs (3).

As per another report, pomegranate can inhibit the action of an enzyme important for drug metabolism (4).

If you are on any form of medication, please check with your doctor if you can consume pomegranate. This is especially important if you are taking medications for high blood pressure.

3. May Lower Blood Pressure Way Too Much

Studies show that pomegranates can lower blood pressure levels (5). This is good news for most people. But individuals with low blood pressure must stay away from pomegranates to avoid blood pressure changes.

This is one reason pomegranate may cause issues during surgery. Hence, stop pomegranate intake at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery. Since research is limited in this regard, it is important you speak to your doctor.

4. May Cause Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR) During Pregnancy

Though there are health benefits of pomegranate juice and it could be safe, there is not enough research on the safety of other forms of pomegranate (like pomegranate extract). Hence, stick to the juice during pregnancy. Animal studies showed that pomegranate juice supplementation reduced fetal abdominal and head circumference (6).

If you have any history of allergic reactions, avoid pomegranate and consult your doctor or midwife.

5. May Cause Digestive Disorders

There is insufficient information in this regard. The excessive consumption of pomegranate may cause many disorders, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea in some people.

As per anecdotal evidence, excessive intake of this fruit may also irritate the gastrointestinal tract. However, there are no scientific studies to back this up.

These are some of the probable ill effects of pomegranates. In case you face any allergies after consuming pomegranates, here is what you can do.

What To Do If You Face Allergies

Stop eating the fruit and avail medical attention immediately. But until you visit the doctor, you can make use of some quick remedies.

If your symptoms involve skin irritation, do not rub or scratch the area. Also, don’t wash for long with soap or water as it will irritate the area further. Apply a skin lotion or ointment. This helps maintain skin moisture. Also, change to loose-fitting clothing.

In case of other severe reactions, please rush to the doctor right away. Look out for other symptoms like chest pain, drowsiness, confusion, fainting, and wheezing.

Moreover, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor about choosing fruits that are less likely to cause allergies but still offer similar health benefits.

Quick Tip

Alternatively, you may also apply aloe vera gel to soothe itching and redness caused by pomegranate. It has wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties (9).

Infographic: 5 Serious Side Effects Of Pomegranate

Pomegranate is a widely consumed fruit. It has been used as a traditional remedy in Ayurveda for its antibacterial properties. However, the fruit and its juice may cause many serious side effects. The infographic below focuses on the 5 must-know side effects of pomegranates everyone should be aware of. Scroll down and take a look.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should not take pomegranate?

Yelena Wheeler, Registered Dietitian, says, “Those who have digestive disorders that can lead to constipation may need to be cautious with excessive intake of pomegranates since the seeds can contribute to constipation and cause blockages.”

What should you avoid after eating pomegranate?

According to Yelena Wheeler, “Pomegranate can interact with some blood thinning and hypertensive medications. Therefore, if you are on such medications, it is best to consult with your doctor, pharmacist, and dietitian to make sure there are not any interactions.”

What medications do pomegranates interfere with?

Pomegranate may interfere with medications like Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Rosuvastatin (Crestor), Warfarin (Coumadin), and Tolbutamide (Orinase). Taking this juice with these medications may cause blood pressure to go too low.

Can pomegranate seeds cause constipation?

Excess intake of these seeds may increase the risk of intestinal blockage in people with chronic constipation. However, there is limited information in this regard.

How much pomegranate should you eat per day?

Pomegranates are nutrient-dense and low-calorie fruits. You can eat 1 to 2 cups of pomegranate arils a day. If you are wondering how to eat pomegranates, you can do so by adding them to your salad, oatmeal, or smoothies.

Does pomegranate juice aggravate diabetes?

Juice, in general, is not recommended for individuals with diabetes. Hence, eating the whole fruit is better. Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants that are believed to help reduce blood sugar levels. The juice could also help fight inflammation and aid diabetes treatment (7). However, there is no research stating that juice may aggravate diabetes.

Is pomegranate good for the liver?

Yes, pomegranate is good for liver health. This fruit is rich in vitamins, minerals, and exogenous antioxidants, which may protect from liver damage.

What happens if we have pomegranates daily?

Daily intake of pomegranates can help promote heart health, improve digestion, and even enhance the health of the prostate (9). However, to avoid any negative consequences, consume them in appropriate amounts.

Should I eat pomegranate at night?

No, pomegranate is best consumed in the morning since it gives you energy and may help combat fatigue, dizziness, and headache. You can even take it after your breakfast.

Can I eat pomegranate on an empty stomach?

Yes, pomegranate can rejuvenate your body right in the morning. Its nutrients are absorbed better when taken on an empty stomach.

Illustration: Pomegranates: Side Effects Interactions Dosage and More

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Reda ElmardiRDN

   

Reda Elmardi is a registered dietician, certified nutritionist, and certified strength and conditioning specialist trainer. He has more than 10 years of experience and has been an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Trainer since 2015.

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• 
  Yelena WheelerMPH, RD Yelena Wheeler, MPH, RDN, has a decade of experience in clinical nutrition, chronic disease management, dialysis, acute care, NICU, bariatrics, diabetes education, public health program development, and food service management. She has worked within many prominent hospital systems in Los Angeles and Central California. She earned her master's degree from California State University, Los Angeles and is currently Clinical Nutrition Manager at Glendale Adventist Medical Center Inc.
  
  Yelena Wheeler, MPH, RDN, has a decade of experience in clinical nutrition, chronic disease management, dialysis, acute care, NICU, bariatrics, diabetes education, public health program development, and food service management. She has worked within many prominent hospital systems in Los Angeles and Central California. She earned her master's degree from California State University, Los Angeles and is currently Clinical Nutrition Manager at Glendale Adventist Medical Center Inc.

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Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

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