The Best Time To Drink Pomegranate Juice

Do you love the flavor of pomegranates but hate eating the fruit itself because of the annoying seeds? Then drinking pomegranate juice is the best way to get all the benefits of this delicious fruit with none of the hassle!

But what is the best time to drink pomegranate juice? It is best to drink pomegranate juice in the morning. This way you get the most out of the vitamins, minerals, and healthy compounds of fresh pomegranate juice. It also gives you the burst of energy you need to start the day. 

But morning isn’t the only time you can drink pomegranate juice.

Continue reading to learn about the benefits of pomegranate juice and when to drink it, including drinking pomegranate juice before bed, before and after workouts, and much more!

The Health Benefits of Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranates have been known for their health benefits for thousands of years. They are packed with such vitamins as vitamin C, K, and E.

It is also rich in folate and potassium. And it is not surprising that pomegranate juice is among the healthiest juices you can drink. 

Here are some more benefits of pomegranate juice:

High Antioxidant Content 

Pomegranate juice is said to contain 3 times more antioxidants than green tea. In fact, it contains a higher level of antioxidants than most fruit juices.

Polyphenols, which are responsible for the red color of the fruit, are compounds that enhance the antioxidant properties of pomegranates. 

Punicalagins, which are polyphenols, are potent antioxidants found in pomegranate juice. Punicalagins, along with punicic acid, are the primary compounds responsible for the health benefits of pomegranate juice. 

Drinking pomegranate juice regularly helps protect your cells from the damage caused by free radicals and oxidation, thus protecting you from a range of diseases. 

Healthier Skin 

No matter how good fruit juices make us feel, it is always good when they positively affect the way we look too. 

Pomegranate juice is said to help the skin look healthier. It works from the inside out and can make wrinkles look less visible.

Fighting free radicals, pomegranate juice helps renew skin cells and improves skin texture. It is particularly helpful for people with dry skin. 

Anti-Inflammatory Properties 

The anti-inflammatory effects pomegranate juice has on your body is truly impressive. They have to do with the high antioxidant content of the fruit and can protect your body from such serious diseases as cancer and diabetes. 

According to recent studies, pomegranate juice may slow down the reproduction of cancer cells. Pomegranates have also long been used as a remedy for diabetes.

While researchers are not certain about the effects of pomegranate juice on diabetes, they have found out that sugars in this fruit don’t worsen the blood sugar levels of people with diabetes. 

So, even if certain effects of pomegranate juice are not fully proven, incorporating pomegranate juice into your diet certainly won’t harm you. 

Improved Digestion 

Thanks to its strong anti-inflammatory properties, pomegranate juice also reduces inflammation in the gut. The latter can be caused by poor diet, food allergies, or wrong bacteria in the gut. 

So, pomegranate juice is a good addition to the diet of people with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and anyone looking to improve their digestion. 

What Is The Best Time To Drink Pomegranate Juice?

So, pomegranate is very healthy.  But when is it best to drink it? Should your drink it in the morning or is it best to enjoy a glass of fresh pomegranate juice later in the day?

As pomegranate juice contains natural sugars, i.e. carbohydrates, it is best to drink it in the morning. This way you fuel your body and provide it with the necessary nutrients that your body absorbs easier in the morning. 

So, if you are trying to skip the morning coffee, replace it with a glass of fresh pomegranate juice. It will give you the energy boost you need to start your day.

Can You Drink Pomegranate Juice After Eating? 

You can drink pomegranate juice after eating. In fact, pomegranate juice that doesn’t contain added sugars helps manage blood sugar levels after meals.

You may not want to drink pomegranate juice after having a late dinner. But drinking it after meals you have earlier in the day is quite acceptable.

You can replace drinking pomegranate juice after dinner with having a few pomegranate seeds. Unlike the juice, the seeds are high in fiber which makes them suitable for dinner. 

Can You Drink Pomegranate Juice On An Empty Stomach? 

Studies have shown that drinking unsweetened pomegranate juice on empty stomach is the best way to get all the benefits of the juice and improve your digestion. 

Can You Drink Pomegranate Juice At Night?

Drinking pomegranate juice late at night, while not dangerous, may not be the best idea in terms of ensuring restful sleep. 

Eating pomegranates may help you improve your sleep thanks to the high amount of vitamin C they contain. In case you didn’t know, vitamin C is essential for sleep health. Those who consume foods rich in vitamin C sleep better. 

With this being said, pomegranate juice won’t have a positive impact on your sleep patterns. According to certain studies, pomegranate juice lowers melatonin which regulates the sleep-wake cycles of the body. 

Many people wonder if drinking pomegranate juice late at night will cause them to gain weight. But the answer to this question is the same as for eating and drinking anything else at night.

If you haven’t consumed as many calories throughout the day as you have burned, drinking a glass of pomegranate juice at night won’t make you fat. 

But if you don’t have a calorie deficit, pomegranate juice is not the best thing to have late at night when you are craving something. A 100 grams of pomegranate juice contains 54 calories and 13 grams of sugar. 

As mentioned earlier in this article, consuming high amounts of sugar late at night is not recommended. Sugar causes insulin levels to rise. This, in its turn, causes weight gain.

Another reason not to drink pomegranate juice before bed is that it takes your body longer to digest the antioxidants and polyphenols.

When you drink pomegranate juice and go to sleep, your body simply doesn’t have enough time to do this. 

So, in any case, drinking pomegranate juice at night is not a good idea. 

Should You Drink Pomegranate Juice Before Or After Exercising? 

You can drink pomegranate juice before or after your workouts. 

The natural sugars in pomegranate juice make it a good pre-workout food option. Additionally, researchers have found that the antioxidants in pomegranate juice protect nitric oxide against oxidative stress.

Nitric oxide is a molecule involved in various cell processes, including the widening and relaxation of blood vessels. 

So, drinking fresh pomegranate juice before workouts ensures that your muscles get enough oxygen while you are exercising. We recommend you drink pomegranate juice 30 minutes before exercising. 

Pomegranate juice is also a good addition to your post-workout meal. This is because the high magnesium content in pomegranate juice aids muscle recovery after the wear and tear of weight lifting and intense workouts in general. 

Can You Make Pomegranate Juice At Home? 

Fresh juices are always better than their commercially manufactured counterparts. And this is true for pomegranate juice too.

While there are 100% pure pomegranate juice brands on the market, most of the store-bought juices contain added sugar and preservatives.

Fresh homemade pomegranate juice is richer in vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and other compounds responsible for its many health benefits.

Additionally, the antioxidant properties of fresh juices are comparatively stronger. 

But can you make pomegranate juice at home? Making pomegranate juice at home is easy if you own a blender. All you have to do is to blend the pomegranate seeds and then use a mesh strainer to get rid of the seeds. 

As it takes time to make fresh pomegranate juice, we recommend you juice in bulk. Fresh homemade pomegranate juice lasts 2-5 days in the fridge. 

Does Drinking Pomegranate Juice Cause Side Effects?

Pomegranate juice is safe for nearly all people, with the exception of those who are allergic to it. People allergic to pomegranates may experience such symptoms as itching, swelling, and shortness of breath. 

But even if you are not allergic to pomegranate juice, always drink it in moderation. There is sugar in pomegranate juice, and keeping the consumption of sugar at a healthy level is essential for a wholesome diet. 

Drinking a glass of pomegranate juice a day is enough to enjoy all the health benefits of this fruit juice. 

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