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Granatæble i grønt pilleglas fra Swanson med påskriften Pomegranate Extract.

Pomegranate and cancer

What is pomegranate

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit about the size of an orange with a tough, reddish-brown skin. Inside are hundreds of small, juicy, red seeds with a sweet, tart, and slightly bitter taste. The seeds are surrounded by a whitish membrane that is bitter and should not be eaten. Pomegranate is not only tasty but also packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can have beneficial effects on health.

Use of pomegranate

Pomegranate has been valued for centuries for its taste and symbolic significance. But beyond being a culinary delicacy, pomegranate also contains a wealth of bioactive compounds with the potential to influence human health, including in the fight against cancer.

Mechanisms of action and potential in cancer

Pomegranate is a rich source of antioxidants, especially polyphenols such as ellagic acid, punicalagins, and anthocyanins. These substances have shown a range of potentially beneficial effects in relation to cancer:

Inhibition of cancer cell division

In laboratory experiments, pomegranate extract has been shown to inhibit the proliferation (cell division) of various cancer cell types, including breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancer [4, 5, 6].

Induction of apoptosis

Pomegranate can trigger programmed cell death (apoptosis) in cancer cells, which is a natural process by which the body removes damaged or abnormal cells [3, 5].

Anti-angiogenesis

Pomegranate extract can inhibit the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), which is crucial for the growth and spread of cancerous tumors [7].

Anti-inflammatory effect

Chronic inflammation can contribute to cancer development. Pomegranate has anti-inflammatory properties that can counteract this. The polyphenols in pomegranate possess these anti-inflammatory qualities, which can dampen inflammation in the body.

Increased sensitivity to chemotherapy

Some studies suggest that pomegranate can increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy, potentially improving treatment effectiveness.

Strengthens the immune system

  • Prebiotic effect: The ellagitannins in pomegranate act as prebiotics that nourish beneficial gut bacteria. This promotes the growth of “good” bacteria like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus, while inhibiting the growth of “bad” bacteria [1].
  • Increased diversity: A healthy gut flora is characterized by a high diversity of bacteria. Pomegranate contributes to increasing this diversity.
  • Stronger intestinal barrier: A healthy gut flora strengthens the intestinal barrier, preventing harmful substances from entering the body.
  • Increased production of immune cells: The gut houses a large portion of the body’s immune cells. A healthy gut flora stimulates the production of these cells and thus strengthens the immune defense [1].
  • Regulation of immune response: The gut flora plays a role in regulating the body’s immune response and preventing overreactions.

Advantages of pomegranate

In addition to the positive effects of pomegranates, there are further advantages to its use as a supplementary treatment for cancer:

Enhances chemo and radiation

  • Potential synergistic effect with conventional treatment: Some studies indicate that pomegranate can enhance the effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes.

Can improve quality of life

  • Cancer and cancer treatment can lead to a range of side effects, such as fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite. Pomegranate can potentially alleviate some of these symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients [9].

Can protect healthy cells

  • Cancer treatment can damage both cancer cells and healthy cells. In some studies, pomegranate extract has been shown to protect healthy cells from damage caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Can inhibit cancer metastasis

  • The spread of cancer to other parts of the body (metastasis) is a serious complication. Some studies suggest that pomegranate can inhibit the metastatic process [4].

Can support the immune system

  • A strong immune system is important in the fight against cancer. Pomegranate contains substances that can strengthen the immune system and increase the body’s ability to fight cancer cells [1].

Natural and generally well-tolerated

  • Can contribute to a healthy and varied diet.
  • Can have positive effects on other health aspects, such as cardiovascular health and inflammation.

Disadvantages and limitations

  • Limited clinical evidence for the effect on cancer in humans.
  • Interactions with medication are possible, especially blood thinners.
  • Can cause stomach problems in some individuals.
  • Not a substitute for conventional cancer treatment.

Interactions

There are some forms of medication where there may be a potential risk of interaction with pomegranate:

1. Certain types of chemotherapy

  • Pomegranate contains antioxidants. There is a theoretical concern that high doses of antioxidants could interfere with certain forms of chemotherapy that work by producing free radicals to destroy cancer cells. Although research in this area is complex and not conclusive, caution is advisable.
  • Specific chemotherapeutic agents where interactions have been studied (primarily in laboratory studies) include cisplatin, doxorubicin, and vincristine. It is important to emphasize that the clinical relevance of these in vitro studies is not always clear.

2. Hormone therapy

  • Certain types of cancer, such as breast and prostate cancer, are treated with hormone therapy. Pomegranate contains substances that have shown anti-estrogenic effects in the lab and can influence hormone levels.
  • There is a potential risk that pomegranate could interact with hormone treatments such as tamoxifen (for breast cancer) and aromatase inhibitors. Again, the clinical significance in humans is not fully clarified, but caution is necessary.

3. Blood thinners (Anticoagulants)

  • Pomegranate can potentially affect blood coagulation. There are reports of interactions between pomegranate juice and warfarin, where pomegranate could potentially increase the effect of warfarin and thus increase the risk of bleeding. Patients taking warfarin should be particularly cautious and consult their doctor if they wish to consume pomegranate products regularly.

4. Medication metabolized by liver enzymes (Cytochrome P450 system)

  • Pomegranate juice can inhibit certain enzymes in the liver, especially CYP3A4, CYP2C9, and CYP2D6, which are involved in the metabolism of many drugs, including certain forms of chemotherapy and pain medication. Inhibition of these enzymes can lead to increased concentrations of the medicine in the blood, potentially increasing the risk of side effects.
  • Examples of medications metabolized by these enzymes are many, and it is important to discuss your specific medication list with your doctor.

5. Blood pressure medication

  • There are some indications that pomegranate can lower blood pressure. While this can be beneficial in some cases, it can potentially enhance the effect of blood pressure medication and lead to excessively low blood pressure (hypotension).

Important points

  • This list is not exhaustive. There may be other interactions that are not yet fully understood.
  • The strength of the interaction can vary depending on the dose of pomegranate, the specific medication, and the individual patient’s metabolism.
  • Most reported interactions come from case reports or in vitro studies. More research in humans is needed to determine the clinical significance of many of these potential interactions.

Advice for cancer patients considering pomegranate:

Clinical trials

Although laboratory experiments have shown promising results, the clinical evidence for pomegranate’s effect on cancer in humans is still limited. Some smaller studies have indicated positive effects, e.g., on PSA levels in men with prostate cancer [8, 9] and on survival rates in patients with lung cancer.

However, there is a need for more large-scale, randomized clinical trials to confirm these findings and establish the optimal dosage and use of pomegranate in cancer treatment.

Dispensing and consumption

Pomegranate can be consumed in various ways:

Fresh fruit

Eat the seeds directly or use them in salads, smoothies, or desserts.

Juice

Drink freshly squeezed pomegranate juice. Be aware of the sugar content in commercial juices.

Extract

Pomegranate extract is available as a dietary supplement in capsule or powder form.

Conclusion

Pomegranate is an exciting fruit with potential in the fight against cancer. Laboratory experiments have shown promising results, but more research is needed to confirm the effect in humans. Pomegranate can be a valuable supplement to a healthy lifestyle and conventional cancer treatment but should always be used in consultation with a competent practitioner.

Back to Dietary supplements

See also Ellagic acid

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Links

[1] Pomegranates boost the immune system and cancer-fighting T-cells, German study shows (Nyhedscentrum, 2022)

  • Content: An article describing a study where pomegranate components were found to enhance the activity of T-cells against cancer.

[2] Diet and prostate cancer (PROPA, Prostate Cancer Association, 2020)

  • Content: A guide discussing the role of nutrition, including pomegranate, in managing prostate cancer.

[3] Biomimetic Fe3O4 Nanozymes Promote Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cell Lines via Free Radical Scavenging and Inhibition of RelA/p65 (PubMed, 2025)

  • Content: A study on advanced delivery systems using pomegranate-related research to trigger cell death in breast cancer.

[4] Anticancer effects of pomegranate-derived peptide PG2 on CDK2 and miRNA-339-5p-mediated apoptosis via extracellular vesicles in acute leukemia (PubMed, 2024)

  • Content: Research investigating specific pomegranate peptides and their ability to induce apoptosis in leukemia cells.

[5] Induction of Apoptosis and Antiproliferative Activity of MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells with Sonicated Aqueous Peel Extract of Punica granatum L. (PubMed, 2024)

  • Content: An in vitro study showing how pomegranate peel extract inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells.

[6] Pomegranate Peel Extract as 6-Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase (6PGD) Inhibitor for Treatment of Breast Cancer (PubMed, 2025)

  • Content: Research identifying pomegranate extract as an inhibitor of an enzyme critical for breast cancer cell metabolism.

[7] Pomegranate and Its Components as Alternative Treatment for Prostate Cancer (PubMed, 2014)

  • Content: A comprehensive review of pomegranate’s role in inhibiting pathways relevant to prostate cancer progression.

[8] A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial evaluating the effect of a polyphenol-rich whole food supplement on PSA progression in men with prostate cancer—the UK NCRN Pomi-T study (PubMed, 2014)

  • Content: A randomized trial (phase 2) showing that a supplement containing pomegranate significantly reduced the rate of PSA rise in men with prostate cancer.

[9] Phase II study of pomegranate juice for men with rising prostate-specific antigen following surgery or radiation for prostate cancer (PubMed, 2006)

  • Content: A clinical trial (phase 2) investigating the effect of pomegranate juice on PSA doubling time in prostate cancer patients.

Page created: Jan 11, 2025. Last revised: Apr 28, 2026.

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What you read on Jeg har Kræft is not a recommendation. Seek competent guidance.