Pomegranate Seed Oil: Can It Prevent Diabetes?

There’s little doubt that the pomegranate is a star in the world of superfruits. This brilliant red fruit has risen from relative obscurity to become the celebrity of the produce world. With three times the antioxidant power of red wine, it’s no wonder more people are enjoying fresh pomegranate and pomegranate juice. Now there may be a new reason to indulge in this luscious red superfruit, a new study shows that pomegranate seed oil may reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

Pomegranate Seed Oil Benefits: A Study

In this study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, researchers gave a group of mice a high fat diet, while a second group received a high fat diet along with pomegranate seed oil. A third group was given a normal diet. At the end of the study, the mice given the high fat diet along with the pomegranate seed oil gained ten grams less weight than the group given only the high fat diet. The group that received the pomegranate seed oil also had lower levels of leptin and higher levels of adipenectin, a hormone that increases insulin sensitivity. Insulin sensitivity was also increased in the mice given the pomegranate seed oil. All of these changes are synonymous with better blood sugar control and a lower risk of developing diabetes.(type 2).

How Does Pomegranate Seed Oil Reduce the Risk of Developing Diabetes?

It may be tempting to think that the lower risk of developing diabetes arose from the antioxidant activity of the pomegranate, but, unlike the body of the fruit, pomegranate seed oil has little antioxidant power. What it does have is CLA (conjugated linolenic acid), a fatty acid that some studies show can increase insulin sensitivity. Researchers believe it could be this component that accounts for the reduced risk of developing diabetes.

Is CLA the Key?

If CLA is the key to reducing the risk of developing diabetes, it can also be found in dairy products and meat, particularly beef. Grass fed animals produce much higher concentrations of CLA than cattle fed grain. Generally, full fat dairy products are richer sources of CLA than low fat or fat free dairy, since the de-fatting process removes most of it.

The Bottom Line

Because this study was done in mice, it’s too early to say whether pomegranate seed oil significantly reduces the risk of developing diabetes in humans. It’s also unclear as to whether CLA is the ingredient that’s causing the improved insulin sensitivity. Although pomegranate seed oil can be purchased online, it’s premature to use it as a supplement for diabetes prevention. Interestingly, pomegranate seed oil may have some benefits topically for promoting younger looking skin since a study showed it helps to regenerate skin cells in the epidermis. Stay tuned for further studies.