As it turns out, the pomegranate is historic in origin and today is considered a super food. The pomegranate can be traced back to the Bronze Age and ancient Persia and has been cultivated in Georgia, Armenia and the Mediterranean region for several millennia. The word “pomegranate” derives from the Latin pomum (“apple”) and granatus (“seeded”). Its super food status comes from the abundant polyphenols called punicalagins found in its juice. Laboratory studies have shown these to have potent free-radical scavenging properties that increase plasma antioxidant capacity. Preliminary laboratory research and human pilot studies indicate that pomegranate juice has been found effective in reducing heart disease risk factors, artherosclerosis, osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease, lowers systolic blood pressure and may even be effective against prostate cancer. The juice may also have antiviral and antibacterial effects against dental plaque.