Pomegranate May Help Fight Prostate Cancer

Q. I have prostate cancer. I heard on the local news that pomegranate juice might lower PSA. Is there any scientific research to back this up?
A. A group of scientists in Marburg, Germany, has been investigating the effects of pomegranate juice and its components on prostate cancer cells. Because this is laboratory research (“in vitro” or cell culture research), it has no bearing on PSA (prostate-specific antigen), a marker for prostate cancer.
Their studies show that pomegranate juice inhibits the growth and discourages the migration of prostate cancer cells. They concluded: “Overall, this study demonstrates significant antitumor activity of pomegranate-derived materials against human prostate cancer.” (Journal of Medicinal Food, Fall 2004). Follow-up studies have confirmed this.
Recent research shows that PSA is not a fool-proof indicator of prostate cancer (JAMA, July 6, 2005). There are no clinical studies to show that drinking pomegranate juice will help you overcome prostate cancer, but the existing science suggests it won’t hurt and might help.