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Nutrition and daily life

Pomegranate — fruit card: the ruby of Goychay

The Goychay pomegranate is one of Azerbaijan’s symbols: the pomegranate festival, narsharab and pomegranate juice. This card explains how to eat pomegranate safely during treatment and its possible effect on medicines.

Last updated: ~2 min read
A split pomegranate and glistening seeds on a dark board.
Figure 1.Goychay pomegranate: ruby seeds.

01Short answer

Pomegranate seeds provide fibre, vitamin C and polyphenols. The thick skin means a cleanly opened pomegranate is usually safe; wash the skin first. Loose seeds and fresh-squeezed juice from the market can be risky during neutropenia; choose pasteurised juice. There is limited evidence that pomegranate juice may affect some medicines, so tell your doctor before drinking a lot. Pomegranate does not treat leukemia.

02Simple explanation

Pomegranate: fibre and polyphenols.

Wash the skin, then open it.

Loose market seeds: no.

Lots of juice: ask your doctor.

03Scientific explanation

MSK: in lab studies pomegranate juice affected how some medicines are broken down; the importance in people is unclear.

WHO: at least 400 g of fruit and vegetables a day is recommended; during treatment the amount may vary with appetite and your doctor’s advice.

FDA: wash produce under running water before cutting or peeling, because a knife can carry germs from the skin into the flesh.

04What happens in the body?

How to open it

Cut the washed fruit with a clean knife, remove the seeds into a clean bowl and eat them soon.

Fresh pomegranate seeds in a glass bowl.
Figure 2.Remove the seeds into a clean bowl.

Narsharab

Sealed factory narsharab added to hot dishes is safe and tasty (see “Sauces and ready-made foods — food card: convenience and caution”).

Narsharab drizzled over a steaming dish.
Figure 3.Narsharab on a hot dish.

Washing and peeling

Wash your hands, rub the fruit under running water, dry it with a clean towel, then peel or cut it. Soap or bleach solutions are not needed.

Cut fruit

Keep cut fruit in the fridge and eat it within 1 day; do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

05Fruit: four steps

Whole fruit, swap bruised, wash and peel, eat cut fruit soon.

Whole fruit — No spots.1Whole fruitNo spots.
Not bruised — Fresh and whole.2Not bruisedFresh and whole.
Wash and peel — Running water.3Wash and peelRunning water.
Eat soon — Fridge, 1 day.4Eat soonFridge, 1 day.
VitaminsA natural source.
FibreFor the gut.
SafetyWashing.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
How to open itCut the washed fruit with a clean knife, remove the seeds into a clean bowl and eat them soon.
NarsharabSealed factory narsharab added to hot dishes is safe and tasty (see “Sauces and ready-made foods — food card: convenience and caution”).
Washing and peelingWash your hands, rub the fruit under running water, dry it with a clean towel, then peel or cut it. Soap or bleach solutions are not needed.
Cut fruitKeep cut fruit in the fridge and eat it within 1 day; do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

07Key terms

Polyphenols
Antioxidant plant compounds.
Narsharab
A thick, boiled-down pomegranate sauce.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils, raising infection risk.
Potassium
A mineral for the heart and muscles.
Fibre
The part of plants that helps the gut work.

08Key points

  • A much-loved fruit.
  • Open it yourself at home.
  • Juice: pasteurised.
  • Wash under running water.
  • Eat cut fruit soon.

09Frequently asked questions

Does pomegranate raise haemoglobin?

No; your doctor treats anaemia. Pomegranate has little iron.

How much juice a day?

A glass is usually fine; check your medicines with your doctor.

Does this fruit treat leukemia?

No. It is a pleasant part of eating, not a treatment.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Does pomegranate raise haemoglobin?

  2. How much juice a day?

  3. Does this fruit treat leukemia?

My questions

12Sources

  1. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — About Herbs. Pomegranate
  2. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Diet Guidelines for Immunosuppressed Patients
  3. U.S. FDA. Selecting and Serving Produce Safely
  4. NHS. 5 A Day: what counts?
  5. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  6. USDA. FoodData Central
  7. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Fatigue (PDQ®) – Patient Version
  8. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Sleep Disorders (PDQ®) – Patient Version
  9. American Cancer Society. Cancer-related Fatigue
  10. American Cancer Society. Physical Activity and the Person with Cancer
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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