Pomegranate juice may slow the progression of post-treatment prostate cancer recurrence, according to new long-term research results presented at the 104th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA).

Researchers found that men who have undergone treatment for localized prostate cancer could benefit from drinking pomegranate juice.

The two-stage clinical trial followed a total of 48 participants over six years. Eligible participants had a rising PSA after surgery or radiotherapy, a PSA greater than 0.2 ng/ml and less than 5 ng/ml and a Gleason score of 7 or less. These patients were treated by drinking eight ounces of pomegranate juice daily.

Currently, in the sixth year of treatment, including drinking the pomegranate juice, patients who remain on the study have a median total follow-up of 56 months. Researchers compared active patients, who remain on the study, with non-active patients, who no longer remain on the study, and are not drinking the juice. Researchers found that markers for prostate cancer were better in the juicing group.

“This study suggests that pomegranate juice may effectively slow the progression of prostate cancer after unsuccessful treatment,” said Christopher Amling, MD, an AUA spokesman. “This finding and other ongoing research might one day reveal that pomegranate juice is an effective prostate cancer preventative agent as well.”

Phase three of this study is currently underway to further evaluate the benefits of pomegranate juice in a placebo-controlled manner.

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Eureka Alert