Is POM Wonderful Wonderful?

I've seen the unique bottles of POM in the grocery store but didn't try it until recently. I was asked by POM if I would like to sample their juice. So upon receiving a small package in the mail from POM, I tried POM Wonderful 100% pomegranate juice for the first time. The tartness reminds me of cranberry juice, and it's not as sweet as concord grape juice. ( I love cranberry juice and usually drink a glass of concord grape juice each day.) POM sells a variety of juices, POMx tea, even POMx iced coffee, POMx bars, POMx pills. A 16oz bottle sells for between $4-$5.




According to POM's promotional literature:

• POM juice has more antioxidants than red wine, concord grape juice, blueberry juice, black cherry juice, and acai juice.
• POM Wonderful is the only brand guaranteed to contain 100% authentic pomegranate juice.
• POM contains to added sugar, preservatives, colors, or cheap filler juices
• POM grows their own fruit (in the San Joaquin Valley,) squeezes it with their own presses, and manufactures their own bottles.
• POM is guaranteed to be made exclusively from the "wonderful" variety of pomegranates. The wonderful variety is known for it's unique combination of superior antioxidants, delicious taste, and deep crimson color. There are different varieties of pomegranates, not all have the health benefits of the wonderful variety.
• POM Wonderful has proved $32 million to fund medical research (primarily in cardiovascular, prostate, and erectile health) 45 published clinical studies in peer reviewed journals document the benefits of drinking 8oz of POM Wonderful 100% pomegranate juice daily. It is important to note that the medical claims are based on medical research that POM financed. One study appears to have been conducted using only 13 test subjects and 2 others with only 10 test subjects.

For more information you can check out POM's website at http://www.pomwonderful.com/. There's also some great recipes there.





*A word about antioxidants - antioxidants are nutrients and enzymes that prevent oxidative damage to the body. When our cells use oxygen they naturally produce free radicals which can cause damage. The body also picks up free radicals from sun exposure, pollution, stress, alcohol, and cigarette smoke. The oxidative damage done by free radicals can cause heart disease, macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's, and rheumatoid arthritis. Antioxidants can prevent and repair the damage done by free radicals. Common antioxidants are Vitamins A, C, and E, selenium, flavenoids/polyphenols, lycopene, lutein, lignan, and co-enzyme Q10.
POM Wonderful did support using lab tests on animals until PETA lodged a boycott, The company issued a statement in January 2007 saying that it would cease all further animal testing. They are now listed on PETA's list of "Good Guys." http://www.caringconsumer.com/products_juice.asp
here are some more links about the controversy: http://www.energygrid.com/action/2007/01-pom.html#pomleter