The Red Elixir

I remember the first pomegranate I opened by hand, in a riad in Marrakech. Mint tea in one hand, a burst pomegranate in the other, fingers stained purple. The juice ran down my wrists and the taste was wildly complex: sweet, acidic, astringent, mineral, all at once.

Do you suspect an iron deficiency? Take the iron deficiency questionnaire in 2 minutes and read my complete article on iron and ferritin.

Bioactive molecules

Carrot provides fat-soluble beta-carotene (8,285 mcg/100 g) and alkalizing potassium, while pomegranate concentrates punicalagins, antioxidants three times more powerful than green tea¹. Urolithin A, produced by the microbiota from pomegranate ellagitannins, activates mitophagy and renews mitochondria². Anthocyanins protect the vascular endothelium and prevent LDL oxidation³. Carrot pectin nourishes bacteria that transform ellagitannins into urolithins, creating a remarkable prebiotic + polyphenol synergy⁴.

The pomegranate is an antioxidant powerhouse. Its antioxidant power, measured by the ORAC index, exceeds that of most known fruits and vegetables. But it’s not the classic antioxidants like vitamin C that make the difference here. It’s the punicalagins, ellagic tannins specific to pomegranate, and ellagic acid, a polyphenol found in significant quantities in very few foods. These molecules work at multiple levels of the cardiovascular system.

This antioxidant duo combines beta-carotene and polyphenols. It’s the ultimate anti-aging juice that protects cells from oxidative stress. Modern science may not have known about pomegranate, but Ayurvedic medicine has used it for 3,000 years for longevity.

Table of key micronutrients

Micronutrient	Main role
Punicalagins	Powerful antioxidant, LDL protection against oxidation
Ellagic acid	Anti-atherogenic, vascular anti-inflammatory
Beta-carotene	Protection of the vascular endothelium
Potassium	Blood pressure regulation
Organic iron	Red blood cell formation
Folic acid	Red blood cell synthesis, homocysteine metabolism

Is your body fighting free radicals? Take the oxidative balance test and read my article on oxidative stress.

Preparation using a cold press juicer

Ingredients:

• 2 medium raw beets
• 2 pomegranates (arils)
• 1 piece of ginger (2 cm)

To seed a pomegranate cleanly, cut it into quarters and turn each piece upside down over a bowl of water, tapping the back with a spoon. The seeds fall to the bottom, the white membranes float. Retrieve the seeds by hand.

My recommended juicer

For this recipe, I use the Hurom H330P. Cold pressing preserves all the enzymes, vitamins, and phytonutrients that the heat from a centrifuge would destroy.

Promo code: francoisbenavente20 for -20% off everything at Hurom.

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To go further

Related articles

• Iron: absorption and metabolism
• Anemia: causes and natural solutions
• Oxidative stress and antioxidants
• Cellular aging

Take the tests

• Questionnaire: Iron deficiency
• Questionnaire: Oxidative balance

Complementary recipes

• The Gilles Lartigot Special
• The Restorative
• The Child Special
• The Digestive
• The Morning Detox

Go further

• All my health questionnaires
• My naturopathy shop
• Naturopathy video consultation
• My Living Juices eBook