The best time to drink pomegranate juice for weight loss is in the morning because it:
- hydrates the body
- has sugar, which is stored as glycogen in the muscles
- doesn’t upset the stomach
- boosts the antioxidant status of the body
Can I drink pomegranate juice in the morning with empty stomach?
Drinking pomegranate juice first thing in the morning is good for weight loss. First, pomegranate juice hydrates the body. It’s mainly water. Also, it’s rich in electrolytes! Proper hydration in key for energy metabolism.
Moreover, pomegranate juice has moderate amounts of calories, as it’s pretty rich in sugars. A 12 oz glass contains about 200 calories (1).
It’s better to consume foods high in sugars first thing in the morning. The body burns them for energy. Most sugar is stored as glycogen in the muscles. Hence, drinking pomegranate juice in the morning won’t make you gain weight.
On the contrary, the body tends to store more sugar as body fat if consumed late at night.
Furthermore, pomegranate juice is pretty rich in polyphenols and other antioxidants, such as vitamin C. Actually, pomegranate juice is among the richest beverages in antioxidants. It can protect us from oxidative stress. The best time to boost the intake of these helpful compounds is in the morning (2,3,4).
You should drink only unsweetened pomegranate juice, though. Avoid drinking fruit juices with added sugar.
Furthermore, drinking unsweetened pomegranate juice in the morning won’t upset your stomach. Actually, studies have shown that pomegranate juice may be beneficial for the stomach. Mainly, due to its high antioxidant content (5,6).
You can drink pomegranate juice year round. You’ll find 100% organic pomegranate juices on Amazon.
Is dinner a good time to eat pomegranate?
Another good time to eat pomegranates is at dinner. It’s a great dessert that supports digestion.
It’s better to eat whole pomegranates at dinner, though. First, we should avoid consuming sugar at night.
Moreover, pomegranate seeds are pretty high in fiber. A whole 4″ pomegranate has more than 11 grams of dietary fiber, or about 36% of the recommended daily intake! Pomegranate juice has no fiber.
Fiber supports weight loss. It regulates appetite and reduces late-night cravings for fattening snacks!
Can I drink pomegranate juice at night?
Actually, the worst time of the day to drink pomegranate juice for weight loss is at night.
Affects sleep quality
It seems that drinking pomegranate juice before bed is bad for sleep.
Pomegranate isn’t a good source of melatonin. It contains only 13–29 ng of melatonin per 100g. Melatonin is important for a good night’s sleep. Melatonin acts as the internal clock of the body.
Actually, drinking pomegranate juice has a negative effect in serum melatonin levels (7).
Prefer other fruits, as a late night snack. For example, a banana before bed supports a good night’s sleep because it’s rich in melatonin.
May make you gain weight
A glass of pomegranate juice contains about 200 calories and almost 50 grams of sugars! We shouldn’t consume high amounts of sugar late at night. It increases insulin levels, causing weight gain.
Eating late at night can make you gain weight. Overweight people tend to consume calorie-dense snacks before bed.
A good time to drink pomegranate juice is before or after exercise
Additionally, a great time to drink pomegranate juice is before exercise, as it’s high in sugar. The muscles require sugar to function properly. Moreover, pomegranate juice contains no fiber. Fiber consumption right before a workout may cause discomfort.
Pomegranate juice is good as a post workout meal as well. It replenishes muscle glycogen, promoting recovery after a workout. Also, it hydrates the body and replenishes electrolytes.
Furthermore, it’s a beverage pretty rich in antioxidants. Consuming foods rich in antioxidants after exercise is also beneficial for muscle recovery. Antioxidants neutralize exercise-induced free radicals.
How much pomegranate juice should I drink a day?
As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t drink more than a glass of pomegranate juice a day. Two 12 oz glasses of pomegranate juice have nearly 100 grams of sugars! That’s too much for most people.
Prefer eating whole pomegranate seeds, instead. They contain more fiber and fewer calories!
