The Sparta, Michigan-based company claimed it is the first of the top five national juice makers to launch a beverage containing pomegranate - until now, they said, this market was limited to smaller speciality producers that sell their products at a higher price than Old Orchard.
"The leading researcher and producer of pomegranate juice charges more than $3.00 for a 16-oz. bottle," said Michael McDonald, vice president of sales and marketing.
When compared to 40 other fresh fruits and vegetables, the blueberry ranked first in its antioxidant activity, according to research by the USDA Human Nutrition Center. Antioxidants are important to the body as they battle naturally occurring unstable oxygen molecules - called free radicals - in the body that are associated with cancer, heart disease and the effects of aging.
The pomegranate, meanwhile, is packed with polyphenols, the antioxidants found in all plants.
McDonald believed his company's new product will be popular with consumers who want the benefits of cranberry or grapefruit juice, but don't enjoy the taste of these more bitter fruits