In ancient records red pomegranate seeds are compared to blood. This fruit originates from Persia and has long been a symbol of good health.
The pomegranate is a juicy, sweet fruit that is extremely rich in nutrients which makes it very popular around the world.
The fruit has an outside skin that is very leathery texture and may be orange-yellow, red or purple.
It is only the seeds that are edible and they are found inside this large, hexagonal-shaped fruit.
An average pomegranate contains about 600 seeds that are surrounded by white pith.
Traditionally, pomegranate has been used for a variety of health conditions, such as diarrhea, bleeding gums, against hemorrhoids, acne and cataracts.
Pomegranate is still considered one of the most beneficial fruits on the planet, and what were once beliefs and myths, is now confirmed by science.
Pomegranate Seeds Nutrition Info
Pomegranate fruit contains a lot of vitamin C, only 100 grams of this fruit will satisfy about 15 percent of your daily needs for this vitamin.
Vitamin C helps with immune system functions and wound healing. It also aids with iron absorption.
Pomegranate seeds include vitamin K which is important for maintaining strong, healthy bones, as well as proper blood clotting.
The juicy fruit is also high in phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, zinc and iron.
Pomegranates are filled with manganese which helps form bones during the metabolic process and potassium that helps maintain cellular functions and balance the body’s fluid levels.
In addition, this fruit is an excellent source of potassium, which is important for heart and muscle health.
This fruit is rich in substances that have a strong antibacterial and antifungal effect, so it is a good prevention of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity, such as gingivitis.
Pomegranates have very little fat and do not contain cholesterol. The average fruit has only 130-150 calories, with about 105 calories being from the seeds. These seeds are high in calories because they contain unsaturated oils.
It also contains a lot of sugar, but that shouldn’t worry you, since it is rich in fiber, which will keep blood glucose levels stable.
Pomegranate Seeds Health Benefits
Increasing numbers of scientific studies are proving what it many cultures have known for centuries: pomegranates are really a wonder fruit.
For anyone who doesn’t regularly eat pomegranates, or drink pomegranate juice, here are proven health benefits of pomegranate seeds.
Antioxidants In Pomegranate
Pomegranate juice has about 3 times the antioxidants as wine. Antioxidants confront free radicals — toxic molecules that can impair your DNA and cells.
When things are wrong on cellular level, then many diseases can occur, including various forms of cancer.
Pomegranate Protects Your Heart
The National Academy of Sciences found that pomegranate juice combats hardening of the arteries and related diseases like heart attacks and strokes in a study.
It appears to limit the genetic predisposition toward hardening of the arteries.
In another study, patients with coronary heart disease who drank pomegranate juice every day for three months had blood flow to the heart improve by about 17 percent.
The blood flow to the heart declined by 18 percent in the men on a placebo.
Another research discovered that pomegranates can lower blood pressure. If you have a problem with high blood pressure, the active ingredients of pomegranate will lower it very quickly.
The high amounts of iron in pomegranates will also raise hemoglobin levels in the blood to help cure anemia.
Protect for Newborns
Consumption of pomegranate fruit in pregnancy has a positive effect on prenatal growth and development of the child, especially the brain.
A study published in Pediatric Research found that drinking pomegranate juice during pregnancy helped protect newborns’ brains during difficult births.
Babies can be given pomegranate juice from the age of 8 months, while whole seeds are recommended for children older than 3 years. The daily amount of juice for an 8-month-old baby should be a maximum of 120 ml.
Special attention should be paid to allergic reactions since it can cause allergies.
Fights Osteoarthritis
According to a study at Case Western Reserve University, the extract cuts levels of an inflammatory chemical called interleukin-1b in lab tests.
Researchers said their findings show that pomegranate fruit or compounds derived from it may prevent cartilage destruction in osteoarthritis and may also be a useful nutritive supplement for maintaining joint integrity and function.
Keeps Prostate Cancer from Returning
One research discovered that pomegranate juice may prevent the return of prostate cancer after surgery or radiation treatment.
During the study, the level of PSA (prostate-specific antigens) produced by cancer cells in men was tested. PSA levels would double in 54 months in men who consumed a glass of pomegranate juice daily, and in those who did not drink juice in just 15 months.
Although it is still not known why pomegranate works in this way, the results of the research clearly show that it slows down the growth of prostate cancer by a third.
Respondents’ PSA production was slowed despite the fact that they only drank pomegranate juice and did not use expensive drugs or conventional cancer therapy.
Helps Lower Bad Cholesterol
This fruit contains antioxidants and vitamin C, which reduce LDL and help reduce plaque caused by the deposition of excess fat, calcium and other elements.
Pomegranate Fights Breast Cancer
In addition to antioxidants, pomegranates also contain phytochemicals that reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Estrogen plays a major role in developing breast cancer cells, but phytochemicals produce an acid that inhibits the body’s production of estrogen.
Israeli researchers discovered that pomegranate extract has a stronger effect than the drugs estradiol and tamoxifen. Pomegranate reduces the risk of estrogen-induced breast cancer.
Pomegranate Fights Dental Plaque
Pomegranates don’t just fight the plague that builds up in a person’s arteries; this super fruit also fights dental plaque.
Pomegranate extract removes the plaque that causes the bacteria that leads to gum disease.
Pomegranate Seeds Against Aging
From warding off cancer to easing arthritis pain, pomegranates are useful for treating a number of ailments associated with aging.
A 2006 study also found that polyphenols in pomegranates reduce buildup of brain plaque (proteins). Brain plaque damages and disrupts brain communication and can eventually lead to the memory loss and cognitive decline that characterize Alzheimer’s disease.
Pomegranates can help to prevent hyperpigmentation, age spots, fine lines and wrinkles that are often caused by sun damage.
Pomegranate For Weight Loss
As with many fruits, pomegranate seeds are low in calories and rich in fiber, providing only 83 calories and 4 g of dietary fiber per 100 g serving.
A 100-g serving is the same as about 3/4 cup. According to the dietary guidelines for Americans, for good health with a 2000-calorie diet, a person should consume 2 cups of fruit and 2½ cups of vegetables per day.
Read More: Is Pomegranate Good For Weight Loss?
Boosts Digestive Condition
Pomegranate juice helps users with the production of enzymes in the stomach with anti-bacterial traits, helping with digestion and fighting off dysentery, intestinal parasites, nausea, hemorrhoids, piles and diarrhea.
People with constipation can also use pomegranate juice as a laxative.
Pomegranate Is Good For Erection
According to scientists, pomegranate juice can greatly help men in bed. Nearly half of men who have been drinking pomegranate juice for a month experienced better potency.
Pomegranate juice is rich in antioxidants that increase blood flow to the penis. Just like impotence medications, antioxidants raise the level of nitric oxide (NO) that relaxes blood vessels walls.
Pomegranate juice has great potential in treating erectile dysfunction.
Benefits Of Pomegranate For Skin
Pomegranate protects the layers of the skin by aiding in the repair of tissues, encouraging skin cell regeneration, healing wounds and encouraging circulation to skin that is healing.
Because pomegranates help to soften the skin and produce additional elastin and collagen, it can make a person’s skin look firmer, smoother and more youthful.
Pomegranates are often added to skin care products because the fruit has a molecular structure that can penetrate deep into layers of most skin types to provide additional moisturizing.
With all these amazing antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, pomegranate makes the skin radiant. It helps with many skin problems, from dry skin to age spots, hyperpigmentation, inflammatory acne and scars.
Pomegranate Is One Of The Healthiest Fruits!
Fall marks the beginning of many things: colorful foliage, cool weather, trips to the pumpkin patch and savory, delicious autumn foods such as soups, stews and pies.
Fall also marks the start of pomegranate season. Nutritious, delicious and fun to eat, Pomegranate seeds offer a host of health benefits.
