There are a number of health benefits of pomegranate that makes this delicious fruit very special. The most outstanding property of pomegranate is its antioxidant capabilities. It contains one of the highest amounts of antioxidant among the fruits.
This highly nutritious pomegranate is not very easy to eat. You need to remove the hard shell before you can get the seeds out. It is very easy to make a mess out of opening a pomegranate. The juicy seeds may leave stains on your clothes if you are not careful while removing them from the outer hard shell.
All the efforts to get the seeds out is well worth looking at the benefits pomegranate provides. You can always look to find a better way to extract the seeds from the pomegranate.
Pomegranate is also one of the highest foods in the scientific community. It is used in various medicines as the entire fruit from the seeds, peels to arils have medicinal values.
Pomegranate is categorized as a berry and is scientifically called Punica granatum. The thick skin of pomegranates is inedible. The seeds covered with juicy layer called arils are eaten raw or turned into juice to drink.
Pomegranate contains fiber, protein, vitamin C, vitamin K, Folate and potassium and plant compounds that give it medicinal value.
The antioxidant called Punica Laguna is one of the most powerful antioxidants found in both arils and the peels of pomegranates. The other important nutrients include Punica acid is also a beneficial fatty acid. These plant chemicals make pomegranate anti- inflammatory.
11 Health benefits of Pomegranate
Following are key health benefits of pomegranates
1. Lowers Blood Pressure Reduces Risks of Heart Diseases
High potassium content of pomegranate and antioxidants help in reducing blood pressure. Controlled blood pressure helps to reduce progression of coronary heart diseases if any.
It improves the blood flow in the arteries, decreasing the risks of heart failure and stroke. The antioxidants in the pomegranate lower bad cholesterol LDL in the blood which is one of the main causes of arterial blockages.
2. Helps Overcome Depression
The vitamin C and antioxidants in pomegranate gives a feel good sensation. It reduces depression.
3. Fights Bacterial and fungal infections
Pomegranate has very high levels of anti-bacterial and antifungal capabilities due to presence of punicic acid, ellagic acid, ellagitannins, flavonoids, anthocyanidins, anthocyanins, estrogenic flavonols and flavones and other numerous compounds. Pomegranate stimulates the probiotic bacteria. make a pomegranate smoothie for any stomach related infections.
4. Improves Memory
The polyphenol punicalagin found in pomegranate is anti-inflammatory and scientists have found that it can lower the amyloid plaque levels which are the main cause of memory loss and Alzheimer’s. The amyloid plaque gets accumulated between brain's nerve cells and stops communication between the cells.
5. Reduce Arthritis Pain
Pomegranate juice helps in reducing pain caused by osteoarthritis. It stops breaking down the connective tissues. The flavonoids in pomegranate are anti-inflammatory agents. If you are on any arthritis pain reduction medication then check with your doctor before starting to consume pomegranate juice therapy to see compatibility with the drugs you are taking.
6. Prevents Breast and Prostate Cancer
Pomegranate has been found to prevent and stop the progression of breast and prostate cancer. A study by University of California, Riverside found that the prostate cancer cells weaken in the presence of pomegranate compounds and stop progressing. In another study In Israel scientists found that the pomegranate juice prevents and destroys breast cancer cells.
Flavonoids in the pomegranate have the capabilities to counter the cancer radicals.
7. Fights Diabetes
It controls blood sugar and heals diabetic type 2. Diabetic conditions hasten the hardening of arterial walls causing coronary heart diseases.
8. Reduces Inflammation
The antioxidants present in the pomegranate helps reduce inflammations.
9. Resolves Stomach Disorders
Pomegranate peels in particular and bark and leaves in general can resolve stomach disorders such as diarrhea. Make a tes from the peel, bark or leaves or combination of all three to get rid of diarrhea.
10. Curbs Hunger
High Vitamin C content in the pomegranate builds energy and higher fiber contents in the pomegranate seeds keeps you satiated. The combined effect curbs the hunger.
11. Prevents Plaque Formation
The antibacterial capabilities of pomegranate help to reduce dental plaque. In different studies scientists have found 32% reduction of plaque among the pomegranate juice drinkers.
As you can realize, pomegranate is not only a tasty fruit but also provides multiple health benefits. Eat more pomegranate and drink its juice to become and stay healthy.