Health Benefits of Pomegranates

The Pomegranate is a Superfruit High in Antioxidants and Vitamin C

Oct 14, 2008

Pomegranate seeds and juice are naturally packed with flavor and nutrients. This superfruit is typically available in the cooler months of September through January.

In the Southern Hemisphere, however, the pomegranate season is from March through May. This means that pomegranates may be available off-season in developed parts of the world.

Although the pomegranate has been cultivated and prized for thousands of years in the Mediterranean and Africa, it is actually native to the East, where it originally grew between Iran and the Himalaya Mountains in India.

Spanish settlers introduced the pomegranate to North and Latin America in the late 1700s. Today, a thriving pomegranate industry is based primarily in California and Arizona. The seeds and juice of pomegranates vary from a pale white to vibrant red, and are valued not only for their naturally tart to sweet taste, but also for their health benefits.

Pomegranates are a Superfruit

The term “superfruit” refers to a fruit that's not only nutrient-dense and high in antioxidants, but one that has the ability to affect cell and molecular structure, and the potential to be beneficial to overall health.

Pomegranates are estimated to have three to seven times as much antioxidant value as green tea. Antioxidants are important to the human body because they help reduce the harmful effects of oxidants, or “free radicals,” and can help repair damage already done to cells.

Pomegranates are also high in Vitamin C and fiber, and contain the minerals iron, potassium and calcium. Other nutrients include Vitamin A, Vitamin E and folic acid.

Pomegranates Promote a Healthy Heart

Clinical research shows that pomegranates, when part of a healthy diet, might help prevent heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. This is because pomegranates have the potential to thin the blood, increase blood flow to the heart, reduce blood pressure, reduce plaque in the arteries, and reduce bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol.

Pomegranates as a Treatment for Cancer, Osteoarthritis and Other Diseases

The pomegranate has been used in natural and holistic medicine to treat sore throats, coughs, urinary infections, digestive disorders, skin disorders, arthritis, and to expel tapeworms. However, modern research suggests that pomegranates might be useful in treating such serious conditions as prostate cancer, skin cancer, osteoarthritis, and diabetes. Studies also show that pomegranate seeds might help rid the digestive system of fats.

How to Seed and Juice Pomegranates

The juice-containing seeds are the edible part of a pomegranate. The hard rind, and the membrane which holds the seeds, should be discarded.

To remove the seeds, cut the pomegranate in sections and hold a section seed-side down over a bowl. Hit the rind of the pomegranate with something hard, such as the back of a spoon, and the seeds will dislodge from the membrane and drop into the bowl.

The seeds can be eaten whole, or passed through a juicer, fruit juice press or food mill to extract their juice. Sugar, lemon juice, orange flower water, and cinnamon might be added to both the seeds and juice.

Pomegranate Products

A number of products exist for consuming or cooking with pomegranates. Among them are grenadine syrup, pomegranate juice concentrate, bottled pomegranate juices, frozen pomegranate seeds, dried pomegranate seeds, pomegranate extracts, and pomegranate supplements. The fresh seeds and juice, however, usually offer the best nutritional and superfruit value.

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The copyright of the article Health Benefits of Pomegranates in Holistic Nutrition is owned by Christine Benlafquih. Permission to republish Health Benefits of Pomegranates in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.