Pomegranate and its benefits
Pomegranate is one of the healthiest fruits that people use for centuries around the world as a medicine. The pomegranate is a rich source of nutrients and antioxidants that can benefit many aspects of health. This wonderful fruit is often used to treat indigestion, diarrhea, and fevers, offering other health benefits. Pomegranate contains elements, which may help prevent cancer and heart disease. Not only its ruby red or pink granules, but also peel and seeds have tons of benefits for skin, hair, blood and internal organs. The seeds in this fruit are effective in lowering blood pressure, reducing cholesterol levels and improving circulation. This article will discuss more on pomegranate and its health benefits.
Origin of Pomegranate
The native country of the pomegranate was Iran, but it has been widely cultivated in India, Central Asia and the Mediterranean territory. Some people also call it “Chinese apple” even though it wasn’t originated from China. From the ancient times people knew about the benefits of the pomegranate and used it for different purposes. Ancient Egyptians used pomegranate peel to dye leather. In ancient Greece people used pomegranate seeds and peel as birth control. In Turkey high quality wine was made from pomegranate. Moreover, in many countries this fruit symbolizes fertility and abundance.
Pomegranate is one of the rare fruits that have benefits in every part of it: fruit, juice, seeds, and peel. It can taste sweet or a bit sour and it brings amazing flavor to salads and desserts. In some countries people value the pomegranate juice as “the elixir of youth”. Let’s look more deeply on the benefits of the pomegranate for health and beauty.
Health Benefits of Pomegranate
Fight Cancer
The antioxidant properties of pomegranates help reduce cancer risk as it destroys free radicals. The antioxidants present in pomegranates help fight against oxidative stress that causes damage to our DNA structure. This can lead to cancerous cells growing in our body, leading to various types of cancers like oral cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, etc.
Digestion
Pomegranates contain tannins, which help reduce inflammation of the digestive tract and prevent diarrhea by reducing intestinal spasms. These spasms can be caused by intestinal infections such as giardiasis or cholera. The vitamin C content in pomegranate helps maintain the integrity of the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract. Mucus membranes can help prevent toxins from entering the bloodstream and causing illness. Also, vitamin C helps heal wounds, so it helps treat gastric ulcers caused by bacteria or viruses infecting the stomach lining.
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Heart Health Benefits
The antioxidant polyphenols in pomegranate are beneficial for heart health. They reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), which may help prevent heart disease. In addition, pomegranate’s antioxidant properties boost nitric oxide production, which widens blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.
Blood Pressure
According to a study published in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry, the antioxidants in pomegranates may help lower blood pressure. As a result, this prevents damage to arteries and regulates blood flow. This can help protect against stroke, heart disease, and other complications related to high blood pressure.
Arthritis
Pomegranate juice helps reduce inflammation in the body, which may help reduce pain associated with arthritis. This juice can help reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis by lowering C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP is an inflammatory marker found in the blood.
Memory
Pomegranates contain high amounts of vitamin C, which plays a vital role in brain health by supporting memory and mental cognition. The flavonoids in pomegranates also have anti-inflammatory properties. That means, it may contribute to better cognitive function and lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Urinary Health
Pomegranates are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties, which can help ease bladder infections caused by E. coli bacteria or UTIs (urinary tract infections). Pomegranate polyphenols inhibited the growth of these bacteria in vitro by up to 40 percent after one hour of incubation at 37°C (98.6°F). This means that pomegranates may be able to help prevent urinary tract infections before they start!
Diabetes
Pomegranate is a great way to support your body’s ability to manage blood sugar. The fruit is full of antioxidants.So, it can help prevent diabetes by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.
Also, the pomegranate is rich in specific vitamins that play a crucial role in maintaining your blood sugar levels. Vitamin C helps with insulin resistance and improves glucose absorption into your cells, while vitamin K helps regulate blood clotting and prevents your blood from becoming too thick. A study published in the journal Diabetes Care found that drinking pomegranate juice reduced fasting blood sugar levels and improved insulin sensitivity in women with type 2 diabetes.
Rich in Antioxidants
Pomegranates are one of the richest sources of antioxidants. These antioxidants help prevent damage to cells by free radicals. As a result, it reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases. Besides that, pomegranate juice may help fight inflammation in the body.
Have Antimicrobial Properties
Pomegranates have been used to remedy gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and dysentery for centuries. Extracts from pomegranates can kill bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus (Staph). In addition, these extracts may be helpful against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacteria that causes ulcers in your stomach or intestine.
Benefits of drinking pomegranate juice
Natural juice of pomegranate without sugar and sodium also has great benefits to the human body. For example, pomegranate juice is good in supporting heart health and joints health. Moreover, juice contains fewer calories than the fruit itself, so you can add it to your diet without hesitation. It is a good source of:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Potassium
- Iron
- Folate
- Calcium
Pomegranate juice as well as the pomegranate fruit provides many benefits to our body, people who have allergy to this fruit or suffer from colitis better avoid eating them.
Benefits of Pomegranate peels
After eating pomegranate don’t hurry to throw away peels, because they are for more beneficial than you expect. You can keep the peels in a dried form or in a form of powder just by grinding after they are completely dry. Here are the benefits you can get from pomegranate peels:
- Improves skin condition. High level of antioxidants and polyphenols in pomegranate peel help to treat hyperpigmentation. Moreover, a mask with peel powder is very effective in fighting acne.
- Improves dental health. Pomegranate peel has strong antibacterial features and rinsing mouth with peel extract prevents tooth decay and treats oral diseases.
- Has antibacterial properties. Antibacterial properties of pomegranate peel are effective in treating sore throats and improve wound healing.
Wrapping Up
The pomegranate is a fruit native to the Middle East, but it has been cultivated in many warmer regions, including China and India. The pomegranate is a round fruit with numerous seeds inside. The outside skin of the fruit can be red, orange, or yellow. The pomegranate has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It is one of the best fruits for having antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer properties. Furthermore, it is also effective in heart disease prevention and cholesterol-lowering function. In addition, it may help regulate blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
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