11 Impressive Health Benefits of Pomegranate

Pomegranate health benefits includes cancer prevention, support a healthy heart, has aphrodisiac properties, helps prevent arthritis and joint pain, lowers blood pressure, prevent bacterial infections and serve as workout snacks. Other benefits includes source of energy, support digestion, fights free radicals and supply the body with antioxidants and multiple vitamins.

What is Pomegranate?

The origin of Pomegranates fruit dates back to Egypt thousands of years ago where it was thought to be a royal fruit. The real place of its origin has yet to be pinpointed; there are theories that suggest the fruit was first cultivated and consumed in Iran or Persia. There are records that indicate this fruit being brought to China in around 100 B.C.

This delicious red fruit is not just known as the pomegranate, but is called different names in different places, for example, the Romans used to call it “Punic Apple”. The scientific name of this fruit is Punicum granatum.

Fun fact: In ancient Greece, it was believed that pomegranate is the fruit of the dead and was formed from the blood of Adonis, the god of desire and beauty.

The pomegranate is a jewel-like fruit, which has its own unique crimson shine. This fruit grows on a shrub and is drought tolerant. They are classified as berries, its flowering starts in spring and the fruit matures in about 6 to 7 months. Pomegranates, like the pineapple have a crown too. It has been known for ages to heal the body and mind.

There are innumerable benefits in this fruit. It is packed full of vitamins and minerals. One serving of this fruit contains 3.5 grams of fiber, 33mg of folate, 205mg potassium, 8.9 mg vitamin C, and 14.3 mg of vitamin K. It is also a good source of carbohydrates and provides up to 16.3 grams per serving. This composition helps the body in absorbing more iron from the food we consume.

11 Impressive Health Benefits of Pomegranate

1. Cancer Prevention

Also full of antioxidants, there are also studies that show the anti-tumor properties of the pomegranate seeds. There are also studies that have discovered the presence of punicic acid in pomegranate, which is a type of omega-5 poly-saturated fatty acid. This targets breast cancer cells, killing them effectively.  Pomegranates also help reduce the chances of prostate cancer in men. They inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells. Other plant based chemicals present in the Pomegranate seeds are also seen to protect the body from any cancerous cells.

2. A Healthy Heart

Cholesterol build up in the arteries is the main reason for most people suffering from heart conditions and are at risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke eve. Pomegranate juice is comparatively higher in antioxidants when its seeds are crushed along with it. This helps clear the arteries of cholesterol and maintain heart health. Many studies show the positive effects of pomegranate juice on blood pressure. Eating it fully will also flush your arteries of LDL (bad cholesterol).

3.  Aphrodisiac Properties

Many studies have shown that pomegranate juice increases the salivary testosterone, which has a positive effect on your mood and has a good effect on your genital health. It has been believed for centuries that pomegranate has properties that help increase fertility. It also helps with other sexual dysfunctions.

4.  Prevents Arthritis and Joint Pain

Arthritis is a chronic illness caused by severe joint inflammation.  Pomegranates have antioxidants that help calm the body and reduce inflammation. Several tests have been carried out on animals, which show a significant decrease in collagen-induced arthritis.It is also a relief for rheumatoid arthritis. There are studies show that pomegranate may help prevent the production of the cartilage destroying enzymes that the body produces when suffering from arthritis.

5. Lower Blood Pressure

Pomegranates help control blood pressure. Blood pressure often leads to other heart issues and there are many conventional medicines there for it. However, pomegranate juice and pulp is a natural way to manage blood pressure.

6. Prevents from Bacterial Infections

There are many microorganisms around us that we often fail to notice. These are responsible for infections such as Candida and other viral infections and diseases. Pomegranate seeds and pulp have antibacterial properties that help stop viruses and also helps the dental cavity stay free from germs.

7. Workout Snack

It is best to eat healthy carbohydrates before hitting the gym. Pomegranates contain a high amount of carbohydrates that help retain the energy throughout your workout. There are dietary nitrates present in the pomegranate juice and pulp that help maintain a balanced level of energy for working out.

8. Source of Energy

We often choose to drink energy drinks and other harmful artificial things to help us stay energetic. Pomegranate juice contains sugars and vitamins that help maintain a high level of energy throughout the day. The carbohydrates help provide a lot of energy to the body. Carbohydrates are the body’s favorite source of energy. 90% of the calories in pomegranate are from the carbohydrates present in it.

9.  Helps in Digestion

A lot of gut related problems in the body take form due to poor digestion. The fiber present in the pomegranates helps maintain a healthy gut. It has also been observed to reduce the chances of Crohn’s disease and the development stomach ulcers. Pomegranate juice should be used on a daily basis, but not on days you have diarrhea. For a healthy gut, the best way is to eat it whole.

10. Antioxidants

Antioxidants are extremely necessary for a healthy and balanced functioning of your vital organs body. There are many diseases that can be avoided with an adequate consumption of antioxidants. They fight free radicals that have an adverse effect on our bodies. This is also beneficial in the anti-aging regime. Antioxidants help build a wall that protects the body both externally and internally.

The antioxidants in pomegranates are three times more powerful than the amount of antioxidants in red wine and matcha tea.

11. Multiple Vitamins

There is a lot of awareness regarding the importance of vitamins for our body. There are many vitamin supplements that are made conventionally to help deal with the deficiencies. There is an abundance of vitamins in the pomegranate such as vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin K. A daily intake of whole pomegranate or juiced pomegranate will help get an adequate amount of nutrients.

Bottom Line

The importance of pomegranate in our diets cannot be denied. It is a delicious fruit with multiple benefits. This also helps build immunity and aids in weight loss. It can add a tangy flavor to your food without harmful chemicals and excessive calories.

There are multiple phytonutrients and plant compounds that are hardly found in other fruits, such as the presence of punicalagins.