Benefits of Pomegranate

Pomegranate is a thick skinned super seedy fruit, with a brilliant red hue which is now touted as a wonder fruit by scientific researchers. The name pomegranate derives from the French word “pomegranate” or seeded apple. They are believed to have originated in Iran and brought to Egypt in 1600 BC, where it was not only revered as an important food source but was also widely used for its medicinal value. It was held in high esteem even during those times, as it is evident by their depiction in Egyptian paintings and tombs. Inspired by the abundance of jewel toned seeds within the bright red rind, pomegranate is considered to be a symbol of fertility and prosperity in some cultures.

Pomegranate Juice – A Super food For Good Skin, Hair And Health:

Drinking pomegranate juice benefits our health and skin in a myriad of ways. It is one of the few fruits whose juice is as beneficial as the fruit itself.  This is because the peel contains the maximum amount of antioxidants which are released in abundance when the fruit is squeezed while juicing. It is currently ranked alongside blue berries and green tea for its nutritional benefits.

Some people might find it a bit cumbersome to deal with the little seeds, which is why, extracting its juice is the best way to utilize the benefits of pomegranate juice. Drinking it allows for a quick and easy assimilation of all the nutrients found in the bloodstream by the body. In comparison to other fruits, pomegranates contain the maximum amount of anti-oxidants. It contains approximately 3 times more antioxidants than green tea and oranges.

A single glass of pomegranate juice can provide you with 40% of the daily requirement of folic acid and vitamins A, C, and E. Freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, being completely unprocessed, triumphs over packaged juice any day, as it retains the maximum number of vitamins. Make sure that the juice is unsweetened as sugar being inflammatory can counteract some of the health benefits of this fruit.

MORE POTASSIUM

Those aforementioned antioxidants protect against dialysis-related infections, or kidney diseases, as well as cardiovascular complications (think of high blood pressure). 

CURB YOUR HUNGER

vitamin C accounts for nearly 40 percent of the daily recommended amount, while they work to lower blood pressure and satiate hunger due to high levels of fiber

PLAQUE PROTECTION

Some more good news for pomegranate juice drinkers: It protects against dental plaque microorganisms. 

AND CANCER PROTECTION

A study from the University of California, Riverside found components of pomegranate juice may stop prostate cancer cells from moving, while also weakening the chemical signals that promote this kind of cancer to spread in the first place. And in a separate study, Israeli researchers found pomegranate juice may prevent and destroy breast cancer cells 

STABLE psa LEVELS

Prostate cancer patients may also experience lowered levels of a prostate-specific antigen (P.S.A) when they drink 8 ounces of pomegranate juice each day, found this study from the University of California, Los Angeles. The National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health psa is a protein produced by cells of the prostate gland, and while there aren’t normal or abnormal Psa levels, studies show men with levels below 4.0 have prostate cancer, whereas men with high levels don’t.

SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL

If you do skip the fruit and go right for the juice, be mindful of the brand. Last summer, Minute Maid’s pomegranate and blueberry juice was found to consist mostly of harvested apple and grape juices. But POM Wonderful is, in fact, 100 percent pomegranate juice; it is "superior" to other juices, UCLA researchers said. Their research showed it packs more antioxidants than grape, blueberry, and orange juices.