Health Benefits of Pomegranates
What is a pomegranate?
Pomegranate is more popular among many other fruits in terms of its taste and health benefits. In some places around the world, it is considered as a "lucky" fruit. The fruit is also considered as a traditional fruit and a part of many rituals. In some places, pomegranate is fed to the bride-to-be by grandmothers to bring luck, health, and happiness.
Pomegranates are widely available in different countries around the world. It is believed that the thick covering of this fruit and its seeds are full of flavonoids and antioxidants. Pomegranates offer many health benefits. Let’s discuss them one by one.
The Health Benefits of Pomegranate
1) Fights against cancer
The fruit has red-colored delicious seeds, which are full of antioxidants along with a high iron content and necessary vitamins. Pomegranate is a good anti-cancer fruit. When regularly consumed, it enables the body to fight the deadliest types of cancer such as breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer.
2) Helps prevent heart diseases
The wide range of antioxidants present in pomegranates helps in controlling cholesterol levels and all types of heart diseases, thereby keeping the heart healthy. Drinking pomegranate juice promotes good blood circulation and helps the body to function better.
3) Fertility fruit
In ancient Persia, pomegranates were considered as a symbol of fertility. Modern research studies have shown that pregnant women who drink pomegranate juice during pregnancy may boost the brain development of their babies since pomegranates contain high levels folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin K, and other minerals.
4) Enhances immunity
A medium-sized pomegranate fruit can have about 17 percent of the body's daily vitamin C requirement. It is essential and is useful in keeping the immune system strong. They say that you can have a pomegranate every day to boost your immunity and keep the doctor away.
5) Promotes good cholesterol
Pomegranate helps in providing abundant amounts of fatty acids and can help increase the level of good cholesterol (HDL) in the body.
6) Improves bone health
Bone density decreases as people age. Pomegranate seeds contain the natural hormone called estrogen, which can help keep your bones strong. The seeds are also full of calcium.
People who have osteoarthritis, which is a chronic joint pain, can regularly drink pomegranate juice to help strengthen weak joints and to overcome cartilage deterioration. Unsweetened pomegranate juice can help reduce the effects of arthritis and bone inflammation.
7) Prevents dental plaque
Drinking pomegranate juice is the best prevention for dental plaque. Recent research in the field of dental science has shown that the two main substances found in pomegranate (polyphenols and tannins) work against the formation of plaque. The regular consumption of pomegranate can help make your teeth stronger and better.
8) Aids in weight loss
Pomegranates are full of antioxidants, which help in controlling one's body weight. If you include pomegranate in your daily regular diet, then the fruit can help you lose extra calories. The fruit's high fiber content is quite effective in making people feel satiated after its consumption.
9) Prevents Alzheimer’s disease
One of the best health benefits of consuming pomegranates is that it can help slow down the progress of Alzheimer's disease. The fruit can help improve the patients' brain function, thereby allowing them to become more active in their everyday life.
10) Maintains skin health
The skin has a basic component called collagen, which makes your skin soft, smooth, and healthy. Pomegranates possess compounds that can prevent certain enzymes from breaking down collagen. The fruit also helps in the growth of fibroblasts, which produce fiber and elastin to can help your skin become supple and smooth.
Keratinocytes, the cells that produce keratin in skin, are also stimulated by the fruit. When these cells are abundant, they enable the skin to heal better by itself.
11) Relieves acne problems
Acne can occur when hair follicles in the skin are blocked by dead skin cells and excess sebum.
The vitamin C content of pomegranates can effectively regulate sebum production. It is also believed that pomegranate juice can prevent acne scars by enabling tissue regeneration in the affected areas of the skin.
12) Cures digestive problems
Pomegranate is also suitable for all kinds of digestive problems. It can help heal problems in the digestive system by enabling a healthy blood circulation.
Pomegranate for skin and hair
The fruit contains omega-5 fatty acids, which can prevent dry skin. It also possesses skin rejuvenating properties, helping you to have a smooth skin internally and externally. The oil from the pomegranate seeds is useful in strengthening the epidermis and keeps wrinkles under control. The fruit always repairs the skin against injuries or damages.
This delicious fruit also provides better hair solutions. Although pomegranate may not be directly involved in making the hair longer and stronger, it can certainly help you combat hair loss, split ends, and dandruff formation.
Iron deficiency anemia can also cause hair loss, but can be prevented by regularly consuming pomegranates.
Pomegranate Juice Health Benefits
1) Improves heart health
Pomegranate juice is great for heart health. Drinking the juice can help regulate one’s blood pressure at normal levels. The fruit also contains more antioxidants when compared to other types of fruit juices.
Research has shown that patients with carotid artery stenosis (narrowing of carotid arteries) had lower high blood pressure levels and reduced atherosclerotic plaque after pomegranate juice consumption.
2) Regulates blood sugar
Drinking pomegranate juice is highly beneficial for people who have diabetes. Its seed, flower, and juice may contain three antioxidant acids with anti-diabetic properties, according to the Journal of Medicinal Food in 2007.
3) Reduces the risk of cancer
Drinking pomegranate juice promotes the death of cancer cells and prevents its spread. It also minimizes inflammation in the body. The fruit possesses these three aspects in fighting against any type of cancer.
4) Treats diarrhea and dysentery
Pomegranate juice can help treat diarrhea and dysentery effectively. It enables the body to secrete the necessary enzymes for proper digestion. When honey is added into a glass of pomegranate juice, it makes a better medication for all types of digestive problems.
5) Immune system booster
Pomegranate juice is known for its antibacterial properties, which help get rid of viruses and other microorganisms that can weaken the immune system. Pomegranate works better in preventing HIV when compared to many other fruits.
6) Prevents anemia
When a person becomes anemic due to a red blood cell deficiency, then he or she should regularly drink pomegranate juice for a period of 2-3 weeks. The regular consumption of pomegranate juice can increase iron levels in the body, thereby treating and preventing anemia.
7) Revitalizes the heart, liver, & stomach
One more advantage of the pomegranate juice is that it is considered as the best solution for all types of digestive problems. The juice keeps the blood flow smooth and promotes the proper functioning of the heart and stomach. It helps the body to revitalize the functioning of the heart along with the liver and stomach.
It is one of the most preferred drinks during the summer season. It does not only allow people from getting thirsty from time to time, but it also allows the smooth functioning of the bowels and urinary tract. The fiber present in the juice helps in better digestion and it is often recommended for controlling and reducing weight.
8) Eliminate kidney stones
Pomegranate juice can also be used to effectively eliminate kidney stones and to improve erectile dysfunction in men.
9) Best prenatal diet
Pomegranate juice offers a complete pre-natal nutritious diet with various vitamins, minerals, and a good amount of iron.
It keeps the percentage of hemoglobin higher in blood. It makes a pregnant woman and her unborn baby healthy. The potassium content of pomegranate can help in preventing painful leg cramps during pregnancy.
It is recommended for pregnant women to regularly drink pomegranate juice to lower the risk of an immature delivery or low birth weight of babies.
10) Soothes dry skin
Pomegranate juice wonderfully works for all skin types, especially dry skin. Drinking pomegranate juice can help the skin become smoother, healthier, and more radiant-looking. It also helps in reducing the risk of having pimples and scars.
Pomegranate is one of the best fruits for our health. It works wonders and can make a person free from inflammation and certain diseases. The fruit is mostly available all year round and can be incorporated in dishes, recipes, and fruit juices, or can be simply eaten fresh.
