The Pomegranate Is the Pom: Nutritional Benefits of Pomegranate

Pomegranates provide a lot of health benefits. These strange, seedy fruits are frequently overlooked in favor of the more common suspects, such as apples and the all-powerful banana. But join us and we'll show you the immense health benefits concealed within its cryptic pith.

What are the advantages of pomegranates?

Pomegranates are full of health benefits in addition to being delicious. Here are five of the most important advantages:

1. Could be beneficial in the battle against cancer.
2. It's good for your heart and it could help you lose weight.
3. It's possible that it'll be beneficial to your entire physical and emotional wellness.
4. Anti-inflammation properties

Pomegranate nutrition facts

Wondering if pomegranates are good for you? Here’s what a 100 gram (g) serving has to offer:

Calories: 83 kcal

Carbs: 19 g

Sugar: 14 g

Fiber: 4 g

Protein: 2 g

Potassium: 236 mg

What exactly is a pomegranate?

The pomegranate shrub's fruit is crimson, spherical, and full of seeds. The seeds are encased in delectable juice sacs (aka arils). You can consume the arils by scooping them out of the skin. By the way, the fruit originated in the Mediterranean and is now grown all over the world.

What is the flavor of pomegranate?

The flavor of pomegranate arils is robust and sour, akin to citrus fruit. As the fruit ripens, the flavor becomes more sweeter. If you're looking for a fruit to compare its flavor to, consider raspberry, cranberry, or blackberry.

Is there any mention of pomegranates in Greek mythology?

What an unusually specific query! They do, however. When Hades kidnapped Persephone and took her to the underworld, he forced her to consume six pomegranate seeds in order for her to return to him once she was set free.

There is no documented medical link between pomegranates and Stockholm syndrome. The tale, on the other hand, demonstrates that humans have been eating this fruit for thousands of years.

Pomegranate health benefits

Pomegranates provide a lot of nutrients, as you can see from the nutritional information. This comes with a slew of benefits for your general well-being.

1. Pomegranates may aid in the battle against cancer.

Pomegranates have been shown to aid in the treatment of prostate and breast cancers in several studies.

A tiny study published in 2021 found that pomegranate fruit extract slows the progression of prostate cancer. According to a 2017 analysis, this could be confined to those with a specific genotype, but it's still a promising starting point for further research.

Another study from 2021 looked at the effects of several pomegranate varietals on breast cancer cells. It discovered some that have the ability to assault those cells and limit cancer's progression. More study on rodents appears to support this, but we definitely need more large-scale human trials to prove the benefits.

2. Pomegranates are heart-healthy.

The modest pomegranate has been shown in studies to be beneficial to your heart. This is fantastic news, as heart disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States.

Patients with heart disease who drank pomegranate juice had fewer and milder episodes of angina - pain caused by a reduction in blood flow to the heart — according to a 2017 study. The patients who drank pomegranate juice also had reduced amounts of the problem-causing troponin and malondialdehyde, according to the researchers.

Pomegranate juice also appears to have the same effects as other fruit juices. Our hearts appear to benefit from a combination of blood pressure lowering, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as other medicinal activities.

3. Pomegranates lower blood pressure and improve blood flow.

There's a lot of evidence that drinking pomegranate juice on a regular basis is excellent for your blood. It can help keep things moving, lower blood pressure, and reduce oxidative stress. Its effects may be beneficial even to persons with normal blood pressure.

PSA in the Penis: Some evidence suggests that pomegranate juice can aid with erectile dysfunction (ED). It softens the corpus cavernosum, the spongy tissue that hardens up the shaft of your johnson. It may also make it easier for blood to flow through it. Just keep in mind that more research is required.

4. Pomegranates are beneficial to both the body and the mind.

Pomegranates have been shown to improve cognitive performance. Drinking a glass of pomegranate juice every day can help middle-aged and older persons boost their memory. Recent mouse study suggests that this effect may be more positive than previously anticipated. But, hey, it's mice. As a result, take this study with a grain of salt.

It's also possible that the pom benefits extend to physical fitness. Many research back up the assumption that fruit extracts can help people exercise more effectively. However, further research is needed to establish how pomegranate seeds or juice can aid on their own.

5. Pomegranates have anti-inflammatory properties.

Pomegranate's potent anti-inflammatory properties have been demonstrated to aid in the treatment of inflammatory disorders such as:

Rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), metabolic and cardiovascular problems

Researchers are beginning to figure out which specific components of the fruit's juice are the most useful. The effects of pomegranate on human heart health have received a lot of investigation, while other areas have concentrated more on animals.

Including pomegranate juice in your regular diet, however, may have a beneficial effect on your body's inflammatory response. However, there isn't enough evidence to back up all of the claims.

What is the best way to eat a pomegranate?

Chowing down on a pomegranate can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. Simply cut one in half, grab a spoon, and begin nibbling on the arils. If you're in polite company and don't want to spit them out, pomegranate seeds are absolutely safe to eat. But don't eat the peel.

If you're making a recipe with pomegranates and need to pull the arils out of the tough outer shell intact, follow these steps:

Cut the pomegranate's tip off to expose the core and some of the arils.

On all four sides of the pomegranate, make a 2.5-inch deep cut.

To loosen the arils, soak it in a bowl of cold water for 5 minutes.

Break the apple into four parts with your hands while it's still submerged.

If you rub your thumb over the arils, they should be free and fall off the peel.

Place the arils in a container and set aside to dry for 5 minutes.

Enjoy your meal!

The pomegranate is a fruit with incredible versatility. The arils can be served and eaten on their own, or used to add flavor by sprinkling them over:

fruit salads

soups

cocktails

salads

desserts (especially chocolate )

What is the best way to choose the best pomegranate?

Check to see if your pomegranates were cultivated in the right climate, as this will effect when they're in season. They'll be in season from October to February if grown in the northern hemisphere. It's March through May if they're grown in the southern hemisphere.

When shopping for pomegranates, opt for the largest and heaviest ones. Fruits that are heavier are juicier. The color of the fruit's skin has nothing to do with how ripe it is. Just keep an eye out for pomegranates with bruised or blemished skin. Take notice of the smoothness, hardness, and stiffness of the material.