Today, many people are looking for foods that they can eat to improve their health.
The pomegranate is an amazing fruit, packed with antioxidants and a host of nutrients that make it beneficial for many different health conditions. If you’re looking to add pomegranate to your diet, here is a look at some of the health benefits of the fruit.
What does “pomegranate” mean?
Pomegranate means “seeded apple.” It belongs to the family Lythraceae, which also includes shrubs like japanese kerria. The pomegranate tree itself is native to Iran, northern India and neighboring countries in Asia where it has been grown for thousands of years. It was introduced to California by Spanish missionaries in 1769.
Pomegranate is an amazing fruit, packed with antioxidants and a host of nutrients that make it beneficial for many different health conditions.
Image by Manfred Richter from Pixabay
Health benefits of pomegranate
As mentioned above, the pomegranate itself contains tons of antioxidants, including vitamin C and E as well as polyphenols , which are plant compounds that have protective antioxidant effects on cells in the body. These compounds can protect against oxidation damage to DNA. Vitamin E has important functions within the blood vessels themselves while vitamin C works with other antioxidants to improve their efficiency. Pomegranate juice is also rich in ellagic acid , which is known to prevent cancer cell proliferation (formation). It’s also high in punicic acid , which has been studied for its anti-cancer properties.
Some research suggests that pomegranate juice could be beneficial in the treatment of erectile dysfunction . This is due to its ability to relax blood vessels, but more research is needed to confirm this effect. An article in the “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” found that pomegranate also has antimicrobial properties against various types of bacteria and fungi when applied topically. Pomegranate may have benefits for skin specifically through its antioxidant content, including protection from ultraviolet light damage or skin aging caused by it.
Pomegranate may help lower blood sugar levels by decreasing insulin resistance and lowering triglycerides . It can also lower cholesterol levels since it contains fiber and pectin, which attach to cholesterol particles in the blood stream and help remove them from the body.
Overall, adding pomegranates to your diet can provide a wealth of health benefits. They are a delicious fruit that can be eaten fresh or juiced, and they’re also available as a dried fruit or in supplement form. So why not add this amazing fruit to your next shopping list?