Pomegranate – Uses & Health Benefits

Pomegranate

In our latitudes, the pomegranate usually goes on sale in autumn. Not least because of its many seeds, the fruit is a symbol of having children and fertility in Asia. The fruit is not only popular in desserts or as an accompaniment to game dishes, its ingredients also make the pomegranate medicinally valuable.

Definition and Occurrence

The pomegranate, also known as grenadine, belongs to the willow-rich family. The genus Punica represents the subfamily Punicoideae with only two species. In some writings, this subspecies is also referred to as a separate monotypic plant family. Punica in this context represents a derivation of the Latin word “Punic”, which stands for the Phoenicians in their Roman designation.

The numerous seeds contained in the pomegranate have given it the name “granatum” for “core” or “seed”. Pomegranate bushes can grow up to five meters high and live for more than 100 years. Since the history of the fruit can be traced back more than 5,000 years, the question of its exact origin remains largely unanswered. The fruit is believed to have originated in western or central Asia.

The pomegranate is already mentioned in the Bible as a symbolic fruit. Its core count is 613, equivalent to the laws written in the Old Testament. The distribution area of ​​the fruit extends from Turkey via Georgia, Armenia, Uzbekistan or Tajikistan to Pakistan, Iran and China. Pomegranates are also cultivated in the Mediterranean region today.

Ingredients, effect and dosage

The pomegranate is not only popular as a tasty fruit, its ingredients also justify its value in medicine, which goes back thousands of years. The fruit contains larger amounts of polyphenols, anthocyanins, ellagitannins and other flavonoids . Furthermore, vitamin C , iron , calcium and the punicic acid contained in the seed oil are valuable components of pomegranates. Measured per 100 grams, the fresh pomegranate has 74 calories, 0.63 grams of fat, 0.75 grams of protein and 16.75 grams of carbohydrates .Its antioxidants make the pomegranate particularly valuable. The number of these radical scavengers is even said to dwarf the concentration in red wine or blueberry juice . The potassium it contains is valuable for muscle building , nerves and the heart . The pomegranate can be helpful for cardiovascular diseases, inflammation or even prostate cancer. Even a glass of pomegranate juice can have a direct impact on health, even if there are no corresponding studies and the vitamin C content is lower than widely assumed.

If you want to use the natural active ingredients for body and soul, you should use pomegranate juice. It is important to ensure that this is the mother juice, to which no other additives have been added. Caution is advised when using the juice, because the tannic acid it contains can lead to very stubborn stains on clothing.

Pomegranates can also be hollowed out with a spoon, similar to a kiwi . The trade today offers a few other dosage forms. These include capsules with pomegranate extract, pomegranate wine, the seed oil of the fruit or various cosmetic products. The recommended dosage is around 500 mg polyphenols per day. Since the pomegranate products on offer vary greatly in terms of quality, attention must be paid to the polyphenol content. Organic quality is generally recommended for the pomegranate.

What does the pomegranate help against?

importance to health

Pomegranates were used for medicinal purposes as early as the Middle Ages. For example, the bark and root of the fruit should help against tapeworms. Recently, numerous scientific studies have shown that the pomegranate has a positive healing effect on cardiovascular problems, arthritis or cancer. Since the majority of the studies have been carried out with animals or with cell cultures, it cannot be said with 100% probability that the effect also applies to humans in every case.

There are still no usable results from ongoing clinical studies in prostate cancer patients. It can be safely assumed that the high concentration of polyphenols underpins a positive health aspect of the pomegranate. Studies have shown that fermented juice can double the potency of fresh juice. Pomegranate juice can slow down the spread of tumors by killing the abnormal cells or turning them back into healthy cells.

Corresponding studies are to be expanded in the future in order to be able to substantiate the healing effects of pomegranates. With its valuable ingredients, pomegranate can counteract high blood pressure and various stress factors.The cells become more resistant to free radicals and the general defenses are strengthened. The blood circulation in the heart muscle can be improved and the pomegranate can also provide valuable services for joint problems. Likewise, when it comes to preventing dementia or slowing down the aging process, it can be assumed that the pomegranate will have a positive effect.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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