Pomegranates are one of the healthiest fruits we know of. Studies show that it has multiple benefits for our bodies including lowering the risk of many diseases. It contains many nutrients and vitamins that help our body grow and heal.
Pomegranate is the fruit of the deciduous shrub. Its family classification is known as the Lythraceae, and its sub-family is the Puniciodease. Pomegranates grow between 16-33 feet in height. It originated from the region of Iran to northern India, and it has been grown and farmed in the Mediterranean region since ancient times. It was introduced to Spanish America in the late 16th century and is now widely spread throughout the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is farmed from the month of October to the month of February, and in the Southern Hemisphere from March to May.
The Health benefits of Pomegranates are many and they include, being a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, and many other very important nutrients. Chronic inflammation is one of the leading causes of serious diseases such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
1. Pomegranate has anti-inflammatory effects
One thing that makes pomegranates so healthy is that they have an impressive anti-inflammatory effect on our bodies. The antioxidant properties of the punicalagin found in pomegranate are one of the main reasons that make the fruit have anti-inflammatory effects.
2. Pomegranate helps in fighting many types of cancers
Pomegranate helps fight prostate cancer, a common type of cancer in men, and breast cancer, which is most common in women though it could also infect men. Studies suggest that the extract of pomegranate slows the reproduction of cancer cells, and it also causes the death of cancer cells. Men whose PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) levels double in a short amount of time are more likely to die from prostate cancer. A human study found that drinking 237ml of pomegranate juice per day increases the PSA, doubling the time from 15 to 54 months.
3. It helps lower blood pressure levels
High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of heart attacks and strokes. But consuming pomegranate juice has proven to lower high blood pressure (hypertension) drastically. A study conducted on people with high blood pressure shows that after an intake of 150ml of pomegranate juice daily for two weeks, immensely decreased their blood pressure levels.
4. Pomegranate helps reduce the risk of heart disease
Not only does it lower blood pressure, but it also reduces the risk of heart disease. Many factors come into effect for someone to have heart disease. The fatty acids found in pomegranate help protect against the many steps in the process of heart disease. A study was conducted on 51 people with high triglyceride levels, after taking 800ml of pomegranate seed oil every day for 4 weeks their triglyceride levels decreased significantly, and their triglyceride-HDL ratio improved. Another study showed the effect of pomegranate on people with type 2 diabetes, there was a significant reduction of bad LDL cholesterol. Pomegranate also seems to affect both animals and humans in protecting their LDL cholesterol particles from oxidation.
5. It helps protect us from bacteria, viruses, and fungi
Pomegranate has plant compounds that help in protecting us from antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal infections. That could help in fighting against gum disease, yeast infection, gingivitis, and many other bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
6. Pomegranate could significantly improve one’s memory
Pomegranate could also help in improving one’s memory. One study showed that once given 2 grams of pomegranate extract, surgical patients were prevented from losing their memory after surgery. 28 adults who complain about memory problems were given 237ml of pomegranate juice to drink daily, after a while of conducting the experiment their verbal and visual memory seemed to have improved significantly.
Pomegranates are filled with nutrients and very powerful plant compounds. They help in fighting many diseases and illnesses. If you want to get all the great elements that pomegranate has to offer you should start taking the fruit. There are many ways in which you can prepare this fruit that tastes like cranberry and is sweet and sour at the same time.
