Pomegranate is a fruit that is not widely consumed.It is a fruit that is not widely consumed, so it can go somewhat unnoticed among the variety of fruits available for purchase.
Despite that, inside its compact rind this fruit treasures some sweet grains with magnificent properties useful for our health.
Being one of the fruits richest in vitamins and antioxidants, in this article we want to make known the properties and benefits of pomegranate. It is an excellent option to introduce in our diet to make it healthier and more balanced.
- Recommended article: “Apple: 13 properties and benefits of this fruit”.
What is the pomegranate?
This fruit has its origin in the area of Iran, although it has been known for millennia that it was in the Caucasus area. Over time it was adapted to the Mediterranean area and then reached other parts of the world. Its name comes from Latin, as the ancient Romans called it “malum granatum”, which means “apple with seeds”.
Although the fruit, seen from a distance, may look like an apple, it has little or nothing to do with it. Once we remove its hard, reddish rind we find inside a series of tightly packed pips or granules; a juicy inner fruit that is surprisingly divided.
The different granules are compacted with each other, and each of these little compartments contains a seed and a tasty pulp that covers it. While if we taste the skin we will notice a sour taste, these granules are tasty and even refreshing, as they contain water, sugars and different vitamins and minerals. contains water, sugars and different vitamins and minerals..
6 benefits and properties of pomegranate
Taking the fruit without further ado or consuming the fruit in juice form is the most common way to take advantage of its great benefits and properties. Even so, pomegranate can be used for everything: seeds, flowers, bark, etc. through extracts, oils or infusions.
Below we are going to see the main contributions that this fruit can give to our organism regardless of the way in which we consume it.
1. Nutritional contribution
Pomegranate is a fruit with a very good nutritional contribution. It is a fruit that is a magnificent source of vitamins and beneficial substances for our well-being. for our well-being. Its seeds contain water, B vitamins and vitamins A, C, K and E, as well as important minerals such as zinc, copper, potassium and phosphorus.
In addition, as we shall see, it contains many substances that are actually responsible for its added value as a source of health. Phenols, folic acid, ellagic acid and other substances difficult to find in other foods give the pomegranate its ability to improve our health.
2. Antioxidant power
Thanks to its components, pomegranate is a food with very good antioxidant properties. Among the antioxidant compounds, ellagic acid stands out.. This protects some plants from ultraviolet light, viruses, bacteria and parasites, and among all fruits, only raspberries have such high concentrations.
The vitamins and minerals it provides also help to strengthen the immune system against colds, flu and any opportunistic pathogenic biological agent. In addition to protecting our defenses, there are studies that have highlighted the antibacterial and antifungal effects of pomegranate.
3. Anticarcinogenic properties
It has been shown that pomegranate has the ability to reverse the development of cancer cells. It has been found an evident antitumor activity of pomegranate products on different cancers, such as prostate, colon or breast cancer.
Thus, fresh pomegranate juice and pomegranate extracts are potent inhibitors of cell growth. are potent inhibitors of cell growth. Different substances responsible for cancer cell inhibitory activity are detected, such as anthocyanins, punic acid and flavonols.
4. Combats arteriosclerosis
Numerous studies highlight the ability of the beneficial substances contained in pomegranate to combat atherosclerosis, a cardiovascular disease that affects many elderly people.
This disease is a coronary problem in which the arteries become coated with plaque. Plaque is a sticky substance made up of fat, cholesterol and other substances present in the blood. As time goes by, the plaque causes the arteries to harden and the diameter available for blood flow is lost.
5. Regulates hypertension
As we can see, pomegranate has the ability to improve cardiovascular health, but the fight against arteriosclerosis is not its only way to help us in this section.
Pomegranate compounds also help us to regulate blood pressure.improving our blood pressure and the state of our plasma. Studies show that just drinking pomegranate juice improves blood pressure in the short term.
Therefore, that there are foods like pomegranate that allow us to help our body reverse pathological conditions as undesirable as this is great news.
6. Regulates diabetes
Having seen that pomegranate helps us fight arteriosclerosis and hypertension, its benefits at the cardiovascular level continue. The components of this fruit also help us to also help us to improve insulin sensitivity..
The main substances that are anti-diabetic are polyphenols. When we absorb polyphenols they regulate blood glucose through different mechanisms, but they focus on inhibiting glucose absorption in the intestine or through peripheral tissues. The main mechanism believed to be behind this inhibition is the presence of the enzyme glucosidase.
How to consume it?
The best way to consume pomegranate is to eat it fresh. This means that we can eat it by simply peeling the fruit, or by juicing it.
The seeds can be eaten on their own or added to salads, yogurt, etc. Another good combination is to eat pomegranate seeds with nuts, as it is a tasty mixture that combines the wonderful properties of both foods.
If, on the other hand, you want to take pomegranate in the form of juice, you can use a juicer, like the one we use for oranges. A glass of this juice in the morning is a great way to face the day!