The health benefits of pomegranate are getting a lot of juicy press these days. Consequently, you may see them around more often. This once exotic fruit, elusive to the U.S., is making its way into our farmer’s markets and grocery stores. In fact, I’m so excited to report that I bought my first pomegranate just yesterday at our local farmer’s market.
To be very honest, I didn’t know what they were until I read the sign. And then, I recalled reading an article sometime ago in whole living magazine about the “healing” benefits of pomegranate and their high concentration of antioxidants. The sign said, 2 for a $1.49, so I scooped up a double fruity benefit, and now they sit looking pretty in my fruit basket waiting to be eaten. I think I will crack one open to see what I find…
Oh my, what a treat we’ve been missing. I can’t believe I’ve gone all my 39 years without enjoying a pomegranate. They are chock full of juicy, beautifully colored, jewel like seeds that resemble a cranberry+apple+grape in taste and have the texture that reminds me of seedy blackberries that = holy yum! No wonder the pomegranate is mentioned over 2 dozen times in the Bible. It truly is of divine goodness! – lol….
I feel an addiction to the benefits of pomegranate coming my way. This fruit is not only scrumptious, it’s truly appealing to my tedious, grazing nature. Peeling the seeds away was almost therapeutic for me – definitely de-stressing. And, I could pop these little seeds all day long for a healthy alternative to my beloved chips! OoooooOOoooo … Yes, an addiction is happening before your eyes!
Now even more curious about the benefits of pomegranate, I hopped on the internet and flipped through a few nutrition books and magazines to get the full scoop on the benefits of pomegranates and how to go about serving them to my family. I found some encouraging sweet news:
Nutritional Values for 1 pomegranate (3-3/8” diameter)
- 105 calories
- .5 gram fat
- 26.5 grams carbohydrates
- 1.5 grams protein
- 1 gram of fiber
- 4.5 milligrams of sodium
Pomegranates are a good source of Vitamin C, B-6, and Potassium too.
According to Leo Galland, M.D. – Aol Healthy Living/Huffington Post:
Benefits of Pomegranate for Heart Health:
An active area of research is looking into the regular consumption of pomegranate juice ( about an 8 ounce glass daily) and how doing so may:
- Lower LDL cholesterol levels in blood. LDL, which stands for low-density lipoprotein, is the major protein responsible for transporting cholesterol in your blood and depositing cholesterol in the walls of blood vessels. The level of oxidized LDL in blood is emerging as a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- Decrease inflammation in the lining of blood vessels. Inflammatory cells called macrophages, found in the walls of your arteries, accumulate cholesterol and deposit it in the vessel wall, initiating a process called atherosclerosis, a major step in hardening of the arteries. Pomegranate juice prevents this type of inflammation and inhibits atherosclerosis.
- Raising the levels of nitric oxide, a chemical that keeps your arteries supple and flexible. Many types of stress impair your blood vessels’ ability to make nitric oxide. Pomegranate juice can prevent both reasons for reduced nitric oxide: impaired synthesis and rapid breakdown.
Benefits of Pomegranate Preventing Cancer:
The anticancer effects of pomegranate juice are related to its potential ability to induce cancer cells to self-destruct, a process called apoptosis. Laboratory research studies suggest that pomegranate juice may help induce apoptosis of human breast, prostate and colon cancer cells by activating genes and enzymes that regulate apoptosis
Benefits of Pomegranate Decreasing Inflammation:
Whenever it’s been studied, unsweetened pomegranate juice has been more effective than any single component. Not only does pomegranate juice contain potent phenolic antioxidants, like other brightly colored fruits, but pomegranate juice contains unique complex sugars that are anti-inflammatory on their own.
Heart health, cancer prevention and decreasing inflammation are 3 nourishing, healthy reasons among others to enjoy a pomegranate. And let’s not forget they are bursting with deliciousness, and appealing with color and texture as well. Try them in salads (I did – so good!), grain dishes (oatmeal tomorrow), or any dish that you’d like to add a burst of juicy sweet-tartness. They could even be therapeutic for some. Peeling out the seeds certainly was for me. Now, that’s a whole lot of positives in support of the pomegranate, so why not look for them the next time you’re out grocery shopping?
After all, pomegranates have been valued since ancient times. This jewel filled fruit has been a staple for those living in the Middle East for thousands of years. Why even Aristotle and the Greek gods themselves (goddess Persephone fancied its jewel like ruby red seeds) favored this sweet and cherished fruit! I wonder if they knew something that we are trying to learn yet today. I think it’s time to bring the benefits of pomegranate flooding into our US produce shelves, don’t you?
Buy, try, and cherish the benefits of pomegranate for the jewel it is – it’s a whole lot cheaper than going to Tiffany! Though, I might fancy a trip to Tiffany as well. 
Until then, I’ll eat like a goddess,
Amy
Benefits Of Pomegranate – The Correct Way To Eat One
