Pomegranate: The Fruit with Endless Benefits
Did you know that pomegranates are filled with nutrients that have great health benefits on the body?
Studies have indicated that they are able to reduce the risk of various diseases.
The pomegranate is a fruit-bearing shrub in the family Lythraceae and the subfamily Punicoideae. It originated in the region extending from Iran to northern India and are cultivated throughout the Middle East, Caucasus region, North and tropical Africa, Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, Southeast Asia (the drier parts) and Mediterranean Basin. It is usually in season in the Northern hemisphere from October to February and in the Southern hemisphere from March to May. Pomegranates have been widely used in baking, cooking, variety of juice blends, smoothies and as a garnish in meals.
The pomegranate is a red, round fruit that is approximately 5-12 centimeters in diameter with a thick and inedible skin; however, the seeds are edible which are surrounded by a seed covering that is red, juicy and sweet. They have a great nutrient content including fiber, protein, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate and potassium; they also contain some sugar.
Pomegranates contain two important compounds which are known to have medicinal properties; these compounds are known as punicalagins and punicic acid. Punicalagins are potent antioxidants found in pomegranate juice and peel. It has been indicated to be a powerful compound in which the antioxidant activity has been found to be three time stronger than green tea. In addition, pomegranate extract and powder is usually made from the peel due to its high antioxidant content. Punicic acid is found in pomegranate seed oil and has potent biological effects. Pomegranate has been indicated to be beneficial for health as it has anti-inflammatory effects which is mediated by the antioxidant properties of the compound punicalagins. Furthermore, pomegranates may help with certain caners such as prostate cancer and breast cancer, it may help to lower blood pressure and help with pain associated with arthritis.
The Punicic acid in pomegranate may help protect against a variety of cardiovascular diseases. Studies have also indicated that pomegranate may be beneficial for bacterial and fungal infections, improve memory and may also improve exercise performance due to its high nutrition content. Pomegranates are a delicious fruit that can be eaten with all sorts of meals and, their high antioxidant content provide endless health benefits.
So, what have you learnt about pomegranates?
Dr Hanife Mehmet
(BBiomedSc, BHlthSc/AppSc [Chinese Medicine], PhD)
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