Pomegranates have anti-oxidant, anti-viral, and anti-tumour properties and are a good source of vitamins as well as folic acid. This amazing fruit consists of three times as many antioxidants as both wine or green tea. The endless health benefits of pomegranates are what make them special and apart from being healthy, they are absolutely delicious too.
The origin of Pomegranates fruit dates back to Egypt thousands of years ago where it was thought to be a royal fruit. This delicious red fruit is not just known as the pomegranate, but is called different names in different places, for example, the Romans used to call it “Punic Apple”.
The pomegranate is a jewel-like fruit hence its royal connection, which has its own unique cherry red shine. This fruit is classified as a berry and like the pineapple it proudly wears a crown too. It has been known for centuries to have powerful healing properties for the body and mind, so let’s discover why.
Combat Cancer
Bursting with antioxidants this fruit show properties that fend off tumours with its powerful pomegranate seeds. Deep within the fruit punicic acid can be found which is a type of omega 5 poly saturated fatty acid. This acid specifically guns for cancer cells, killing them effectively. Pomegranates also help reduce the chances of prostate cancer in men. Pomegranate has a number of chemicals that team up to further fight the growth of prostate cancer cells (1).
Health at Heart
Heart attacked and strokes are more often than not a condition resulting from a build-up of cholesterol in the arteries. When a pomegranate is crushed its seeds and juiced antioxidant properties helps remove cholesterol from arteries to maintain a healthy unobstructed pathway to the heart. In this regard the clear pathways ultimately then help to take the pressure off the blood flow within the body (2). Blood pressure often leads to other heart issues, pomegranate juice and pulp is a natural way to manage blood pressure.
Mood Food
Your salivary testosterone gets a pungent hit from the juices of a pomegranate, this helps to boost your mood and improve sexual dysfunction. This direct hit on sexual health and wellbeing can be found to help increase fertility opportunities.
Furthermore we very often aim for energy drinks and caffeine to boost our mood, however pomegranate juice contains natural sugars and vitamins that help maintain a high level of energy. The carbohydrates present within this fruit are a key source for energy in the body.
Calm Inflammation
Inflammation can occur across the body, whether its organs, around joints or bones. Pomegranates have antioxidants that help calm the body and reduce inflammation. The pomegranate juice and seeds can help to combat the production of the cartilage destroying enzymes that the body produces when suffering from arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
With you when you Workout
As we have said the pomegranate is a good source of carbohydrate, in which case this fruit can be ideally consumed before a workout. This healthy supplement can help you build up and provide energy before and during your workout (3). The wonders of pomegranates continue as they actually contain dietary nitrates in its pulp that maintain a balanced level of energy ready for your exercise session.
Digestive Health
Poor digestion is at the source of many gut related health concerns, yes you guessed it pomegranates tackles this too. The fibre contained in a pomegranate helps to maintain gut health, reduce the opportunity for Crohn’s disease and stomach ulcers.
Access to Antioxidants
This powerful fruit is bursting at the seams with antioxidants. These antibodies are vital for healthy and balanced functioning. This team of hard workers fight free radicals that have an adverse effect on our body, building a wall that protects the body both externally and internally. Supplementing your diet with these fighting fruits helps to build this wall bigger and stronger.
Vital Vitamins
Rather than reaching for the vitamin tablets, pick up a pomegranate. We are all aware of the importance vitamins are to our body. To help deal with the deficiencies an average sized pomegranate fruit contains vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin K to name a few. A daily supply of this colourful fruit either whole or juiced will inject you with an ample amount of nutrients.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4007340/
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