Pomegranate | What is Pomegranate Fruit | Health Benefits of Pomegranate Fruit and its Juice

Pomegranate | What is Pomegranate Fruit | Health Benefits of Pomegranate Fruit | Nutritional Value of Pomegranate Fruit

Pomegranate is among the most popular, nutritionally rich fruit with unique flavor, taste, and heath promoting qualities making it a common ingredient in new functional foods often called “super fruits”.

The plant is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub or small tree belongs to the family of Lythraceae of genus; Punica. Scientific name “Punica granatum”. The tree originated in the Himalayan range in India, grows to between five and eight meters tall and is being cultivated vastly across Indian sub-continent, Iran, caucuses and Mediterranean regions.

It bears numerous round, bright-red, purple or orange-yellow colored fruits depending on the cultivar. Each fruit measures about 6-10 cm in diameter and weigh is about 200 gm. Outer skin or rind is tough, leathery in texture.

A pomegranate is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub or small tree growing to between five and eight meters tall. The pomegranate is native to Southwest Asia and has been cultivated in the Caucasus since ancient times. It is widely cultivated throughout Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, North India, the drier parts of southeast Asia, Peninsular Malaysia, the East Indies, and tropical Africa. Introduced into Latin America and California by Spanish settlers in 1769, pomegranate is now cultivated in parts of California and Arizona for juice production.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the fruit is typically in season from September to February. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is in season from March to May.

Interior of the fruit is separated by membranous walls and white, spongy, bitter tissue into compartments; packed in sacs that are filled with edible juicy, red, pink pulp or arils, containing single angular, soft or hard (in over mature fruit) seed.

Health Benefits of Pomegranate Fruit and Its Juice:

Anemia: Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon with a little honey to a cup of pomegranate juice. Especially beneficial for women after monthly loss of blood due to menstruation.

Anal Itch: Itching in the anal region is often caused by parasites in the intestines that go to the anal area to lay their eggs. Roast some pomegranate skin until it is brown and brittle. Then crush it to a fine powder form and mix with a little olive oil. Apply this concoction to the anus to kill the worms.

Anti-aging: We all know that anti-oxidant is highly effective in helping to protect the skin from free radical damage known to cause signs of aging.

Asthma: The high content of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in this fruit is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. It can greatly reduce wheezing in young children with asthma.

Atherosclerosis: The highly cleansing power of this miracle juice scrubs away the old build-up of arterial deposits, reducing the risks of heart diseases and stroke.

Bleeding Piles: Pound the (clean) skin of one fruit from the sour variety. Boil the pound pulp in about two cups of water. Sweeten with honey and drink twice a day until healed.

Nutritional Value of Pomegranate Fruit:

Cancer prevention: The high anti-oxidant content protects cells from damages by free radicals. Regularly drinking juices high in anti-oxidants keep cancer at bay.

Cholesterol: Drinking juices high in anti-oxidant has been proven to fight the oxidative stress that is the main culprit in oxidizing the LDLs in the blood.

Dysentery: Drinking fresh pomegranate juice is an excellent remedy to soothe the pain and inflammation caused by severe diarrhea with blood and mucus in stools.

Immune booster: The anti-oxidant nutrients in pomegranates are critical in building up your immune system. Drink juice high in anti-oxidant when you feel a cold coming.

Loss of Appetite: If you can’t eat, at least you can drink! Pomegranate juice can help increase your appetite.

Morning Sickness/nausea: Mix and drink an equal amount of honey with pomegranate juice for relief.

Sore Throat: The anti-inflammatory agent in pomegranate juice significantly reduces the soreness and redness in the throat.

Caution:

If you are on any medication, consult with your doctor before you start consuming pomegranate juice regularly. There is some concern that the juice may affect the metabolism of some prescribed medications.