If you’ve stepped in a health food store lately or treated yourself to a spa day, you probably saw one or two things labeled with pomegranate scents or extracts. Pomegranates have set the health industry abuzz lately due to newly found health properties. Extracts of pomegranate can aid in anti-aging, and can even help with preventing heart disease, treating diabetes, dementia, cancer, and menopausal problems.
Where Can You Find Pomegranates?
Pomegranate is a fruit that comes from a shrub or small tree in warm climates. For centuries it was only cultivated in Asia or around the Mediterranean sea. But it is now grown in many countries around the world where the climate allows. It is a fruit which is fairly difficult and fiddly to peel and eat, with the juicy red seed cases needing to be separated from the rest of the fruit by hand.
Pomegranates Have All the Vitamins You Need
Pomegranate fruit provides about 20% of your daily vitamin C requirement, and is a major source of vitamin B5, potassium and antioxidants. Pomegranates are high-fiber fruits, making them great for those of you with indigestion issues.
Antioxidants for Cholesterol
Pomegranates contain three times as many antioxidants as red wine and green tea. In fact, they contain the most antioxidants of any natural food, and are especially loaded with Vitamin C and Potassium. Antioxidants help to lower your bad cholesterol levels, so if you are having high cholesterol issues try pomegranates as your everyday snack!
Can Lower Risk of Heart Disease
The seeds and juice are considered a tonic for the heart and throat. Research has shown that consuming organic pomegranate seeds and drinking its juice can increase levels of oxygen in the heart. This can help keep your blood flowing through your heart and can decrease your risk of heart disease.
Pomegranates & ED
Some studies have shown that, over time, organic pomegranates might help combat erectile dysfunction. Researchers report that long-term consumption of pomegranate juice increases and balances the blood flow to the heart and subsequently to the rest of the body.
Can Lower Risk of Cancer
There are also possibilities that pomegranate compounds influence prevention of prostate cancer or, at least, slow its growth. In some research done, pomegranate extracts were discovered to delay the development of brain tumors and improved patients survival rates. In addition the seed oil, the fruit juice, and pericarp of pomegranate extract have been known to to aid in the destruction of cancer cells.
Pomegranates and Other Ailments
Relief from hot flashes and other menopausal problems have been reported when people suffering from these issues drank pomegranate juice or ate its seeds. It has been known to give relief from eczema, psoriasis and sunburn.
Pomegranate health benefits are substantial and easy to obtain. From helping your skin look younger longer to reducing your risk of heart disease, you will find that pomegranates can make a big difference to your overall health and well being.
Can’t Find Pomegranates Near You?
Pomegranates can be hard to find in your regular supermarket since many of them only carry them during the pomegranate season. Try visiting your local Indian grocery store to find pomegranates year round, as pomegranate is used frequently in Indian dishes.
Have a question about how you can implement pomegranate into your everyday diet? Ask any of our employees at either Pioneer Cash & Carry location for helpful tips on the best way to get pomegranates into your meal every day!
Need More Ideas for Healthy Snacks?
Try these to give you that healthy kick during snack time!
