POMEGRANATE

 

Pomegranate is a ruby-red fruit with juicy seeds - called arils - that can be added to salads, cocktails, and meat- or rice-based entrees. This versatile fruit provides important vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C and copper, along with a healthy dose of fibre. Like most fruits, pomegranate is very low in fat and sodium. While it can be labour-intensive to free the arils from the flesh of the pomegranate, it is worth it for their bright flavour and antioxidants.

Health Benefits of Pomegranate.

Pomegranate seeds and juice contain compounds and nutrients with health-promoting qualities.

Helps Build Bones, Cartilage, and Muscle.

Pomegranates provide lots of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid). This vitamin is essential for good bone structure, cartilage, muscle and blood vessels. It also aids in the absorption of iron and promotes wound healing. Vitamin C must be consumed through the diet because our bodies are unable to make it.

Fights Oxidative Stress.

According to the National Institutes of Health, "Ongoing research is examining whether vitamin C, by limiting the damaging effects of free radicals through its antioxidant activity, might help prevent or delay the development of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease and other diseases in which oxidative stress plays a causal role".

Pomegranates also contain other antioxidant compounds, such as quercetin and anthocyanins, which also repair cell damage caused by oxidative stress.

Helps Regulate Blood Sugar and Digestion.

You will get a healthy boost of fibre when you consume pomegranate arils (not juice). Most of us do not get enough fibre in our diet each day. Fibre helps boost satiety, improves digestive health and may help lower blood cholesterol. It also helps to slow the absorption of sugar, so your blood glucose does not spike after eating.

Lowers Blood Pressure.

A research review analyzing the effect of pomegranate juice on blood pressure suggests that drinking about one cup of the juice can help reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure and could benefit people with hypertension and people at risk for hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Improves Exercise Performance.

The antioxidants in pomegranate juice can strengthen muscles and help them recover after exercise. They may also improve performance during athletic exercise.

Allergies.

Pomegranate allergies are not common but they are possible. Symptoms may include itching, swelling, runny nose and difficulty breathing. If you suspect that you may be allergic to pomegranate, see an allergy specialist to get a diagnosis.

Adverse Effects.

Certain medications for high cholesterol (commonly called statins) may interact with pomegranate juice. Both pomegranate juice and grapefruit juice have a similar effect on the body, so these and other medications that interact with grapefruit juice may also interact with the juice from pomegranates. If you are on medication, speak with your healthcare provider before including the fruit in your diet to stay safe. Since pomegranate is rich in vitamin K, it may interfere with the blood clotting medicine Coumadin (warfarin). But appropriate dietary levels of vitamin K vary, so discuss your diet with your doctor if you are taking this medicine.

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