Origin

• One of the oldest known fruits, found in writings and artifacts of many cultures and religions, the pomegranate (punica granatum) is an original native of Persia. This nutrient dense, antioxidant rich fruit has been revered as a symbol of health, fertility and eternal life

Origin

• If you're not familiar with the pomegranate, it is a red fruit with a tough outer layer; only the juice and the seeds inside are edible. Pomegranate juice is available year round, but you can purchase fresh pomegranates in most grocery stores from September through January. When refrigerated in a plastic bag, pomegranates keep for up to 2 months. Try tossing the seeds on a salad for a brilliantly colorful, crunchy, and nutritious addition.

Benefits of Pomegranate

• A pomegranate is a fruit that is very rich in nutrients which makes it quite popular around the world. The fruit originated in areas of Northern India, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan, though it also grows in Peninsular Malaysia, Southeast Asia, California, Armenia, tropical Africa and others. This fruit has a very leathery texture on the outside that may be orange-yellow, red or purple. The inside of the pomegranate is filled with pink arils with seeds inside that are juicy and sweet.

Nutrition Facts of Pomegranate

• Pomegranates are often appreciated because they are filled with more antioxidants like punicalagin than other superfoods like acai berry juice or green tea.

• Pomegranates are also high in vitamin C, with 100 ml containing 16 percent of a person’s daily requirement.

• It also contains high amounts of vitamin K that helps to support bone health and vitamin B5 that helps the body metabolize, protein, carbohydrates and fats.

• Pomegranates are filled with manganese which helps to form bone structures during the metabolic process and potassium that helps to maintain cellular functions and balance fluid levels.

• The fruit is also high in phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, zinc and iron. There is very little fat in a pomegranate and it does not contain cholesterol.

• The fruit only has 130-150 calories, with around 105 calories being derived from the seeds.

• These seeds are high in calories because they contain unsaturated oils, sugar and carbohydrates but there is a great deal of fiber and some protein in these seeds as well.

1. Beauty Benefits

Regenerate Cells.• Pomegranate protects the epidermis and dermis by encouraging skin cell

regeneration, aiding in the repair of tissues, healing wounds and

encouraging circulation to skin that is healing.

Anti-Aging Benefits:

• A diet rich in pomegranate juice helps slow down ageing by reducing wrinkles and fine lines caused by exposure to the sun. It also helps to sustain the regeneration of the skin, preventing hyperpigmentation and dark spots

Suited for All Skin Types:

• The juice works wonders for dry skin, effectively penetrating the skin and moisturizing it. Punicic acid, an Omega 5 fatty acid in the juice, keeps the skin hydrated by locking in the moisture. The juice also helps reduce the production of sebum, preventing outbreaks of zits.

Helps to Heal Scars:

• Pomegranate juice improves cell regeneration of the skin and can hasten the healing of wounds. The seeds themselves are also full of skin-beneficial nutrients, protecting against sunburns and healing sun-damage

Pomegranate Face Mask for Glowing Skin:

• Mix 1tsp of powdered green papaya, 1tsp grape seed oil, and 1tsp grape seed extract with 2tsp of pomegranate juice, then apply to the face. Leave it on for an hour, then wash wtih warm water.

Improves the Texture of Skin:

• A glass of pomegranate juice will give you fair and glowing skin. It will also prevent wrinkles by increasing the body’s production of collagen, which provides support and strength to the skin.

Protect from the Sun.

• Consuming pomegranate provides the skin with compounds that help to protect against free radical damage which can cause sun damage, cancer and sunburn. The oil of a pomegranate contains the antioxidant ellagic acid that can help to inhibit skin tumors to protect the body from skin

cancer.

Produce Youthful Skin.

• Because pomegranates help to soften the skin and produce additional elastin and collagen it can make your skin look more firm, smooth and youthful.

Help with Dry Skin

• . Pomegranates are often added to skin care products because they have a molecular structure that can penetrate deep layers of most skin types to provide

Use for Oily or Combination Skin

• . Oily or combination skin types that are acne prone can use pomegranate to sooth these outbreaks and minimize burns or scarring that can occur during breakouts.

Health Benefits of Pomegranate

Soothes the Stomach:

• Pomegranate juice has been used to treat diarrhea and dysentery since ancient times. It increases the production of enzymes that assist in digestion. You can add a teaspoon of honey to a glass of pomegranate juice to treat indigestion.

Overeating prevention.

• For being so small, pomegranates are surprisingly high in fiber—one of the most important nutrients for sustainable weight loss. Since high-fiber foods keep your body satisfied for longer, you'll be less likely to overeat if you're full. Snacking on pomegranate arils on their own is a healthy and refreshing fall treat, but there are plenty of other tasty ways to incorporate this delicious fruit into your diet.

Protect Cardiovascular Health.

• Pomegranate juice can act as a blood thinner and helps to remove plaque from the arteries that will help to minimize the risk of atherosclerosis. Consuming pomegranate juice can help lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol to improve heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems.

May help prevent cancer:• From prostate cancer to breast cancer, lung cancer and skin cancer, pomegranates

can help prevent and treat several forms of cancer. This property of the delicious fruits is also attributed to the presence of polyphenol antioxidants in them. Studies have shown that pomegranate juice can inhibit the growth of tumour cells and induce natural death in them. Certain compounds in pomegranates have an anti-inflammatory ability that also contributes to its ant-cancer property.

Improve Bone Quality.

• The enzyme inhibitors in pomegranate juice can help to prevent damage to the cartilage. It can also help to control cartilage degeneration to prevent osteoarthritis.

Improves immunity: • Being rich in anti-inflammatory compounds, pomegranates are extremely healthy

for those suffering from immune-related disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and osteroarthrits. They are also rich in vitamin C, which boosts antibody production and development of immunity. Pomegranates can thus help you maintain a healthy immune system and stave of common illnesses and infections. Read about howturmeric can boost your immunity.

Increases your libido: • Since ancient times, pomegranates have been considered as a symbol of

fertility. According to a research conducted by researchers from Queen Margaret University, a glass of pomegranate juice boosts testosterone levels in both men and women. This property makes natural aphrodisiac that is great for your sex life. Also, studies suggest that pomegranates contain certain compounds that are similar to sex steroids found in the human system, explaining why it improves sex stamina and desires

Helps to Heal Scars:

• Pomegranate juice improves cell regeneration of the skin and can hasten the healing of wounds. The seeds themselves are also full of skin-beneficial nutrients, protecting against sunburns and healing sun-damage.

Good for Prenatal Care:

• Pomegranate juice contains many vitamins and mineral, as well as folic acid, all of which are essential in a prenatal diet. The anti-inflammatory properties help improve blood flow for both the mother and the fetus. The potassium in the juice prevents muscle cramps associated with pregnancy and is even believed to prevent premature childbirth.

Increase Appetite.

• Children that do not have a strong appetite can drink a glass of pomegranate juice to get an appetite stimulant.

Prevents Hair Loss:

• Pomegranate juice strengthens the hair follicles, preventing hair loss and giving you rich, healthy hair.

Prevents Skin Cancer:

• The anthocyanins and tannins in pomegranate are powerful allies in the fight against skin tumors. Apply it directly to the skin and let the ellagic acid do what it does best – inhibit the growth of cancerous cells.

Prevents Anemia:

• Anemia is caused when your body is low on red blood cells. The high levels of iron in the juice helps the body produce more red blood cells. It is also considered a great remedy for red and sore eyes – simply put a few drops of the juice in your eyes.

Reduce Inflammation.

• The anti-inflammatory properties of pomegranates stems from its high vitamin C content that will help to manage asthma, sore throat, cough and wheezing.

Help Lose Weight.

• People are finding that pomegranates have a natural property that provides you with additional energy and cleanse the body, making it easier to lose weight.

Lowers blood pressure: • Pomegranates help lower blood pressure by preventing the activity of

serum angiotensin-converting enzyme. Punicic acid is one of the main constituents of pomegranates that help lower cholesterol, triglycerides and reduce blood pressure. A study has shown that pomegranate components reduce risk factors for heart disease, in patients with diabetes and high LDL levels of the blood. Here are 5 other natural foods to prevent heart disease

Lowers stress levels: • Apart from reducing the body’s internal oxidative stress, pomegranates

also help lower psychological stress that you go through your personal and professional life. According to a study conducted by Queen Margaret University, people who drank pomegranate juice had lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that is increased under stressful situations.

Keeps Alzheimer’s at bay:

• Imagine being stuck on a road having forgotten where you live? If you wouldn’t want it to happen to you for real, pomegranates should form a part of your daily diet. Researchers suggest that pomegranates play in important role prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. A study conducted by Hartman and colleagues showed that pomegranate juice reduces the deposition and accumulation of amyloid in the hippocampus region of the brain by 50%, which could be considered for Alzheimer’s disease improvement.

Prevents plaque formation: • If you mouth wash to keep improve your oral health, pomegranate juice

can be a better option than alcohol containing mouth washes available at pharmacy stores. Certain compounds in pomegranate exhibit strong antiplaque effects. A study showed that hydroalcoholic extract of pomegranate effectively lowered dental plaque formation due to microorganisms build up by almost 84%.

Stomach Disorders

• Pomegranate peel, bark and leaves are used to calm disorders of the stomach or the diarrhea caused by any kind of digestive problems. Drinking tea made from the leaves of this fruit also helps in curing your digestive problems. Pomegranate juice is also used for handling problems

like dysentery and cholera.

Diabetes

• For diabetic patients, drinking pomegranate juice can reduce the risk of various coronary diseases. Along with this, there is a reduction in the hardening of the arteries, which can inhibit the development of various heart diseases.

Benefits to Men

Decrease Risk of Impotency. • Those that have a risk of prostate cancer, impotency or atherosclerosis can

consume the pomegranate juice to reduce these risk. The high antioxidants will help to manage arteriosclerosis that can lead to impotency and increase your risk of prostate cancer

Treat Prostate Cancer. • Consuming pomegranates has been found to reduce prostate specific antigen in

clinical trials. Research is ongoing to see if pomegranates can be used to treat people that already have localized prostate cancer. During these trials the juice was found to inhibit the growth of the cancer cells and lower its risk of metastasizing. The high phytochemicals in the juice seem to have a distinct effect on delaying and stabilizing the growth of PSA in men.

Keeps you looking younger:

• Ever wondered why we grow old and our skin develops wrinkles and other signs of ageing? Well, it is because of free radical damage that affects your cells. Polyphenolic compounds in pomegranates are powerful antioxidants that can delay the process of aeging. Therefore, eating pomegranate keeps your skin glowing and radiant for a long time.

Benefits to Women

Aid in Pregnancy.

• Pomegranate juice is high in niacin, folic acid, potassium, calcium, vitamin C, iron and fiber that help to maintain a pregnant woman’s health and encourage cell growth. Consuming pomegranate wine instead of alcoholic beverages helps to curb the craving for these hazardous materials while preventing the damage that often comes with consuming alcohol while pregnant. Consuming pomegranate juice during pregnancy has also been fund to reduce cramps and sleep difficulties that often appear during pregnancy. It has also been found to increase blood flow to the baby which reduce she risk of brain damage.

Inhibit Breast Cancer.

• Studies have found that the ellagitannins in pomegranate juice will prevent estrogen responsive breast cancer cells from growing. This phytochemical inhibits aromatase that is used to create estrogen, increasing your risk of breast cancer.