6 Reasons Why Pomegranates Are Good For Health

Pomegranate ( Punica Granatum) is a delicious fruit that grows on the deciduous tree of the Lythraceae family. It originated in Iran but is now cultivated in many regions of the Middle East, Tropical Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean Basin.

Pomegranate provides many health and beauty benefits due to the abundance of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and dietary fibers, etc.

# Improves Digestive Health

Pomegranate is good for our stomach and improves our digestive health.Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other antioxidantal compounds in pomegranate protects our digestive system from free radical damage and reduces the risk of colon cancer, rectum cancer, abdominal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and intestinal cancer.Pomegranates contain dietary fiber, a natural laxative that improves bowel movement and relieves constipation and other digestive problems like abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and flatulence, etc.Other nutrients like zinc, iron, magnesium, and B vitamins, etc in pomegranate also improve our digestive health.

# Regulates Blood Pressure Level

Pomegranate is an abundant source of potassium, a natural vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels improves blood circulation, and provides relief from hypertension or high blood pressure.Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common health problem that affects millions around the world and is a leading cause of cardiovascular and other health problems.Enjoy pomegranates moderately as otherwise excessive potassium may drop our blood pressure below the healthy levels, and cause dizziness, nausea, fainting, dehydration, lack of concentration, blurred vision, and pale skin, etc. If you take blood pressure medication, eat pomegranates after having a word with your doctor to ensure there is no food-drug interference.

# Manages Cholesterol

Dietary fibers in pomegranate reduce LDL cholesterol and help in managing cholesterol levels.By reducing LDL cholesterol, prevents the accumulation of plaque and fat deposits in the arterial walls, and reduces the risk of atherosclerosis.Atherosclerosis is a condition that causes hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to the accumulation of plaque and fat deposits in the arterial walls.It leads to poor cardiovascular health and increases the risk of heart attack, heart stroke, and coronary artery disease.

# Improves Cardiovascular Health

Moderate intake of pomegranate benefits our heart and improves our cardiovascular health.Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, and other relevant compounds in pomegranate protects our cardiovascular system from free radical damage.Free radicals are unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from neighboring molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.Potassium in pomegranate improves blood circulation and relieves hypertension, a major cause of cardiovascular problems.Pomegranate contains dietary fibers that help with cholesterol management and improve cardiovascular health. Other nutrients like zinc, potassium, iron, magnesium, etc also contribute to a healthy heart.

# Provides Anti-Cancer Benefits

Vitamin C, vitamins, and other antioxidant compounds like flavonoids, etc in pomegranate protects our cells and tissues from free radical damage.It reduces the risk of several cancers such as colon cancer, abdominal cancer, intestinal cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer, etc.Pomegranate reduces PSA levels in the body, and combat existing cancers by inducing apoptosis ( automatic cell death) of cancer cells.Pomegranate reduces the risk of breast cancer by inhibiting the “Aromatase” hormone that converts androgen to Estrogen.

# Maintains Oral Health

Pomegranate is good for our teeth and gums and helps in maintaining our oral health.Because of its antibacterial and antiviral properties, it reduces the risk of various oral diseases.Vitamin C in pomegranate protects the teeth and gums from free radical damage, and reduces inflammation of gums.Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for reducing the risk of scurvy, an inflammatory disease that leads to bleeding and swollen gums.Calcium, potassium, and magnesium, etc in pomegranate also helps in maintaining oral health.