9 Amazing Health Benefits Of Pomegranate

Pomegranates are a round-shaped fruit with reddish yellowish colour on the top. Split one open to reveal delicious, juicy and ruby-like red colour seeds. These seeds are known as arils, which can be relished raw or in the form of a juice.

It is wonderfully easy to enjoy the luscious jewel of the fruit just by itself or adding it to any of your meals to elevate your recipe to the next level.

Polyphenols, an antioxidant present in the fruit are responsible for that vibrant red colour of pomegranate and many of its functions. Let’s deep dive into each of the functions this beautiful fruit holds.

# More Antioxidant Power

Pomegranates are packed with antioxidants. The red colour of the pomegranate seeds comes from the antioxidant called polyphenols. Pomegranate juice is considered to have more antioxidant power than seeds. In fact, studies have shown that the juice might contain 3 times more antioxidants than red wine and green tea. Antioxidants can play a very important role in removing free radicals from your body, reducing inflammation and protecting the skin and cells from oxidative damage.

# May Protect Your Heart

Another name for pomegranate would be a hearty fruit. It is known to protect the heart and the arteries. Studies have also shown that pomegranate taken in the form of juice can help improve the blood flow and also protects the arteries. Regular consumption of pomegranate seeds or juice can help control your blood cholesterol and keep your heart up and running.

# Works like An Oxygen Cylinder

Due to its antioxidant activity, pomegranate juice is considered to be a boon for the lungs. When consumed on a regular basis, it can help cleanse the lungs, a much-needed detox for consistent smokers. It may also help to pump oxygen levels in your blood and ultimately all these functions can improve the overall functioning of your lungs which is a much-needed drive in today’s age.

# Helps Improve Immunity

Last year, we all understood the importance of a strong immune system. Pomegranate, being a great source of Vitamin C, contains two important compounds punicalagin and punicic acid; and also acts as an antioxidant that can help your body fight disease-causing germs.

# May Strengthen Bone Health

Pomegranate juice contains a high amount of flavonols. Flavonols are antioxidants that can work to reduce inflammation in the body. By controlling inflammation, it can help control the osteoarthritis or cartilage damage. Pomegranate juice is also being studied to have a beneficial impact on joint inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis.

# Vitamin C

The juice of a single pomegranate has more than 40% of your daily requirement of vitamin C. Vitamin C can be broken down when pasteurized, so opt for homemade or fresh pomegranate juice to get the most of the nutrient.

# Cancer prevention

Pomegranate juice recently made a splash when researchers found that it may help stop the growth of prostate cancer cells. Despite multiple studies on the effects of the juice on prostate cancer, results are still preliminary.

While there haven’t been long-term studies with humans that prove that pomegranate juice prevents cancer or reduces the risk, adding it to your diet certainly can’t hurt. There have been encouraging results in studies so far, and bigger studies are now being done.

# Alzheimer’s disease protection

The antioxidants in the juice and their high concentration are believed to stall the progress of Alzheimer disease and protect memory.

# Digestion

Pomegranate juice can reduce inflammation in the gut and improve digestion. It may be beneficial for people with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and other inflammatory bowel diseases.

While there are conflicting beliefs and research on whether pomegranate juice helps or worsens diarrhea, most doctors recommend avoiding it until you are feeling better and your symptoms have subsided.