Have you ever eaten delicious organic pomegranate seeds or drink refreshing pomegranate juice? What a great tasting and refreshing snack! What's more, this slightly peculiar fruit has held legendary powers for countless centuries.
These days, researchers are discovering the truth beyond the myths surrounding the pomegranate's powers, proving why this exotic fruit has claimed such a fabled place in cultures throughout the ages. And scientists conducting research on the many health benefits of pomegranates have made some startling finds.
Organic pomegranates are full of antioxidants. These are vitamins and enzymes known for keeping low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or ''bad'' cholesterol from oxidizing and causing atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Organic pomegranate seeds act a lot like aspirin, keeping blood platelets from sticking together and forming dangerous blood clots.
Antioxidants also buffer the effects of free radical damage to your cells caused by oxidation. Free radicals are produced by functions within the body and elements outside the body, such as radiation from the sun. Since you can't stop free radical occurrence and oxidation, it's important to consume foods that help neutralize their potential damage.
Research also shows that eating organic pomegranate seeds and drinking pomegranate juice can increase oxygen levels to the heart.
Other studies reveal that, over time, organic pomegranates might help combat erectile dysfunction. This super fruit might also reduce the inflammation of arthritis by slowing down the enzymes that break down cartilage.
Did you know that ...
• pomegranates are one of the few fruits whose juice is just as beneficial as its fruit or seeds? That's because the peel, which you can't eat, contains the most antioxidants, and they are released in abundance when the fruit is squeezed for juicing.
• they are one of the only fruits that may keep your skin looking young and wrinkle free if you eat them regularly? Who doesn't want to look younger and enjoy smooth beautiful skin, especially in the golden years? Everyone will think you're ten years younger than you really are and you won't have to worry about resorting to unsafe products for your skin.
It's juice is so packed with antioxidants for optimal health, that it...
• may help significantly in reducing the symptoms of arthritis.
• is proven to boost fertility, increase your immunity against diseases like swine flu, and prevent many types of cancer?
Vitamins, Minerals and Micronutrients in Pomegranates
Like many fruits, pomegranate supplies a healthy dose of vitamin C. Unlike others, it also contains vitamins B5, B9 and K. Potassium and zinc top the list of vital minerals that pomegranates and pomegranate juice contain.
Better known by its full name, pantothenic acid, vitamin B5 is essential to healthy skin and nerve function. The name might be more familiar as a hair-care ingredient, but pantothenic acid is also an important dietary requirement. Research into the importance of pantothenic acid is ongoing, but this micronutrient may help prevent muscle cramping, insulin resistance and adrenal insufficiency.
Vitamin B9, also known as folate or folic acid, took on greater significance in the world of nutritional science when researchers found that folic acid deficiency contributed to neural tube defects in babies. Adults also need this vitamin to repair DNA and create healthy blood cells. A single serving of pomegranate seeds contains 10 percent of an adult's recommended allowance of the vitamin.
People who don't get enough vitamin K may bruise easily and run a greater risk of developing osteoporosis. Usually found in dark green leafy vegetables, vitamin K becomes more palatable when it's packaged in sweet pomegranate seeds. Pomegranate juice and whole pomegranate seeds contain about 10 percent of an adult's recommended daily allowance of vitamin K.
Bet you didn't know these amazing facts about it's fruit and juice!
There is no wonder that this fruit has been mentioned in the Quran in three places:
It is He Who sends down rain from the skies; with it WE produce vegetation of all kinds: from some We produce green (crops), out of which We produce grain, heaped up (at harvest); out of the date palm and its sheaths (or spathes) (come) clusters of dates hanging low and near: and (then there are) gardens of grapes, and olives, and pomegranates, each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety): when they begin to bear fruit, feast your eyes with the fruit and the ripeness thereof. Behold! in these things there are Signs for people who believe. (Al-Aníaam - 99)
It is HE Who produceth gardens, with trellises and without, and dates, and tilth with produce of all kinds, and olives and pomegranates, similar (in kind) and different (in variety): eat of their fruit in their season, but render the dues that are proper on the day that the harvest is gathered. But waste not by excess: for ALLAH loveth not the wasters. (Al-Aníaam - 141)
In them will be Fruits, and dates, and pomegranates: Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny? (Ar-Rahman - 68-69).