Health Benefits of Pomegranate

Hello Friends!

Hope you all are doing well and liking my posts. Today we will talk about how Pomegranate fruit is beneficial for our health. As we all know that ‘Pomegranate is a fruit of paradise’. There is one seed from Paradise in every pomegranate growing on earth.

Take care of your body, it’s the only place you have to live in. Eat healthy, work more, think positive, do regular exercise, worry less, enough sleep to maintain good health. Let’s talk about health benefits of Pomegranate.

Pomegranate:

Pomegranate fruit belongs to the family ‘Lythraceae’. Its scientific name is ‘Punica Granatum’. The name Pomegranate has been derived from Latin word ‘Pamum’ which means ‘apple’ and ‘granatum’ which means ‘seeded’. This fruit is dark red in color. The number of seeds in Pomegranate ranges from 200 to 1400.

Geographical conditions for Pomegranate:

1. It is grown in area of tropical, warm and temperate regions.

2. Pomegranate is more sensitive to cold weather than hot.

3. Pomegranate requires acidic sandy loam to alkaline calcareous soil.

4. Pomegranate needs proper sunlight to grow.

5. pH value of soil for Pomegranate fruit is 6.0-8.0.

6. Depth of soil should be minimum 1.5 meter for Pomegranate fruit to grow.

7. Pomegranate is self pollinating. It does not require another tree to cross pollinate.

Historical Background:

During ancient period Pomegranate was cultivated in Iran and throughout the Mediterranean region. Later it was introduced in America in 16^th century. Today it is cultivated in India mainly in Northern India, Africa, and South East Asia. During ancient period Pomegranate was considered as symbol of Prosperity and Ambition in Egypt. In Greek it was considered as fruit of dead.

How we can grow Pomegranate fruit at home?

We can grow Pomegranate during summer season. First of all dry the seeds of Pomegranate and then plant the seeds in the soil. The seeds need sunlight for germination. It requires a lot of water and fertilizer. Pomegranate tree is mostly attacked by fruit flies. If Pomegranate is grown from seeds it will become fruit in Third year. Normally the fruit takes Three to Six months to ripe after the appearance of flowers.

Nutritional Components in Pomegranate:

Nutrition	Values (Per 100 gram)
Fat	1%
Cholesterol	0%
Sodium	0%
Potassium	6%
Carbohydrate	6%
Protein	3%
Fiber	16%
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)	17%
Iron	1%
Vitamin-B6	5%
Magnesium	3%
Vitamin A	0%

Pomegranate Juice:

1. Pomegranate juice is made from fruit Pomegranate. It is used as a syrup that is Pomegranate Molasses in Iran.

2. Pomegranate Juice is a ‘polyphenol’ rich fruit juice.

3. The ‘antioxidant’ capacity of Pomegranate juice is three times higher than that of green tea.

4. It has higher level of antioxidant as compared to grapes and orange juice.

5. Polyphenol in Pomegranate juice includes ‘Ellagitannins’ and ‘Anthocyanins’.

How Pomegranate Juice is more beneficial than other fruit juice?

In comparison to other juices like grape juice, orange juice, it has higher level of antioxidants. Pomegranate juice increases the serum antioxidant capacity and decrease oxidative damage of biomolecules. Pomegranate juice is more beneficial for cardiovascular disease. As compared to green tea and black tea Pomegranate Juice provides more protection to cells from damage and results in reduction of inflammation.

Types of Pomegranate:

1.	Bhagwa	Soft Seeded
2.	Arakta	Dark Red Color
3.	Mridula	Average weight 250-300 grams
4.	Muskat	Average weight 300-350 grams
5.	Alandi or Vadki	Sweet acidic taste with hard seeds
6.	Kabul	Large in size, slightly bitter in taste
7.	Kandhari	Large in size, red or pink in color, hard seeds
8.	Paper Shelled	Medium Pink in Color, Soft seeds
9.	Ganesh	Soft seeds, Sweet in taste, mainly found in Maharashtra
10.	Spanish Ruby	Small and Medium in size, Soft Seed
11.	Dholka	Large in Size, mainly found in Gujarat

Amazing Health Benefits of Pomegranate:

1. Cardiovascular Disease: Due to change in life style cardiovascular is common disease. In this disease blood becomes thick and causes obstruction in walls of arteries. Pomegranate fruit is rich in ‘antioxidant’ properties because Polyphenol is naturally found in this fruit. It improves blood flow, lower blood pressure, promotes good cholesterol in body. It also prevents or reverses atherosclerosis. It decreases blood pressure by breaking down harmful oxidized lipids in lipoprotein.

2. Prostate Cancer: Enlargement in Prostate gland results in sometimes Prostate cancer when value of PSA Test (Prostate Specific Agent) is more than 10. PSA Test reading is required annually to rule out whether it can be cancerous or not. Pomegranate fruit prevents prostate cancer because it is rich source of antioxidant and antiproliferative activity. In research it has been found that Pomegranate fruit decrease the endogenous synthesis of estrogen.

3. Anti Ageing: According to latest research it has been clear that Pomegranate fruit slow down cellular aging process. Pomegranate improves functioning of ‘Mitochondria’ (Power House of Cell). Thus in this way it prevents ageing.

4. Breast Cancer: Pomegranate fruit prevents the growth of breast cancer. Ellagitannins (90%) found in Pomegranate inhibited the growth of estrogen which is responsible for the breast cancer.

5. Anemia: Anemia is that condition in which blood does not have enough Red Blood Cells (RBCs). Pomegranate fruit is rich in Iron. It activates Red Blood Cells. It also helps pregnant woman to get rid of anemia.

6. Diabetes: Pomegranate fruit is not sugar free. But in small quantity it is beneficial for diabetic patients. A small study published in journal Atherosclerosis it has been found that sugar in Pomegranate fruit did not worsen the blood sugar level.

7. Arthritis: It is that condition in which inflammation in joint takes place results in joint pain. Pomegranate helps to cure arthritis or it is anti-inflammatory. Pomegranate blocks the production of cartilage-destroying enzyme. Thus it results in deduction of pain and swelling.

8. Chemopreventive agent: Pomegranate fruit works as Chemopreventive agent. It helps to cure skin, lung and colon cancer. Pomegranate fruit is anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and anti-tumor. It is rich source of anthocyanins, ellagitannins and hydrolysable tannis thus it prevents patients from chemotheaphy.

9. Gastro Intestinal Tract: Pomegranate is anti-inflammatory thus it promotes functioning of gut. It prevents from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), H.Pylori Infection because these are rich source of Ellagitannins and Anthocyanins. Anthocynanins are more found in fresh Pomegranate. Thus it neutralizes the acidity from stomach and improves functioning of bowel movement.

10. Immune System: Pomegranate fruit is rich source of Vitamin C and Fiber. Thus it boosts up our immune system. Pomegranate is anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. Thus it activates cells to fight infections and increase our metabolic rate.

11. Urinary Tract Infection: The main cause of Urinary Tract Infection is ‘E.coli’ Bacteria. ‘One Pomegranate a day keeps UTI at bay’. It prevents bacteria from latching onto the walls of bladder.

12. Pregnancy: Pomegranate fruit is very beneficial during pregnancy. It protects the brain of infants during lack of oxygen before birth. It also protects deficiency of iron during pregnancy.

13. Convert Glucose into energy: Pomegranate fruit contain high amount of glucose. It activates brain functioning because our brain uses glucose for energy more than other nutrients.

14. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's disease: Pomegranate fruit helps to fight against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. It is anti-inflmmatory thus reduces inflammation in brain cell ‘Microglia’. Punicalagin (3.4%) in Pomegranate also prevent from Parkinson’s disease.

15. Dementia: Dementia is disease in which loss of memory takes place. Pomegranate fruit fight against dementia because it contains Polyphenols. Polyphenols help in prevention of this neurodegenerative disease.

16. Anxiety: The main cause of stress and anxiety is accumulation of stress hormone ‘Cortisol’ in body. Pomegranate fruit lowers stress hormone as it is anti-oxidant in nature.

17. Weight Loss: Pomegranate fruit helps in weight loss as it is rich in fiber. It keeps us full for a longer time.

18. Prevent Plaque: Pomegranate is rich in antibacterial and anti fungal properties. Thus it fights against infection and prevent plaque in mouth. It also prevents us from Gingivitis.

19. Activate WBCs: WBC (White Blood Cells) fight against infection. Thus Pomegranate fruit activates Neutrophils to kill bacteria like bacterial infection in gut, urinary bladder etc.

20. Hair Growth: Pomegranate fruit promotes hair growth. It provides nourishment to hair follicles and makes hair shiny.

21. Menstruation: Pomegranate fruit is rich in fiber. It triggers uterine contractions and boost uterine health. It is rich in Iron thus helps in irregular periods by giving relief from anemia problem.

22. Kidney Stone: Pomegranate fruit is rich in fiber. It lowers infection in kidney. It also helps to flush out stone (Calcium Oxalate) through urine.

23. Healthy Liver: Pomegranate fruit prevents patients from Grade II fatty liver. Grade II fatty liver means fat start accumulating in liver. This fruit reduces oxidative stress and inflammation. It is also helpful in jaundice as it is rich in fiber and antioxidant in nature.

24. Insomnia: Pomegranate fruit is rich in Polyphenols. It promotes sleep hormone thus gives relief from insomnia.

25. Other Benefits: Pomegranate is rich in fiber and Vitamin C. It is very beneficial in migraine problem, varicose veins, improve eye sight and thyroid problem.

How much quantity one should take?

1. Daily Consumption: 2 cup of seeds daily (Recommended by United States Department of Agriculture).

2. High Blood Pressure: 1cup of Pomegranate Juice daily or 43-330 ml for 18 months.

How to consume Pomegranate Fruit:

It is best to consume as a fresh fruit. In packed Pomegranate juice Vitamin C and antioxidant are destroyed. Keep Pomegranate fruit in dark cool place because in sunlight it gives up Vitamin C. One should consume Pomegranate fruit in appropriate quantity and heart patients first consult doctor as it might can interact with other drugs.

Pomegranate Fruit and Its Protection from various plant diseases:

1. Alternaria Fruit Spot: In this disease small reddish brown circular spots appear on the fruit. It is unfit for consumption. This fruit should be destroyed.

2. Anthracnose: Black Leaf spots with yellowish halos. It is mainly affected due to wind born conidia.

3. Bacterial Blight: Dark brown spots on fruit with oily appearance. You can protect Pomegranate fruit from this bacterium by giving minimum four month rest after harvesting the fruit.

4. Cercospora Fruit Spot: Light brown spots on fruit. Its management is pruning and destruction of diseased twigs.

5. Wilt of Pomegranate: it is affected due to Conidia, more in heavy soil and increases with soil moisture. You can manage it at home. Don’t allow water to stagnate. Don’t irrigate for 2-3 days after drenching.

Is eating Pomegranate Fruit better than Pomegranate Juice:

Pomegranate Fruit contains fiber, Vitamin C, Iron etc. Pomegranate Fruit is more nutrient than Pomegranate Juice. According to University of Alabama Pomegranate Fruit provides antioxidants and fiber with 35% less sugar than fruit Juice. According to recent research published in Journal of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics high sugar content in Pomegranate Juice can have negative consequences also like Type 2 Diabetes. Fiber is absent in Pomegranate Juice. Researchers believe that fiber in whole fruit may actually inhibit beta-carotene absorption.

Is there any harm to eat Pomegranate at night:

Try to avoid it at night because at that time our liver flush out the toxins and is at rest. It is better to eat it in morning because in morning it works like gold. At night it can cause constipation in rare cases.

Precautions:

1. Low Blood Pressure: It can lower blood pressure in those patients whose blood pressure is already low.

2. Surgery: Stop eating Pomegranate at least 2 weeks before a surgery.

Hope you will get benefit from this post. Pomegranate seeds are rich in Vitamin C, fiber, Iron. One should add Pomegranate fruit in daily life to maintain good health. It is always suggested to eat fresh and ripe fruits to get maximum benefits from them.

“It is the health that is real wealth and not pieces of Gold and Silver”- Mahatma Gandhi.

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Health Benefits of Pomegranate