Top 10 Health Benefits of Pomegranates

(TruthSeekerDaily) Often referred to is as “ the divine fruit,” the Pomegranate is classified as a berry, and is the size of a grapefruit with a semi-hexagonal shape, and thick and hard ruby-reddish skin. Each seed has a surrounding water-laden pulp, ranging in color from pink to deep red or purple. The seeds are embedded in several white, spongy membranes, which are compactly encased.

Believed to have been harvested in the Garden of Eden, the Pomegranate is part of many ancient folk traditions – all of which consider it a form of medicine. In ayurveda, it is a symbol of both fertility and prosperity. It is considered a fruit-medicine. The pomegranate’s flowers, leaves, bark, peel and of course seeds are all edible.

Here are the top 10 Health Benefits of pomegranates:

1. They keep your teeth clean.
Rich in polyphenolic flavonoids—compounds with antibacterial properties—pomegranate juice has been found to be just as effective as prescription mouthwash at ridding the mouth of plaque, the bacteria that causes cavities and gingivitis.

2. They regulate cholesterol.
Pomegranates contain paraoxonase—a naturally occurring enzyme in the body that helps keep LDL (bad cholesterol) from accumulating in arteries. In one study, subjects who drank pomegranate juice for two weeks had an 18% increase in production of the enzyme.

3. They can help prevent arthritis.
Studies have shown that both pomegranate seed oil and pomegranate fruit extract have anti-inflammatory effects that stop the destruction of joints caused by osteoarthritis.

4. They are a great source of fiber.
“A single pomegranate contains nearly a quarter of the USDA’s daily recommended amount of dietary fiber, which helps you feel full and maintain a healthy weight,” says Jennifer Franklin, a Registered Dietitian at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

5. They protect your skin.

Packed with potent antioxidants (including powerful ellagic acid), pomegranates help limit the damage of UV rays. They also defend against free radicals and increase collagen production

6.May help control Blood Pressure 
The study was small, but the results were promising—study participants drinking pomegranate juice significantly improved their blood pressure in only a week compared to those who only drank water. Drinking the ancient elixir also showed improved ratios of the stress hormone cortisol and cortisone, its inert counterpart. In a 2012 study lasting two weeks, sipping the juice improved blood pressure and reduced stiffness in arterial walls.

7. Lower Risk of heart Disease.
In both laboratory and clinical studies, pomegranate shows great promise in averting the numerous pathological changes associated with cardiovascular disease. Scientists believe pomegranate works through several mechanisms to fight cardiovascular disease by:

• reducing oxidative stress
• supporting the synthesis and activity of nitric oxide
• inhibiting the oxidation of potentially harmful LDL (low-density lipoprotein)

8. Full of antioxidants, vitamin C and potassium
Pomegranate contains rich source of vitamins and minerals: Vitamin A, B5, C and E. Calcium, potassium, and iron.

9. Controls body weight
Pomegranate is known as a super fruit for its weight loss power. Pomegranate destroys harmful blood vessels, reduces LDL cholesterol and increases the blood flow in the body. Besides, it helps to remove harmful toxins and boosts energy levels.

10. May Slow Aging
Pomegranates have polyphenols, a type of antioxidant that many believe slows aging. A look at polyphenol-rich foods including pomegranates has shown that it does in fact help extend the lifespan, according to new research from the University of Kansas.

References:

• Filomena de Nigris, sharon Williams-Ignarro, Vincenzo Sica, Lilach O. Lerman, Fancesco P. D’Armiento, Russel E. Byrns, Amelia Casamassimi, Daniela Carpentiero, Concetta Schiano, Daigo Sumi, Carmela Fiorito, Louis J. Ignarro, Claudio Napoli.Effects of a pomegranate fruit extract rich in punicalagin on oxida.... European Society of Cardiology. 2006 August 25. (2007) 73 (2): 414-423. doi: 10.1016/j.cardiores.2006.08.021.
• Michael Aviram, Mira Rosenblat, Diana Gaitini, Samy Nitecki, Aaron Hoffman, Leslie Dornfeld, Nina Volkova, Dita Presser, Judith Attias, Harley Liker, Tony Hayek.Pomegranate juice consumption for 3 years by patients with carotid .... Clinical Nutrition. 2004 June. vol. 23 issue 3, pages 423-433.
• Aviram M, Dornfeld L, Kaplan M, Coleman R, Gaitini D, Nitecki S, Hofman A, Rosenblat M, Volkova N, Presser D, Attias J, Hayek T, Fuhrman B. Pomegranate juice flavonoids inhibit low-density lipoprotein oxidat.... Drugs Exp Clin Res. 2002;28(2-3):49-62. Review.
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• Sumner MD, Elliott-Eller M, Weidner G, Daubenmier JJ, Chew MH, Marlin R, Raisin CJ, Ornish D. Effects of pomegranate juice consumption on myocardial perfusion in.... Am J Cardiol. 2005 Sep 15;96(6):810-4.
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• J.L.S. Goncalves, R.C. Lopes, D.B. Oliveira, S.S. Costa, M.M.F.S. Miranda, M.T.V. Romanos, N.S.O. Santoz, M.D. Wigg. In vitro anti-rotavirus activity of some medicinal plants used in B.... Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2005 July 14. vol. 99 issue 3, pages 403-407.
• Esmaillzadeh A, Tahbaz F, Gaieni I, Alavi-Majd H, Azadbakht L. Cholesterol-lowering effect of concentrated pomegranate juice consu.... Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2006 May;76(3):147-51.
• David Heber, Navindra P. Seeram, Holly Wyatt, Susanne M. Henning, Yanjun Zhang, Lorraine G. Ogden, Mark Dreher, James O. Hill. Safety and Antioxidant Activity of a Pomegranate Ellagitannin-Enric.... Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2007 October 30. 55 (24), pp 10050–10054 DOI: 10.1021/jf071689v.
• Sarmad Hanifa, Uzma Shamima, M.F. Ullaha, Asfar S. Azmib, Showket H. Bhatc, S.M. Hadia. The anthocyanidin delphinidin mobilizes endogenous copper ions from.... Toxicology. 2008 July 10. vol. 249 issue 1, pages 19-25.

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