 Pomegranates
have become widely marketed as a powerful health juice and studies
have confirmed what many ancient cultures already knew.
Pomegranates are an incredible fruit. But, before you run out
and buy one to eat, please note that the seeds are the
edible part of the pomegranate.One pomegranate has 40%
of the daily recommendation of vitamin C, plus it has fiber,
folic acid, niacin, potassium, vitamin A and vitamin E.
Pomegranate juice has 3 times as many antioxidants as red wine
or green tea. It contains antioxidants including soluble
polyphenols, tannins, and anthocyanins. It appears to have
anti-atherosclerotic properties.
The pomegranate juice reduces hardening of the arteries, even
in persons with a family history of the disease, and the other
diseases that go along with it like heart attack and stroke.
The American Journal of Cardiology conducted a study of
the effects of pomegranate juice on Myocardial Perfusion in
patients who had coronary heart disease and found that after 3
months, and no other changes in medicine, diet or lifestyle, the
group who drank the pomegranate juice decreased the extent of
stress-induced ischemia, but it increased in the control group
who did not drink pomegranate juice.
The antioxidants found in pomegranates reduce the levels of
the bad LDL cholesterol in mice.
Pomegranate extract shows to reduce the levels of the
inflammatory chemical interleukin-1b and stops the enzymes that
erode cartilage and leads to osteoarthritis. It is a
useful supplement to maintain joint health and function.
One study of patients with hypertension found that
pomegranates lower blood pressure. Another study conducted
in Israel found that pomegranate seed
oil caused cancer cells in the breast to self-destruct, but left
the healthy cells unharmed.
If you want to add pomegranates to your diet, you will need
to know how to prepare them. The seeds are the only part
you can eat, so you will need to extract them from the inedible
meat of the fruit. You will basically open it like an
orange. Cut off the crown of the pomegranate and slice the
rind from top to bottom, break it open and place the pieces in a
bowl of water. You will have to pull the seeds out and
strain the seeds in a colander. They can be eaten
immediately, refrigerated or frozen.
NOTE: Be careful, the juice, like grape juice,
will stain your clothes. |
