8 SIGNIFICANT HEALTH BENEFITS OF POMEGRANATE

Pomegranate is a fruit with thick, inedible skin that contains plenty of edible, ruby red, juicy seeds called arils. The arils are packed with healthy nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fibre and bioactive compounds. In fact, the pomegranate is a treasure of health benefits. Studies suggest that pomegranate might have numerous medicinal benefits for your body, reducing the risk of several diseases. In this article, I will highlight different research studies on the health benefits of pomegranate.

Learn about: 10 Miraculous Health Benefits of Mango

Health Benefits of Pomegranates:

Since pomegranate is an ancient fruit possessing a significant position in many of the world’s religions, cultures, and traditions, it has been used as a folk medicine in many cultures for several millennia.

The great Persian physician Abu Ali Sina or Avicenna (the father of modern medicine) says about pomegranates in his famous book the Canon of Medicine that this fruit contains all medicinal properties. Further, he elaborates that pomegranate strengthens the gums and blocks bleeding, its powder has healing properties and its skin has anti-inflammatory effects.

In the recent era, a lot of researches have been carried out on the medicinal properties and the potential health benefits of pomegranates. While studies are still going on to explore pomegranates, a lot has been discovered about the valuable effects of the fruit in the cure and prevention of several diseases through clinical investigations.

Here, I have mentioned 8 research-based health benefits of pomegranate. Let’s have a look!

Anti-Inflammatory Properties:

Pomegranates contain a plant compound called punicalagin that acts as a powerful antioxidant. The punicalagin in pomegranates have notable anti-inflammatory properties.

Studies suggest that consuming pomegranate can reduce inflammation throughout the body especially in the digestive tract as well as in the cancer-causing cells.

Arthritis or Joint Pain:

Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints. There are several different types of arthritis and most of them occur due to inflammation. Given that the pomegranates have anti-inflammatory properties, they can be useful in the treatment or at least in the prevention of arthritis/joint pain.

May Prevent Cancer:

Multiple studies have been carried out to see the effects of pomegranate and its juice in the prevention of colon cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer cells.

According to the report of laboratory studies, pomegranate slows down the reproduction of cancer cells as well as instigate apoptosis in cancer cells. However, more research is still needed in this area.

Diabetes:

Pomegranate is good for diabetics. The antioxidant activity of pomegranate juice is thrice that of red wine and green tea. Thus these antioxidants are useful in fighting diabetes and free radicals. To illustrate, studies have shown that pomegranates can be helpful in reducing insulin resistance and blood sugar level. Interestingly, the fruit was used for years as a traditional remedy for diabetes in some parts of Asia.

Blood Pressure and Heart Health:

The powerful effects of this little red fruit also help in the maintenance of blood pressure and heart health. Although we don’t have much scientific evidence on the health benefits of pomegranates, a recent study suggests that consuming pomegranate juice daily might help in reducing systolic blood pressure.

Besides, the punicic acid in pomegranate’s seeds can help reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) as well as prevent several other factors that lead to heart diseases. In fact, pomegranate juice is considered the most heart-healthy juice.

Improve Memory:

Excitingly, pomegranates can even help improve your memory. As stated in a recent research study conducted on 28 people who were assigned to consume 8 ounces (i.e. one cup) of pomegranate juice daily for a month. After the given period of time, they showed a notable improvement in visual and verbal memory. Added to this, the benefits of a pomegranate can also play a role in preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

Athletic Performance:

Pomegranate extract can improve exercise / athletic performance. A research was conducted to see the effects of pomegranate extract on exercise. The study included 19 athletes running on a treadmill who consumed one gram of pomegranate extract 30 minutes before the exercise. The results showed a significant boost in exercise efficiency and increased blood flow.

Skin and Hair Health:

The health benefits of pomegranate are not only limited to the body’s health, but it also plays a role in your beauty.

According to dermatologists, pomegranate juice can hydrate your skin. Additionally, the antioxidants in the fruit help in blocking acne breakouts. Furthermore, these antioxidants also strengthen the hair follicles and boost blood circulation which encourages the growth of the hair.

Learn more about; 5 Mango Benefits for Skin: How Mango can Enhance the Beauty of your Skin?

Conclusion:

To wrap it up, pomegranate is a wholesome fruit. Nature has given this little fruit such a medicinal power that it can prevent chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and heart diseases. But still, many scientific pieces of evidence are needed to explore more treasures of medicinal properties in this healthful fruit.

Disclaimer:

All the health-related information/articles on bloggeristic.com are generic, provided only for the purpose of general knowledge, and should not be taken as a substitute for the medical advice of healthcare professionals. Please note that this information is based on research but if you have any serious health concerns do contact your doctor.