Nutritional Value of Pomegranate:
Pomegranates are rich in ellagic acid, an antioxidant, and punicic acid, an Omega 5 polyunsaturated fatty acid that is beneficial for cell regeneration. The juice is a great source of vitamins A, C and E, and contains minerals like calcium, phosphorous, potassium and more.
Health Benefits of Pomegranate Juice:
Pomegranates have been used for their medicinal benefits throughout the Middle East and the Far East for thousands of years. The fruit contains many nutrients, such as quercetin, which helps protect the body from diabetes, cancer and heart diseases.
1. Cardiovascular Benefits
Pomegranate juice helps keep your heart healthy by assisting arterial elasticity and reducing blood-vessel inflammation. It also reduces atherosclerosis – a leading cause in heart diseases. Additionally, the juice helps in lowering the risk of arterial blockage, reducing LDL levels and increasing HDL levels.
2. Maintains Blood Sugar Levels:
Despite containing fructose, pomegranate juice doesn't elevate sugar levels in the blood. Research showed that diabetics who drank pomegranate juice for 2 weeks did not experience an increase in blood sugar levels.
3. Maintains Blood Pressure:
Pomegranate juice reduces lesions and inflammation in blood vessels, reducing high blood pressure. It also works as a natural aspirin, thinning the blood, improving blood flow in the body.
4. Protection from Cancer:
The antioxidants in the juice eliminate free radicals, thus inhibiting cancerous cell growth. Pomegranate juice is believed to induce apoptosis – a state where cancer cells destroy themselves. It's considered highly beneficial in preventing prostate cancer, as well as blocking the hormone believed to be one of the main causes of breast cancer – aromatase.
5. Soothes the Stomach:
Pomegranate juice has been used to treat diarrhea and dysentery since ancient times. It increases the production of enzymes that assist in digestion. You can add a teaspoon of honey to a glass of pomegranate juice to treat indigestion.
Anemia is caused when your body is low on red blood cells. The high levels of iron in the juice help the body produce more red blood cells. It is also considered a great remedy for red and sore eyes – simply put a few drops of the juice in your eyes.
7. Boosts Immunity:
The antioxidants in the juice stimulate white blood cells, boosting their efficiency. The juice has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, helping to reduce mouth bacteria that causes cavities and staph infections (a group of bacteria that can cause a multitude of diseases).
8. Improves Digestion:
When it comes to the digestive system, pomegranates work wonders in aiding the stomach and liver. It also helps soothe urinary tract infections and eases the flow of urine. Rich in dietary fiber, pomegranates help regulate bowel movements.
9. Helps in Cartilage Regeneration:
Pomegranate juice is known to inhibit the enzymes that cause damage to cartilage, reducing future damage to the region. Unsweetened juice can relieve arthritis, and bone inflammation. A regular intake of juice is believed to curb the onset of Alzheimer's and other neurological issues. It is also believed to help dissolve kidney stones and even help erectile dysfunction.
10. Anti-Aging Benefits:
A diet rich in pomegranate juice helps slow down aging by reducing wrinkles and fine lines caused by exposure to the sun. It also helps to sustain the regeneration of the skin, preventing hyper-pigmentation and dark spots.
11. Helps to Heal Scars
Pomegranate juice improves cell regeneration of the skin and can hasten the healing of wounds. The seeds themselves are also full of skin-beneficial nutrients, protecting against sunburns and healing sun-damage.
12. Good for Parental Care
Pomegranate juice contains many vitamins and minerals, as well as folic acid, all of which are essential in a prenatal diet. The anti-inflammatory properties help improve blood flow for both the mother and the fetus. The potassium in the juice prevents muscle cramps associated with pregnancy and is even believed to prevent premature childbirth.
13. Suited for All Skin Types:
The juice works wonders on dry skin, effectively penetrating the skin and moisturizing it. Punicic acid, an Omega 5 fatty acid in the juice, keeps the skin hydrated by locking in the moisture. The juice also helps reduce the production of sebum (an oily secretion of the seaceous glands), preventing outbreaks of pimples.
14. Improves skin texture:
A glass of pomegranate juice will give you fair and glowing skin. It will also prevent wrinkles by increasing the body's production of collagen, which provides support and strength to the skin.
15. Pomegranate Face Mask for Glowing Skin:
Mix 1 tsp. of powdered green papaya, 1 tsp. grape seed oil, and 1 tsp. grape seed extract with 2 tsp. of pomegranate juice, then apply to the face. Leave it on for an hour, then wash with warm water.
16. Prevents Hair Loss
Pomegranate juice strengthens the hair follicles, preventing hair loss and giving you rich, healthy hair.
17. Prevents Skin Cancer:
The anthocyanins and tannins in pomegranate are powerful allies in the fight against skin tumors. Apply it directly to the skin and let the ellagic acid (a natural antioxidant found in most fruits and vegetables) do what it does best – inhibit the growth of cancerous cells.
Precautions:
• If you're taking blood pressure medication, the pomegranate's natural pressure-lowering abilities may result in dangerously low blood pressure.
• Do not consume pomegranate juice if you have the flu, a cough or constipation, or if you're suffering from a phlegmatic condition.
• Similarly to grapefruits, pomegranates can interfere with some types of medication, especially statins (cholesterol medicine), antidepressants, AIDS medication and narcotic pain relief medication.
Pomegranate Nutritional Facts:
Now that you know all of this about pomegranate juice, it's not too late to add it to your daily diet.
