Pomegranate
The pomegranate is a shrub or small tree that can grow to 5m in warm climates. The pomegranate has glossy, thin leathery leaves that are narrow and lance-shaped. The fruit is between 7 and 10 cm in diameter with tough leathery outer skin 2 to 4 mm think. Each fruit contain hundreds of tightly packed kernels 4 – 5 mm wide and 6 to 8 mm long that are translucent when unripe that turn red when ripe and brown when overripe. Each kernel contain a small white seed at the centre.
In Detail
Uses:
One pomegranate delivers 40% of an adult's daily vitamin C requirement. It is also a rich source of folic acid and of antioxidants. Pomegranates are high in polyphenols.
Health:
In several human clinical trials, the juice of the pomegranate has been found effective in reducing several heart risk factors, including LDL oxidation, macrophage oxidative status, and foam cell formation, all of which are steps in atherosclerosis and heart disease. Pomegranate has been shown to reduce systolic blood pressure by inhibiting serum angiotension converting enzyme.Pomegranate juice has also been shown to be effective against certain cancers such as prostate cancer.
- he pomegranate fruit shows presence of rich beneficial antioxidants, like polyphenols, tannins and anthocyanins. The antioxidant level of pomegranate juice is higher than in other fruit juices, red wine or green tea.
- Recent research has shown that pomegranates can help fight osteoarthritis, as regular consumption of the juice always reduces down the corrosion of the cartilage.
- Pomegranate juice is also believed to increase blood flow to the heart, and is extremely beneficial for people with ischemic heart disease and some other diseases.
- It is also a good source of vitamins C and B, antioxidant polyphenols, pantothenic acid and potassium.
- Juice of the pomegranate have been found effective in curing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease
- The juice of the fruit also has antiviral and antibacterial effects against dental plaque
- Consumption of pomegranate juice has proven to help hugely in cases of prostate cancer or prostatic hyperplasia, diabetes or lymphoma
- Pomegranate juice has also shown to reduce systolic blood pressure by inhibit serum of angiotensin-converting enzyme
Nutrition
Fruit comparison tables. Overview of vitamin and mineral content including nutrition charts of the Pomegranate.
| Nutritive value per 100 g of Pomegranate | ||
| Principle | Nutritive value | |
| Fat | 0.3 gm | |
| Protein | 0.95 gm | |
| Thiamin | 0.030 mg | |
| Vitamin C | 6.1 mg | |
| Potassium | 259 mg | |
| Magnesium | 3 mg | |
| Carbohydrates | 17.17 gm | |
| Fiber | 0.6 mg | |
| Calcium | 3 mg | |
| Iron | 0.30 mg | |
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