Pomegranate is one of my top 5 favorite fruit. I am thrilled they are now in season!
Pomegranates have been a part of human diet for centuries, mentioned as early as Ancient Greek mythology.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the fruit is typically in season from September to January. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is in season from March to May.
Pomegranate
juice provides about 16% of an adult's daily vitamin C requirement per 100 ml
serving, and is a good source of vitamin B5 potassium and antioxidant
polyphenols.
Several
recent studies have shown significant potential health benefits from drinking
pomegranate juice. Health Diaries lists the following benefits:
Fights
Breast Cancer Studies in Israel show that
pomegranate juice destroys breast cancer cells while leaving healthy cells
alone. It may also prevent breast cancer cells from forming.
Lung
Cancer Prevention Studies in mice show
that pomegranate juice may inhibit the development of lung cancer.
Slows
Prostate Cancer It slowed the growth of
prostate cancer in mice.
Keeps
PSA Levels Stable In a study of 50 men who
had undergone treatment for prostate cancer, 8 ounces of pomegranate juice per
day kept PSA levels stable, reducing the need for further treatment such as
chemotherapy or hormone therapy.
Protects
the Neonatal Brain Studies show that
maternal consumption of pomegranate juice may protect the neonatal brain from
damage after injury.
Prevention
of Osteoarthritis Several studies indicate
that pomegranate juice may prevent cartilage deterioration.
Protects
the Arteries It prevents plaque from
building up in the arteries and may reverse previous plaque buildup.
Alzheimer's
Disease Prevention It may prevent and slow
Alzheimer's disease. In one study, mice bred to develop Alzheimer's disease
were given pomegranate juice. They accumulated significantly less amyloid
plaque than control mice and they performed mental tasks better.
Lowers
Cholesterol It lowers LDL (bad
cholesterol) and raises HDL (good cholesterol).
Lowers
Blood Pressure
One study showed that
drinking 1.7 ounces of pomegranate juice per day lowered systolic blood
pressure by as much as 5 percent.
Dental Protection Research suggests that drinking pomegranate juice may be a natural way to prevent dental plaque.
One traditional use of pomegranate juice is to calm diarrhea.
A word of caution: Pomegranate juice appears to interfere with certain medications much as grapefruit juice does.
When shopping, choose a pomegranate heavy for its size. The fruit ranges in size from baseball to softball. Pomegranates range in color from a pale, reddish yellow to a deep, crimson red. Color and external blemishes are no indication of quality (The skin is very thick, protecting the fruit). Pomegranates will last six to seven days unrefrigerated or up to three months in the fridge.
To cut
open the pomegranate you will need a sharp knife and a large bowl of cold water.
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