Pomegranate | powerful pops of flavour and festive fun

Many years ago, pomegranates were viewed as exotic fruit in North America. Like Mandarin oranges, they were precious imports brought over on ships for that once-a-year treat at Christmas and Hannukah. In recent years, as you might have noticed, the pomegranate has received the designation of “superfood” (foods with the highest nutritional values). Pomegranates truly are super with high dietary fibre, folate, potassium, copper, Vitamin C and Vitamin K. Since ancient times, these fabulous fleshy seeds have been used for fertility, though it turns out, they do so much more.

The greatest benefit of the pomegranate appears to be its ability to reduce different types of inflammation in the body.¹ Pomegranates contain antioxidants, like polyphenols, tannins and anthocyannins, which effects removal of free radicals from your body cells. It also helps in repair of cells and boosts the immune system.

Pomegranate juice is among the super healthiest drinks of today. It is helpful in osteoarthritis and keeping your skin, and heart, healthy.

Note: Be aware that plastic-bottled juice will absorb the toxins from its packaging. Look for pomegranate juice in glass bottles.

Word of caution: Pomegranate juice appears to interfere with certain medications the same way that grapefruit juice does so, be certain and ask your doctor, if you're taking any prescriptions.

5 bold reasons to include pomegranate in your life…

1. Pomegranate reduces joint pain and inflammation.

At the source of any joint pain is always a cascade of enzyme reactions leading your body to trigger inflammation and, ultimately, pain. Pomegranates have been shown to halt enzyme reactions before the inflammation is able to occur and, as a result, pain is reduced.¹

2. Pomegranates can treat malaria.

In ancient Indian culture, this was the only remedy that was available for the treatment of malaria because of its powerful anti-parasitic properties.² Remember to stock up on pomegranates before your next tropical  vacation to ward off those pesky parasites.

3. Pomegranates can be used as an anti-viral.

Protect yourself during winter months by stocking up on pomegranates. The anti-viral component of these fruits is so powerful that it is currently being studied as an alternative treatment for HIV (with promising results).²

4. Pomegranates lower cholesterol.

Pomegranate flowers contain an oil, called oleanolic acid, that improves the metabolism of free triglycerides found in the blood.³ These triglycerides are what lead to the collection of LDL cholesterol and arterial wall blockages, thereby leading to atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the artery walls) and increasing your susceptibility to heart disease.

5. Pomegranates protect your cardiovascular system.

For plaque to begin to form in your arteries, there first must be damage to your arterial walls (caused by free-radicals).⁴ Pomegranates contain powerful antioxidants that eat up these free radicals and target the lining of your blood vessels and prevent them from damage. The ultimate prevention food!

References

1. Salahuddin Ahmed, Naizhen Wang, Bilal Bin Hafeez, Vinay K. Cheruvu, and Tariq M. Haqqi: “Punica granatum L. Extract Inhibits IL-1β–Induced Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases by Inhibiting the Activation of MAP Kinases and NF-κB in Human Chondrocytes In Vitro.” J Nutr. 2005 September; 135(9): 2096–2102.
2. Mario Dell'Agli, Germana V Galli, Michela Bulgari, Nicoletta Basilico, Sergio Romeo, Deepak Bhattacharya, Donatella Taramelli and Enrica Bosisio: “Ellagitannins of the fruit rind of pomegranate (Punica granatum) antagonize in vitro the host inflammatory response mechanisms involved in the onset of malaria.” Dell'Agli et al. Malaria Journal 2010, 9:208
3. Tom Hsun-Wei Huang, Gang Peng, Bhavani Prasad Kota, George Qian Li, 2Johji Yamahara, Basil D. Roufogalis & Yuhao L: “Pomegranate flower improves cardiac lipid metabolism in a diabetic rat model: role of lowering circulating lipids.” British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 145, 767–774 & 2005 Nature Publishing Group
4. Filomena de Nigris, Sharon Williams-Ignarro, Lilach O. Lerman‡, Ettore Crimi, Chiara Botti, Gelsomina Mansueto, Francesco P. D’Armiento, Gaetano De Rosa, Vincenzo Sica, Louis J. Ignarro