Prevents Cancer, High BP, Heart Diseases; 8 Reasons You Should Eat Pomegranate
The pomegranate, or Punica granatum, is a shrub that produces a red fruit . Categorized as a berry, the pomegranate fruit is about 5-12 cm (2-5 inches) in diameter. It is red, round and looks kind of like a red apple with a flower-shaped stem.
The skin of the pomegranate is thick and inedible, but there are hundreds of edible seeds called arils within. Here are the importants reasons you should eat pomegranate
Enriched With Important Nutrients
Pomegranate is one of the most healthy fruits, it is rich in fiber, protein, folate, potassium and both vitamin C & K. The nutrient breakdown of one cup of arils (174 grams) contains:
Fiber: 7 grams.
Protein: 3 grams.
Vitamin C: 30% of the RDA.
Vitamin K: 36% of the RDA.
Folate: 16% of the RDA.
Potassium: 12% of the RDA.
Sugar: 24 grams of sugar, and 144 calories.
Helps The Brain
There is some evidence that pomegranate can improve memory. In one study in surgical patients, 2 grams of pomegranate extract prevented deficits in memory after the surgery.
Another study in 28 elderly individuals with memory complaints found that 237 ml (8 oz) of pomegranate juice per day significantly improved markers of verbal and visual memory.
There is also some evidence from studies in mice that pomegranate can help fight Alzheimer’s disease
Prevents Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is among the leading drivers of many killer diseases. This includes heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and even obesity.
Pomegranate has potent anti-inflammatory properties, which are largely mediated by the antioxidant properties of the punicalagins.
Test tube studies have shown that it can reduce inflammatory activity in the digestive tract, as well as in breast cancer and colon cancer cells.
One study in diabetics found that 250 ml of pomegranate juice per day for 12 weeks lowered the inflammatory markers CRP and interleukin-6 by 32% and 30%, respectively.
Helps in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
Oxidative damage can impair blood flow in all areas of the body, including erectile tissue. Pomegranate juice has been shown to be beneficial in increasing blood flow and erectile response in rabbits.
In a study of 53 men with erectile dysfunction, pomegranate appeared to have some benefit, but it was not statistically significant