Pomegranate...The Key to Complete Health??
According to legend, pomegranates grew in the garden of Eden, and the fruit has been used as a folk medicine for thousands of years...
One of the oldest known fruits, found in writings and artifacts of many cultures and religions, the pomegranate (punica granatum) is an original native of Persia. This nutrient dense, antioxidant rich fruit has been revered as a symbol of health, fertility and eternal life.
If you're not familiar with the pomegranate, it is a red fruit with a tough outer layer; only the juice and the seeds inside are edible. Pomegranate juice is available year round, but you can purchase fresh pomegranates in most grocery stores from September through January. When refrigerated in a plastic bag, pomegranates keep for up to 2 months. Try tossing the seeds on a salad for a brilliantly colorful, crunchy, and nutritious addition.
Seeding a pomegranate may seem like a lot of work for just a piece of fruit but think again, getting at those seeds may be well worth it. The pomegranate is a nutrient dense food source rich in phytochemical compounds. Pomegranates contain high levels of flavonoids and polyphenols, potent antioxidants offering protection against heart disease and cancer. A glass of pomegranate juice has more antioxidants than red wine, green tea, blueberries, and cranberries.
Amazing Clinical Results
This fantastic little fruit recently made its way back into the news after some spectacular clinical results. Here's what you need to know:
A compound found only in pomegranate and its juice called punicalagin is shown to benefit the heart and blood vessels. Punicalagin is the major component responsible for pomegranate's antioxidant and health benefits. It not only lowers cholesterol, but also lowers blood pressure and increases the speed at which heart blockages (atherosclerosis) melt away.
Recent medical research studied heart patients with severe carotid artery blockages. They were given an ounce of pomegranate juice each day for a year. Not only did study participants' blood pressure lower by over 12 percent, but there was a 30 percent reduction in atherosclerotic plaque. Just as astounding, participants who did not take the pomegranate juice saw their atherosclerotic plaque increase by 9 percent.
In other studies, potent antioxidant compounds found in pomegranates have shown to reduce platelet aggregation and naturally lower blood pressure, factors that prevent both heart attacks and strokes.
Not only are pomegranates good for your heart and blood vessels but they have been shown to inhibit breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, leukemia and to prevent vascular changes that promote tumor growth in lab animals. Several in vitro studies have shown this remarkable anti-cancer effect. Additional studies and clinical trials currently taking place are hopeful to reveal this fascinating effect on humans.
Also of note, pomegranate juice contains phytochemical compounds that stimulate serotonin and estrogen receptors, improving symptoms of depression and increasing bone mass in lab animals.
Health Benefits of the Pomegranate
Most powerful anti-oxidant of all fruits
Potent anti-cancer and immune supporting effects
Inhibits abnormal platelet aggregation that could cause heart attacks, strokes and embolic disease
Lowers cholesterol and other cardiac risk factors
Lowers blood pressure
Shown to promote reversal of atherosclerotic plaque in human studies
May have benefits to relieve or protect against depression and osteoporosis
Many studies show that the pomegranate is one of the most powerful, nutrient dense foods for overall good health. These clinical findings clearly show a correlation between pomegranate compounds and their positive effect on both human and animal cardiovascular, nervous, and skeletal health. This is one fruit that you can't afford to exclude from your diet!
Seeding a Pomegranate
Cut the crown (protruding blossom end) off the pomegranate, removing with it some of the pale-yellow pith. Take care not to pierce the seeds within.
Lightly score the skin in quarters from stem to crown end.
Immerse the scored fruit in a large bowl of cool water and soak for 5 minutes. Holding the fruit under water, break sections apart with your fingers, separating the seeds from membrane. The seeds will sink to the bottom of the bowl.
Discard skin and membranes. Drain the seeds and dry on paper towels.
Antioxidant Rich Smoothie
Serves: 2 Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients: 8 cups organic baby spinach 1 cup pomegranate juice 1 cup blueberries, frozen 1 cup strawberries, frozen 8 dates, cut in half 2 tablespoons flaxseeds, ground 1/2 avocado, optional
Instructions: Blend all ingredients together in you JR Ultra Touch Blender or add all ingredients to your JR Ultra juicer using the smoothie filter . This is delicious & very healthy!
Let us know how you add Pomegranate to you regime below and don't forget to email us or post to Facebook your juicing success stories, we would love to here them and will always add them to our news news blog.
Sources:
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/pomegranate
https://www.drfuhrman.com/library/article19.aspx
Links to gorgeous Juicy Retreats recipes using pomegranate:
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