Originally published March 16 2016
How pomegranates can help every inch of your body - from oral care, to skin care, to fertility and more
by J. D. Heyes
(NaturalNews) There is hardly a better superfood than pomegranates, and for all the good they do your body, they should be a daily part of your diet.
As reported by Top 10 Home Remedies, pomegranates have been a popular fruit in the Middle East, Asia and India throughout history, but in recent decades they have become more popular in other regions of the world, in large part because of their many health benefits and outstanding nutritional value.
As the site notes further:
"They are an excellent source of dietary fiber as well as vitamins C, K and several B vitamins. Other nutrients include iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, folate, manganese, selenium and zinc. The fruit is also a good source of omega-6 fatty acids.
"The arils, as well as the rind, have many medicinal benefits due to the antioxidants in them, such as polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids and anthocyanins."
In addition, this tasty fruit has antiviral, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties as well. Relatively low in calories, pomegranates can also be enjoyed by folks who are watching their weight.
The arils, or seed pods, can be eaten raw or made into a healthy juice which has a distinctly tart flavor. Also, the arils can be added to a host of other foods and recipes including soups, main courses, desserts and smoothies. And you can even make oil with the seeds – an oil that has a range of cosmetic benefits, according to Top 10 Home Remedies.
How beneficial are pomegranates? Let's count the ways:
-- Heart healthy: Every year, in excess of 1 million Americans will suffer a heart attack or stroke, and many will die – suddenly. A significant number of those deaths will be the first, and only, symptom those victims experience. Anyone lucky enough to survive such an attack may face a number of invasive procedures, a remaining lifetime of disability, or both. And that doesn't even include what Big Pharma's cut will be.
As reported by Life Extension magazine:
"In both laboratory and clinical studies, pomegranate shows great promise in averting the numerous pathological changes associated with cardiovascular disease. Scientists believe pomegranate works through several mechanisms to fight cardiovascular disease by:
-- reducing oxidative stress
-- supporting the synthesis and activity of nitric oxide
-- inhibiting the oxidation of potentially harmful LDL (low-density lipoprotein)"
-- Overall cardiovascular health: Keeping our blood pressure under control has been found to reduce the instance of heart attack and stroke, and fortunately, pomegranates have been found to assist with that.
As noted by the U.K.'s Express, researchers at "Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh found that people who drank 500ml of pomegranate juice every day for four weeks had lower levels of unsaturated fatty acids which are linked to the storage of abdominal fat."
In addition, according to the 2012 study, researchers found a "significant" drop in blood pressure, with a reduction seen in 90 percent of subjects involved in the study.
Adds Top 10 Home Remedies: "A 2011 study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practices says that pomegranate juice consumption inhibits serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity and reduces systolic blood pressure."
-- Aches and pains: Pomegranate juice has also been linked to reductions in joint swelling (inflammation) and pain.
"A small 2011 study showed that pomegranate extract decreased joint tenderness in [rheumatoid arthritis] patients by 62 percent. Researchers credited the fruit's antioxidative properties, concluding that pomegranates may help lessen symptoms in people who have RA," reported HealthLine.
-- Keeping cancer at bay: Research indicates that pomegranates work to inhibit some forms of cancer, especially prostate, breast, lung and skin cancer.
"A 2012 study published in ISRN Pharmaceutics reports that cytotoxic activities of pomegranate extract is likely to be valuable for the treatment of prostate cell line by induction of apoptosis," Top 10 Home Remedies reported. "A 2014 study published in Molecular Carcinogenesis highlights the anti-proliferative effects of pomegranate extract in breast cancer cells."
Sources:
Top10HomeRemedies.com
LifeExtension.com
Express.co.uk
HealthLine.com
Science.NaturalNews.com
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