[6Wise] The Power of the Pomegranate

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Misty L. Trepke

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The Power of the Pomegranate: The 9 Health Benefits of this Wonder

Fruit, and How to Eat Them

by SixWise.com

http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/09/28/pomegranate.htm

 

For centuries, pomegranates have been regarded as a treasure among

fruits. In ancient times, the Babylonians would chew the seeds before

battle, believing it would make them invincible. And the ancient

Egyptians were buried with pomegranates.

 

In modern times, the pomegranate is a popular addition to Middle

Eastern, Indian and Iranian cuisines. In the United States,

this " jewel of winter " as it's sometimes referred to has become

widely marketed as a powerful health juice in the last couple of

years.

 

 

 

Only the seeds of this heart-healthy fruit are edible.

 

And increasing numbers of studies are confirming what it appears many

cultures have known for some time: pomegranates are indeed a wonder

fruit. If you don't regularly eat pomegranates or drink their juice,

here are nine reasons why you may want to start.

 

1. Rich in Disease-Fighting Antioxidants

Pomegranate juice may contain close to three times the antioxidants

as green tea or red wine. Antioxidants fight against free radicals --

unstable molecules that can damage DNA and cell membranes. This

cellular damage has been linked to all kinds of diseases including

cancer.

 

2. Protect Your Heart

A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

found that pomegranate juice combats hardening of the arteries and

related diseases like heart attacks and strokes. It seems to limit

the genetic tendency toward hardening of the arteries.

 

" The protective effects of pomegranate juice were higher than

previously assumed, " said Claudio Napoli, the study's author and a

professor of medicine and clinical pathology at the University of

Naples, Italy.

 

Another study in the September 16 issue of the Journal of Cardiology

found that after patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) drank

pomegranate juice every day for three months:

 

Blood flow to the heart improved by about 17 percent in the

pomegranate group.

 

Blood flow declined by 18 percent in the placebo group.

 

" In conclusion, daily consumption of pomegranate juice may improve

stress-induced myocardial ischemia in patients who have CHD, "

researchers said.

 

3. Fight Osteoarthritis

Pomegranate extract may be useful in fighting osteoarthritis,

according to a study at Case Western Reserve University, published in

The Journal of Nutrition. In lab tests, the extract:

 

Cut levels of an inflammatory chemical called interleukin-1b (IL-1b).

 

Stopped enzymes that erode cartilage.

 

Researchers said their findings " indicate the pomegranate fruit

extract or compounds derived from it may inhibit cartilage

degradation in osteoarthritis and may also be a useful nutritive

supplement for maintaining joint integrity and function. "

 

4. Keep Prostate Cancer From Returning

A study found that pomegranate juice may help fight the return of

prostate cancer among men who have had surgery or radiation for the

disease. In fact, among 48 such men who drank 8 ounces of pomegranate

juice each day until their prostate cancer progressed:

 

The juice significantly lengthened the time it took for the men's

average PSA levels (a gauge of prostate cancer progression) to double.

 

None of the men developed cancer that spread beyond the prostate

during the study.

 

 

 

It's been suggested that the apple in the biblical Garden of Eden was

actually a pomegranate.

 

" Pomegranate juice contains antioxidant chemicals that may have

cancer-preventing benefits, " the researchers said.

 

5. Help Lower Bad Cholesterol

Antioxidants in pomegranates have been found to reduce the oxidation

of LDL (bad) cholesterol in mice, according to a study in the

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

 

6. Lower Blood Pressure

A study also found that pomegranates help lower blood pressure among

people with hypertension.

 

7. Get Your Nutrients

One pomegranate has about 40 percent of the recommended daily vitamin

C requirement for adults, along with folic acid, fiber, potassium,

niacin and vitamins A and E.

 

8. Protection for Newborns

A study published in Pediatric Research found that drinking

pomegranate juice during pregnancy helped protect newborns' brains

during traumatic births.

 

9. Fight Breast Cancer

Israeli researchers found that pomegranate seed oil causes breast

cancer cells to self-destruct, while leaving healthy cells unharmed.

 

How to Eat (and Enjoy) a Pomegranate

 

Eating a pomegranate takes some work because the edible seeds are

encased in an inedible white membrane. The seeds are the part you

want to eat -- they have a tangy, sweet-sour flavor -- or use to make

juice, jellies and marinades. Here's the best way to get to them:

 

Slice the crown end of the pomegranate off.

 

Score the rind in several places around the fruit (from top to

bottom).

 

Break (or cut) the sections apart.

 

Put the sections in a bowl of water.

 

Pry the seeds out with your fingers (be careful, the juice will stain

clothes permanently).

 

Strain the seeds using a colander.

 

The seeds can be eaten right away, stored in the refrigerator or even

frozen.

 

Looking for a special treat? Try this tasty recipe for Pomegranate

Ginger Muffins from the Pomegranate Council: