When it comes to pomegranates, everyone is surely familiar with them. Under their rough rinds lie crystal-clear, jewel-like arils. Do you know about the nutritional value of pomegranates? Are you aware of their medicinal value? Let's explore the nutritional and medicinal value of pomegranates together!
The Nutritional Value of Pomegranates
Pomegranates are shaped like tumors, containing seeds within their skin. They are harvested and eaten in the autumn when the fruit is ripe, and their flavors are generally either sour or sweet. The vibrant pomegranate, red as agate and white as crystal, is very attractive. Fresh pomegranates are sweet with a slight sourness, and when processed into drinks, they are refreshing and delicious. Pomegranates are not only rich in nutrition but also beautiful in shape and color. The Jin Dynasty writer Pan Yue wrote in his "Ode to the Pomegranate": "The pomegranate is a wondrous tree under heaven, a famous fruit of the nine provinces. It is a dazzling spectacle, its light shining upon its substance, its flavor浸液, its fragrance overflowing." He described the color, fragrance, taste, and form of the pomegranate with captivating charm, making one's mouth water.
Pomegranates are particularly rich in nutrients, containing various nutrients needed by the human body. The fruit contains vitamins C and B group, organic acids, sugars, proteins, fats, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. According to analysis, pomegranate fruit contains 17% carbohydrates, 79% water, and 13-17% sugar. The vitamin C content is 1-2 times higher than that of apples, while the fat and protein content is relatively low. The fruit is mainly eaten fresh, but can also be made into high-quality beverages.
Pomegranate juice contains various amino acids and trace elements, and has multiple functions such as aiding digestion, preventing gastric ulcers, softening blood vessels, lowering blood lipids and blood sugar, and reducing cholesterol. It can prevent coronary heart disease and hypertension, and has the effects of strengthening the stomach, refreshing the mind, enhancing appetite, and prolonging life. It also has a remarkable effect on sobering up for those who have consumed too much alcohol.
The pomegranate is a treasure from top to toe; its fruit peel, roots, and flowers can all be used as medicine. The fruit peel contains malic acid, tannins, alkaloids, and other ingredients. According to relevant experiments, pomegranate peel has obvious antibacterial and astringent functions. It can cause the intestinal mucosa to contract and reduce the secretions of the intestinal mucosa, so it can effectively treat diarrhea, dysentery, and other conditions. It also has a good inhibitory effect on *Shigella* and *E. coli*. In addition, the fruit peel of the pomegranate contains alkaline substances, which have the effect of expelling parasites; pomegranate flowers have hemostatic functions, and washing the eyes with water infused with pomegranate flowers can also improve eyesight.
Red pomegranates are rich in minerals and have two major antioxidant components—pomegranate polyphenols and anthocyanins. They also contain linolenic acid, vitamins C, B6, E, and folic acid. The mineral extracts of calcium, magnesium, zinc, etc., contained in red pomegranates can quickly replenish the moisture lost by the skin, making the skin brighter and softer.
The Medicinal Value of Pomegranates
1. Pomegranates can delay aging
Researchers at the Israel Institute of Technology have found that pomegranates contain high levels of antioxidants that delay aging, prevent atherosclerosis, and slow down the process of cancer. Both pomegranate wine and pomegranate juice are very beneficial to the human body. This discovery provides a scientific basis for the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of pomegranates and their products. Whether it is fresh juice or fermented pomegranate wine, its flavonoid content exceeds that of red wine. Flavonoids can neutralize oxygen free radicals in the human body that induce disease and aging. Researchers also noted that the content of punicic acid in the polyunsaturated oil extracted from dried pomegranate seeds is as high as 80%. This is a very unique and effective antioxidant that can be used to resist the destructive effects of inflammation and oxygen free radicals in the human body. The researchers stated that arteriosclerosis, aging, and cancer are all long-term, slow-developing processes. If one starts to consume an appropriate amount of pomegranate wine or juice from the age of 20 or even earlier, it will be beneficial to their own health and longevity.
2. Pomegranate juice can prevent heart disease
Professor Aviram of the Israel Academy of Engineering Sciences published his latest research findings in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition regarding the effects of juice on cardiovascular diseases. He stated that for preventing and treating heart disease caused by arteriosclerosis, pomegranate juice is better than red wine. Usually, the oxidation and deposition of cholesterol in the body can lead to arteriosclerosis and cause heart disease. Aviram's research confirmed that drinking 2-3 glasses of pomegranate juice daily for two weeks can slow down the oxidation process by 40% and reduce the deposited oxidized cholesterol. Even after stopping consumption, this magical effect can still last for a month. He asserted that the clinical effect of pomegranate juice in resisting cardiovascular diseases is extraordinary. Aviram's initial experiment was conducted on a mouse. He asserted that this mouse, which was in the artificially induced arteriosclerosis formation stage, had only half the arteriosclerotic damage at the site of the artery after drinking pomegranate juice for 11 weeks, compared to the control group that did not drink pomegranate juice. In subsequent human artery experiments, he found that the active ingredients in pomegranate juice not only reduced the process of cholesterol oxidation but also simultaneously reduced the retention and deposition of low-density lipoprotein to a minimum level. The vibrant pomegranate, red as agate and white as crystal, is very attractive. Fresh pomegranates are sweet with a slight sourness, and when processed into drinks, they are refreshing and delicious.
3. Both the pomegranate flesh and peel are medicinal
Folk remedies use one sour pomegranate, chewed together with its seeds, to treat poor appetite and indigestion. To treat mouth sores and oral ulcers, a sour pomegranate is crushed with its seeds, soaked in boiling water, filtered, and cooled. The resulting liquid is used for frequent gargles daily. It is also suitable for bad breath and sore throat. People often discard the pomegranate peel after eating the fruit, which is a real pity. Because the pomegranate peel is the main medicinal part of the pomegranate. It is warm, sour, and astringent in nature, and has the effects of expelling parasites, astringency, and stopping diarrhea. For chronic diarrhea that has not healed for a long time, pomegranate peel can be decocted in water with an appropriate amount of brown sugar, taken in two doses before meals; or the pomegranate peel can be baked dry, ground into powder, mixed with an appropriate amount of brown sugar, and taken in the morning with rice soup. Pomegranate peel can also be used to expel parasites. Using pomegranate peel and areca nut together in a decoction can treat ascariasis and taeniasis.
Warm reminder:
When using pomegranate peel to expel parasites, only saline laxatives such as magnesium sulfate or sodium sulfate can be used. Do not use castor oil as a laxative to avoid poisoning.