Wang Yumei, head nutritionist of the Department of Nutrition at the First Affiliated Hospital of Tsinghua University, introduced that pomegranates contain various amino acids and trace elements, and have multiple benefits such as aiding digestion, preventing gastric ulcers, softening blood vessels, and lowering blood lipids. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, pomegranates are described as warm in nature with a sweet, sour, and astringent taste, and are believed to promote the production of body fluids to quench thirst, stop diarrhea, and control bleeding. They can be used to treat conditions like a dry mouth and throat, and vexing thirst. For those who have consumed too much alcohol, pomegranates can also help in sobering up.
In addition to the arils, the pomegranate rind also has medicinal properties. It is reported that the pelletierine found in the rind has an inhibitory effect on *Salmonella typhi*, *Shigella dysenteriae*, *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*, *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, and various skin fungi. The pomegranate rind has significant antibacterial and astringent properties, which can cause the intestinal mucosa to contract and reduce secretions, thus effectively treating diarrhea, dysentery, and other related conditions. As autumn is a common season for diarrhea in children, some doctors use a pomegranate rind decoction to treat cases without dehydration or with only mild dehydration, showing good clinical results.
To select a good pomegranate, one should look at its color. It is reported that green pomegranates are unripe, red ones have been exposed to more sunlight, and yellow ones have grown in shaded areas. Among them, the yellow pomegranate not only has a thinner rind and more flesh, but its seeds are also plump, red, sweet, sour, and juicy.
Although pomegranates are beneficial, they should not be consumed in excess. Experts point out that pomegranates are high in sugar, and overeating can lead to "heatiness" (a concept in TCM), so they should be eaten in moderation.