The pomegranate has a long history of cultivation in China, with currently about 70 varieties, divided into two main categories: ornamental and edible. The Tang Dynasty "History Book" records that Empress Wu Zetian issued an imperial edict, naming the pomegranate the "Beauty of Many Seeds". Since then, the pomegranate became a tribute item for successive imperial courts, symbolizing "a hundred children in reunion".
Nutritional Value of Pomegranate
Pomegranates contain vitamins C and B, organic acids, sugars, proteins, fats, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. Among these, the vitamin C content is 1-2 times higher than that of apples, and the phytochemical content is about 5 times higher.
1. Pomegranate Juice: Pomegranate juice contains various amino acids and trace elements and has multiple functions, including aiding digestion, preventing gastric ulcers, softening blood vessels, lowering blood lipids and blood sugar, and reducing cholesterol.
2. Pomegranate Seeds: Dried, mature pomegranate seeds have high nutritional value and pharmacological effects such as antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-diarrheal properties. The main chemical components in pomegranate seeds are sterols, phospholipids, and glycerides.
3. Pomegranate Peel: Pomegranate peels contain components such as malic acid, tannins, and alkaloids, which can effectively treat diarrhea, dysentery, and other ailments. Additionally, the alkaline substances in the pomegranate peel have insect-repelling properties.
4. Pomegranate Flowers: Pomegranate flowers can stop nasal congestion, spitting blood, and external bleeding. Soaking pomegranate flowers in water to wash the eyes has a brightening effect.
5. Pomegranate Leaves: Young pomegranate leaves can strengthen the stomach, regulate the intestines, promote digestion, and aid in food digestion. When used externally, they can treat eye diseases and skin diseases.
Benefits and Effects of Pomegranate
1. Strengthening the Body Pomegranate has multiple functions, including aiding digestion, preventing gastric ulcers, softening blood vessels, lowering blood lipids and blood sugar, and reducing cholesterol. It can prevent coronary heart disease and high blood pressure, and has the effects of strengthening the stomach, refreshing the mind, enhancing appetite, and prolonging life.
2. Inhibiting E. coli Pomegranate peel has obvious antibacterial and astringent effects. It can cause the intestinal mucosa to contract and reduce the secretions of the intestinal mucosa, thus effectively treating diarrhea, dysentery, and other conditions. It also has a good inhibitory effect on *Shigella* and *E. coli*.
3. Insect Repellent The peel of the pomegranate contains alkaline substances that have insect-repelling properties.
4. Hemostatic and Vision-Improving Pomegranate flowers are sour, astringent, and neutral in nature. When dried and ground into powder, they have good hemostatic effects and can also stop red and white vaginal discharge. Soaking pomegranate flowers in water to wash the eyes can also improve vision.
4 Points to Remember When Choosing a Pomegranate
Yellow varieties are sweeter. Many people think the redder the fruit, the sweeter it is, but this does not apply to choosing pomegranates. There are many varieties of pomegranates, with red and yellow skins being common. Generally, yellow varieties are sweeter. Sweet pomegranates have a closed calyx, rough skin, and short, wide leaves; while sour pomegranates often have an open calyx, a regular shape, shiny skin, and narrow, long leaves.
Pomegranates with ridges are sweeter. When buying pomegranates, many people's first reaction is to pick those that look round and smooth. In fact, pomegranates with a round appearance tend to have thicker skins. Conversely, those with prominent ridges are thinner, fully ripe, and sweeter.
Heavier in weight means more juice. Generally, for two pomegranates of the same size, the one that feels heavier has more moisture, more juice, and fuller seeds.
Firm skin means it's fresh. A pomegranate with a shiny and firm skin is fresh. A loose skin with dark spots may have been stored for too long. Additionally, a pomegranate without scratches and with branches and leaves is fresher.
Finally, here's a little tip for peeling a pomegranate: Make a horizontal cut at the top of the pomegranate and remove the cap. Then, use a knife to score the white membranes on the skin a few times, being careful not to cut too deep. Next, use the tip of the knife to gently pierce and remove the central white core. Finally, gently break it apart, and the pomegranate will "blossom," making it easy to remove the seeds.