The pomegranate is an intricate fruit that contains a maze of seeds inside a hard, bark-like, inedible flesh. It may initially look like it’s hard to eat, but this super fruit is nutritious, sweet, juicy and has a lot of health benefits.
– Cut off the crown (you’ll see it) and discard in your compost pile.
– Score and slice the rind all around, but don’t cut the rind all the way through.
– Soak the pomegranate face down in cold water for about ten minutes.
– While the pomegranate is still in the bowl of water, break apart the scored rinds, and remove the seeds from the flesh (the seeds will sink to the bottom of your bowl).
– Remove the rind and membrane from the bowl with a sieve or spoon.
– Drain the seeds with a colander and pat dry with a paper towel.
To get the most out of an organic pomegranate, eat the seeds while they’re at their freshest and juiciest. This is when their therapeutic powers are at their peak! Speaking of powers, here’s what they can do for you:
Bowchicawowow! Pomegranates have long been associated with fertility and abundance in many different cultures because of their amount of seeds. But recently, studies have shown pomegranate’s Viagra effect (wink, wink). A study by Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh found that consumption of pure pomegranate juice significantly increased salivary testosterone levels (average of 24 percent). It also had positive effects on blood pressure and mood. Elevated testosterone can lead to heightened moods and increased sexual desire.
If you have concerns about erectile dysfunction, try pomegranate juice! The juice from a pomegranate has been shown to be beneficial in increasing blood flow and erectile response in animal studies so benefits of pomegranate as a natural remedy for impotence might soon be found for humans as well.
When it comes to cancer, more and more research shows that pomegranate seeds are a potent cancer-fighting food. Pomegranate has been shown to exert antitumor effects on various types of cancer cells.
Multiple studies show that pomegranate extracts inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells and even stimulate the programmed cell death of breast cancer cells. Pomegranate seed oil contains punicic acid. This omega-5 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid is shown to inhibit breast cancer proliferation.
Further research suggests that drinking pomegranate juice may also slow the growth of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the leading cancer for men in the U.S. In a study of male subjects with recurrent prostate cancer and rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, researchers found that taking pomegranate juice extract significantly slowed the rate at which PSA was rising. Other studies have found that certain compounds in pomegranate juice show potent antitumorigenic effects and inhibited the growth of prostate cancer cells in the laboratory.
The juice of pomegranate seeds contains different types of antioxidants and bioactive polyphenols that have been reported to promote cardiovascular health, including healthy blood pressure levels, through several mechanisms.
A 2013 study concluded that consumption of pomegranate juice should be considered in the context of…
… both dietary and pharmacological interventions for hypertension (high blood pressure). (14) Another study published in Phytotherapy Research also found that pomegranate juice is a beneficial cardioprotective supplement for hypertensive subjects and lowered blood pressure naturally after just two weeks of daily intake.
Antioxidants help reduce the “bad” kind of cholesterol, called low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Since pomegranate juice contains more antioxidants than many other fruit juices, it’s thought that the dark red drink may help lower your cholesterol.
They keep you looking young: Turns out, pomegranates aren’t just for eating (or drinking). The tart fruit is also packed with anti-aging compounds that make it the perfect ingredient for a DIY exfoliating skin scrub.
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