Many of us have heard of the pomegranate; it has been written about in famous literature and even in mythology. The problem is that far fewer people have ever eaten pomegranate or even seen it. Pomegranate has tons of wonderful benefits that you should know about. Once you know everything it can do for you, you’ll probably find yourself eating or drinking pomegranate every day.
Pomegranates help promote heart health and proper circulation. They contain three times the antioxidants of wine or green tea which, among other things, promote a healthy heart. Regular consumption of pomegranate juice has been shown not only to stop hardening of artery walls and build-up of plaque; it has actually been shown to reverse these problems. Having clear, soft arteries helps reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. If your concern is cholesterol levels, pomegranate has also been shown to lower levels of bad cholesterol and raise your good cholesterol levels.
The antioxidants in pomegranate give it power to help prevent and even treat cancer. While pomegranate has been indicated for breast and skin cancer, the most promising research is with prostate cancer in men. Regular consumption of pomegranate juice can significantly lower PSA levels in the body. These chemicals are not only an indicator of your risk level for prostate cancer and other problems; they also indicate how well a man will respond to cancer treatment, radiation and chemotherapy.
In case this isn’t enough of a reason for you to start consuming more pomegranates, there are still more benefits from this amazing fruit. We already know it’s brimming with antioxidants. These powerful chemicals have been shown to reduce the effects of aging and prevent Alzheimer’s. Pomegranate has also been shown in studies to prevent cartilage damage and protect babies from brain damage during birth. While many of its uses have not been studied, pomegranate has traditionally been used to clear skin, reduce inflammation, and help with sore throats.
So, if this fruit is so wonderful, why don’t we see it more often? Pomegranates have a short season and don’t keep well. It’s almost impossible to find fresh pomegranate out of season. Many areas haven’t grown them until recently, and they hadve to be shipped from the Mediterranean. Now you have several options for getting the benefits of pomegranate all year round. You can find several brands of pomegranate juice in your local grocery store. If you’re not a big fan of the taste, you can also find pomegranate mixed with other familiar juices to give it a more pleasant flavor. Just make sure the product you get is 100% juice and doesn’t have added sugars and fillers. You can find pomegranates at certain times of the year. You can either skin and deseed them for freezing, or just throw them in the juicer and freeze it for later.