Pomegranate: 10 properties and benefits of this healthy fruit

This fruit of Asian origin has many beneficial properties for the body.

Five pieces of fruit a day. This is the recommendation that a large number of experts make regarding the need for the consumption of vegetables in our diet in order to make it balanced and healthy. And if this recommendation is made is because this type of vegetables contains a large amount of essential and valuable elements for the optimal maintenance of our health.

In addition, we have a wide variety of this type of food, having each of them different compositions that can be more or less beneficial in different aspects.

One of them, which is not usually one of the first ones we imagine when we think of fruits, is the pomegranate. And although it is not usually taken into account as much as the orange or apple, the truth is that we are facing a very beneficial fruit for health. It is for this reason that throughout this article we will emphasize the properties and benefits of the pomegranate in our health..

The pomegranate: a very healthy fruit

We call pomegranate to an important and very healthful fruit coming from the tree Punica granatumpopularly known as pomegranate. This fruit, which outwardly resembles a bulb of yellowish to reddish color, is consumed today in most parts of the world despite being considered exotic. The part that is consumed are its numerous seeds or arils, fleshy and reddish in color, which are usually extracted and used in different ways.

Although it is not the most consumed fruit, the truth is that it is a food that has been available and has enjoyed popularity since ancient times in much of the Mediterranean, being known by civilizations such as the Greek or Egyptian and even found in Bronze Age sites, such as Jericho. In fact, references to it can be found in the sacred texts of the Hebrew and Muslim religions, the Torah and the Koran, as well as in Christianity.

It is considered that its region of origin is considered to be in an area stretching from ancient Persia and Babylonia to India, from where it was gradually introduced into the world.From there it was gradually introduced to the rest of Asia and eventually to Europe (in Spain it was introduced by the Arabs during the Middle Ages) and America.

Properties and benefits of pomegranate

The pomegranate is a very healthy and beneficial fruit for health, of which several very interesting properties have been discovered thanks to its composition rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber among many other elements. Specifically, the following properties of pomegranate are usually highlighted.

1. A powerful antioxidant

Pomegranate seeds contain components such as punicalagins, a type of hydrolyzable tannin, and flavonoids such as cyanidin. Both groups of elements have a high antioxidant power. This helps to keep cell damage caused by free radicals at bay, as well as a lower level of cell degeneration.This contributes to a lower level of cellular degeneration and a slowing down of tissue aging.

2. It has an astringent effect

Thanks to its high content of polyphenols, pomegranate has the property of helping to retain and absorb the liquid from digested food, making it difficult to expel soft and continuous stools. This is why it is sometimes recommended to treat cases of diarrhea. In this case, this property is more specific to the peel, with which infusions can be prepared..

3. Reduces blood pressure and helps prevent cardiovascular problems.

Several studies seem to show that pomegranate has the interesting property of reducing blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular problems. It has also been observed that it contributes to reduce atherosclerosis, reducing the risk of thrombi and favoring a healthier blood circulation.

4. Aphrodisiac and sexual health effects

Another property that has traditionally been attributed to the pomegranate is the fact that it is an aphrodisiac fruit. And some research seems to suggest that generates an increase in the level of testosterone in both sexes, as well as estrogens in the case of women.and estrogen in the case of women, something that could contribute not only at a sexual level but also in aspects such as the strengthening of bones and muscles.

Also, as we have mentioned above, the fact of helping to prevent atherosclerosis makes the vascular system remain healthy and the passage of blood to erogenous zones is not so hindered for that reason.

5. Anti-inflammatory

Pomegranate juice and specifically one of its components which we have already mentioned above, punicalagins, also has an interesting anti-inflammatory action that can be useful in contributing to improving inflammatory states of some body systems..

6. Possible antitumor action

The pomegranate has also been found to be effective in the prevention of different types of cancer, such as colon cancer, as well as interfering in some studies in the proliferation of certain tumors.

7. Helps memory function

The aforementioned antioxidant effects and the increase in testosterone in both sexes seems to be associated with a better memory function, and may help prevent possible deterioration from the effects of free radicals that damage neurons..

8. Diuretic and slimming

With a high potassium content, it has been observed that pomegranate is also a diuretic fruit. is also a diuretic fruitcontributing and facilitating urination and the expulsion of harmful elements from the blood through urine. In addition, being rich seems to have a positive effect on body fat control, since in addition to being low in calories it helps reduce body fat and prevent obesity.

9. Supports the immune system

The consumption of pomegranate can be an interesting option for the reinforcement of the immune system, since it provides a large amount of essential nutrients minerals such as calcium, potassium and iron, and vitamins as important as C or A..

This makes it easier to fight different infections and problems, as well as preventing and combating anemia. It is also good for tissue regeneration.

10. Antiseptic, Antifungal and antiparasitic action.

Other interesting properties of this fruit is the fact that it has been observed that it helps to fight different bacteria, fungi and even intestinal parasites, something that makes pomegranate a useful fruit for the prevention of infections. This effect is not only achieved by consuming the arils, but is also observed in its use as a mouthwash.

Bibliographical references:

• Stowe, C.B. (2011). The effects of pomegranate juice consumption on blood pressure and cardiovascular health. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 14 (2). PubMed. [Online]. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21457902.
• Seeram, N.P.; Adams, L.S.: Henning, S.M.; Niu, Y.; Zhang, Y.; Nair, M.F. & Heber, D.(2005). In-vitro antiproliferative, apoptotic and antioxidant activities of punicalagin, ellagic acid and a total pomegranate tannin extract are enhanced in combination with other polyphenols as found in pomegranate juice.The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 16 (6): 360-367.