Which is your favorite fruit? Or, is it nuts? If you are trying to find reasons to tuck into them more often, checking out their health benefits would be a good idea. Fruits are nature’s storehouse of many vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Some of these really go a long way in keeping us healthy and kicking. Fruits like blueberries, cranberries, oranges, bananas and pomegranate help keep many ailments at bay. Homemade pomegranate juice without any added sugar can offer you loads of health benefits just with a glass full taken every day.
It contains vitamins A, C and E along with powerful antioxidants and loads of important minerals. In fact, pomegranate contains much higher levels of antioxidants than even green tea and many other fruits including oranges. It’s mineral contents like iron, folic acid, potassium, calcium, folate, phosphorus and more help us stay healthy. Also, pomegranate’s anti-inflammatory properties come in real handy while dealing with inflammation of internal organs or blood vessels. It even contains punicic acid that helps boost skin regeneration.
So, you can see that not only does pomegranate have quite a few health benefits, it works on counteracting signs of ageing too. Sufficient intake can even help deter diseases like diabetes, osteoarthritis, heart diseases and some types of cancer. Here are a few health benefits of pomegranate and how it’s magic works. So, let’s get exploring!
5 Ways Pomegranate Can Benefit Us
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Heart and blood health:
Pomegranate decreases the level of bad cholesterol retention in our body. This helps minimize the chances of blood flow blockages to the important organs. This in turn reduces the chances of a stroke. It has punicic acid that helps reduce blood pressure. Anti-inflammatory properties help decrease the inflammation of blood vessels and pomegranate also maintains their flexibility. This wonder fruit acts as a natural blood thinner reducing the chances of blood clots. All this translates to reduced heart issues. As a result of enhanced blood flow, we are also better able to exercise and be comparatively less fatigued. Iron and folic acid present in pomegranate work on maintaining a healthy red blood cell count.
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Immunity improvement and cancer risk reduction:
Antioxidants help flush out unwanted toxins from our body. The antioxidants of pomegranate stimulate white blood cells improving our body’s immunity to diseases. It’s antibacterial and anti-microbial properties strengthen our immune system. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of pomegranate come in handy for urinary tract infection symptom relief.
Pomegranate reduces free radicals, which are responsible for many unwanted changes in human body. The natural aromatase inhibitors of this fruit minimize production of the hormone that plays a crucial role in breast cancer development. The anti-carcinogenic effects do not extend to treating but do reduce the risk of cancer development. It presumably even slows down progress of some types of cancer.
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Digestive health:
Pomegranate is very good for digestion. A pinch of dried pomegranate seed powder after a heavy lunch can help our body get the better of it quickly. It’s high fiber content helps regulate bowel movement and are helpful in tackling diarrhea. However, people with chronic constipation issues should consult their physician before starting to take pomegranate juice regularly. This fruit is also good for oral health as it reduces the microbes responsible for dental cavities. It helps with conditions like gingivitis, periodontitis and helps prevent plaque formation.
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Bone health:
The calcium content of this wonder fruit encourages bone health when taken regularly. It helps maintain healthy bone density and minimizes bone damage in osteoarthritis. Pomegranate has anti-inflammatory properties (flavonols) that can reduce bone inflammation and arthritic pain. It inhibits the production of enzymes which damage cartilages leading to osteoarthritis. In short, pomegranate comes in handy from maintaining bone strength to keeping osteoarthritis at bay.
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Beauty benefits:
Reduction of free radicals and harmful toxins in our body can not only ensure better health, but also cosmetic benefits for us. It is the secret to younger-looking healthy skin free from blemishes and premature wrinkles. Pomegranate’s polyphenolic compounds help delay our skin’s ageing process. It helps reduce pigmentation and age spots along with keeping the skin hydrated and moisturized. It’s cell regenerating properties act as the cherry on top.
Using a pomegranate juice face pack helps deal with oily skin issues and sun damage. Just apply directly and leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes before washing off with cold water. You can also make a daily detox drink with a bottle of water, handful of pomegranate seeds, 1 teaspoon honey and a few sprigs of mint (optional). Leave the ingredients in the bottle of water overnight and sip it through the next day. Hair too benefits with regular intake of this juice because it strengthens hair follicles. You can use pomegranate oil as hot oil treatment for your hair before shampooing.
Pomegranate is a good addition to diet while recuperating after a long illness to regain strength. It also presumably has other benefits like cognitive or memory retention and aphrodisiac. This fruit has been used since Egyptian times as a kitchen medicine to treat many ailments. However, it is never recommended to go off your regular medication just because you are trying natural remedies. It would be a better idea to monitor the progress while on natural treatment and get medications adjusted accordingly.
Pomegranate helps us de-stress tackling the unwanted toxic content of our body. Including this fruit in our diet even for it’s antioxidant value can help us in more ways than one. Going back to our roots and trying out nature’s remedies is never a bad idea. Exploring nature’s gifts to us can be healthy and delicious too!
Do you like to explore your kitchen pharmacy or is it straight to the chemists?
Warning: People with blood pressure and allergy issues or on chronic medication should consult their physician before starting regular pomegranate consumption.
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