Pomegranate: 10 Properties And Benefits Of This Healthy Fruit
Five pieces of fruit a day This is the recommendation that a large number of experts make regarding the need to consume vegetables in our diet in order to make it balanced and healthy. And if this recommendation is made it is because this type of vegetables contains a large number of essential and valuable elements for optimal maintenance of our health.
In addition, we have a wide variety of this type of food, each of them having different compositions that can be more or less beneficial in different aspects.
One of them, which is generally not one of the first we imagine when thinking about fruits, is the pomegranate. And although it is not usually taken into account as much as oranges or apples, the truth is that this is a very beneficial fruit for health. That is why throughout this article we are going to emphasize the properties and benefits of pomegranate on our health
We call pomegranate an important and very healthy fruit. coming from the tree Punica granatum, popularly known as pomegranate. This fruit, which externally resembles a bulb with a yellowish to reddish color, is consumed today in most 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 the 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 located in an area that extends from ancient Persia and Babylon to India from where little by little it was introduced to the rest of Asia and over time to Europe (in Spain it was introduced by the Arabs during the Middle Ages) and to America.
Properties and benefits of pomegranate
The pomegranate is a very healthy and beneficial fruit for health, of which various 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 the 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. It Helps keep cellular damage caused by free radicals at bay as well as a lower level of cellular degeneration and a slowing of tissue aging.
2. It has an astringent effect
Thanks to its high polyphenol content, pomegranate has the property of helping to retain and absorb the liquid from digested food, making it difficult to expel soft and continuous stools. That 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
Various studies seem to show that pomegranate has the interesting property of reducing blood pressure and the risk of suffering from cardiovascular problems. In addition, it has been observed that it contributes to reducing atherosclerosis, reducing the risk of blood clots and promoting 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 estrogen in the case of women, something that could contribute not only sexually but also in aspects such as strengthening bones and muscles.
Likewise, and as we have mentioned previously, helping to prevent atherosclerosis means that the vascular system remains healthy and the passage of blood to erogenous zones is not so difficult for this 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 improve inflammation states of some body systems
6. Possible antitumor action
Pomegranate has also been found to be effective in preventing different types of cancer, such as colon cancer, in addition to interfering in some studies with the proliferation of certain tumors.
7. Helps memory function
The aforementioned antioxidant effects and the increase in testosterone in both sexes seem to be associated with better memory functioning, and may help prevent possible deterioration. derived from the effects of free radicals that damage neurons
8. Diuretic and slimming
With a high potassium content, it has been observed that pomegranate It is also a diuretic fruit, contributing and facilitating urination and the expulsion of harmful elements from the blood through urine. In addition to this, being rich seems to have a positive effect on the control of body fat, since in addition to being low in calories it helps reduce body fat and prevent obesity.
9. Promotes the immune system
The consumption of pomegranate can be an interesting option to strengthen the immune system, since it provides large amount of essential nutrients, minerals such as calcium, potassium and iron and important vitamins such as C or A
This makes it easier for us to combat different infections and problems, in addition to preventing and combating anemia. Likewise, it is 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 fight different bacteria, fungi and even intestinal parasites, something that makes pomegranate a useful fruit for preventing infections. This effect is not only achieved by consuming the arils, but is also observed when used as a mouthwash.
