12 Powerful and Proven health Benefits Of Pomegranate

 I clearly recall eating my first pomegranate.!

I remember growing up my mother loved fruits and vegetables; therefore I was exposed early to fruits, avocadoes, coconuts, and many other kinds of wonderful vegetables.

My children visited their grandmother during the holidays last year, and when they returned, my daughter brought home some things that looked like dark red gigantic oranges, so I asked her to slice one for me.

“Oh, these aren’t citrus,” she said. “They are pomegranates, and the insides resemble the rock structures found in volcanic eruptions. She then opened one to reveal the several faceted ruby arils inside. She then cut a piece off and gave it to me.

It was love at first taste! Somewhere between cranberry and cherry, the juice from the arils was so delicious, I didn't even think about the seeds as I munched, swallowed, and reached for more.

Pomegranates have now become a delight I look forward to every now and again. I always try to acquire some for home whenever I can.

Drinking pomegranate juice benefits our health and skin in a myriad of ways. It is one of the few fruits whose juice is as beneficial as the fruit itself. This is because the peel contains the maximum amount of antioxidants which are released in abundance when the fruit is squeezed while juicing. It is currently ranked alongside blueberries and green tea for its nutritional benefits. A single glass of pomegranate juice can provide you with 40% of the daily requirement of folic acid and vitamins A, C, and E.

Freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, being completely unprocessed, triumphs over packaged juice any day, as it retains the maximum number of vitamins. Make sure that the juice is unsweetened as sugar being inflammatory can counteract some of the health benefits of this fruit.

Here are some of the potential benefits.

1. Antioxidants
Pomegranate seeds get their vibrant red hue from polyphenols. These chemicals are powerful antioxidants. Pomegranate juice contains higher levels of antioxidants than most other fruit juices. It also has three times more antioxidants than red wine and green tea. The antioxidants in pomegranate juice can help remove free radicals, protect cells from damage, and reduce inflammation.

2. Vitamin C
The juice of a single pomegranate has more than 40 percent of your daily requirement of vitamin C. Vitamin C can be broken down when pasteurized, so opt for homemade or fresh pomegranate juice to get the most of the nutrient.

3.Sexual performance and fertility
Pomegranate juice’s concentration of antioxidants and ability to impact oxidative stress make it a potential fertility aid. Oxidative stress has been shown to cause sperm dysfunction and decrease fertility in women. The juice has also been shown to help reduce oxidative stress in the placenta. But researchers don’t yet know the exact benefits this may provide. Drinking pomegranate juice can also increase testosterone levels in men and women, one of the main hormones behind sex drive.

4. Alzheimer’s disease protection
The antioxidants in the juice and their high concentration are believed to stall the progress of Alzheimer disease and protect memory.

5. Anti-inflammatory
Pomegranate juice is a powerful anti-inflammatory because of its high concentration of antioxidants. It can help reduce inflammation throughout the body and prevent oxidative stress and damage.

6. Arthritis
Flavanols in pomegranate juice may help block the inflammation that contributes to osteoarthritis and cartilage damage. The juice is currently being studied for its potential effects on osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other types of arthritis and joint inflammation.

7. Heart disease
Pomegranate juice is in the running as the most heart-healthy juice. It appears to protect the heart and arteries. Small studies have shown that the juice improves blood flow and keeps the arteries from becoming stiff and thick. It may also slow the growth of plaque and buildup of cholesterol in the arteries. But pomegranate may react negatively with blood pressure and cholesterol medications like statins. Be sure to talk with your doctor before indulging in the juice or taking a pomegranate extract supplement.

8. Blood pressure
Drinking pomegranate juice daily may also help lower systolic blood pressure. But more studies need to be done to determine if pomegranate juice can decrease overall blood pressure in the long term.

9. Antiviral
Between the vitamin C and other immune-boosting nutrients like vitamin E, pomegranate juice can prevent illness and fight off infection. Pomegranates have also been shown to be antibacterial and antiviral in lab tests. They are being studied for their effects on common infections and viruses.

10. Memory
Drinking 8 ounces of pomegranate juice a daily may improve learning and memory, according to a recent study.
11.Diabetes
Pomegranate was traditionally used as a remedy for diabetes in the Middle East and India. While much is still unknown about the effects of pomegranate on diabetes, it may help decrease insulin resistance and lower blood sugar.

12.Endurance and sports performance
Move over, tart cherry and beet juice. Pomegranate juice may be the new sport performance enhancer. The juice may help reduce soreness and improve strength recovery. It also decreases oxidative damage caused by exercise.