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Pomegranates, a member of the berry family, are among the healthiest fruits on Earth.
They contain a range of beneficial plant compounds, unrivalled by other foods.
The skin of the pomegranate is thick and inedible, but there are hundreds of edible seeds inside called arils.
Studies have shown that pomegranates have several benefits for your body, possibly lowering your risk of various diseases
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4007340/
Pomegranates contain two unique substances that are responsible for most of their health benefits.
Punicalagins:
Punicalagins are extremely potent antioxidants found in pomegranate juice and peel.
They’re so powerful that pomegranate juice has been found to have three times the antioxidant activity of red wine, and green tea.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11052704
Pomegranate extract and powder is typically made from the peel, due to its high antioxidant and punicalagin content.
Punicic Acid
Punicic acid, found in pomegranate seed oil, is the main fatty acid in the arils.
It’s a type of conjugated linoleic acid, with potent biological effects.
Pomegranates can help our body in many ways from easing stomach problems to improving erectile dysfunctions, help prevent cancer and they can play a significant role in the slowing down of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Pomegranate peel, bark, and leaves are used to calm stomach disorders or diarrhea caused by any kind of digestive problems.
Drinking tea made from the leaves of these fruits also helps settle digestive problems.
Pomegranates contain high levels of antioxidants called flavonoids. These flavonoids are known to be effective in counteracting various cancer-causing free radicals.
Laboratory studies suggest that pomegranate extract may slow cancer cell reproduction and even induce apoptosis, or cell death, in cancer cells
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23320197
The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a blood marker for prostate cancer.
Men whose PSA levels double in a short period of time are at an increased risk of death from prostate cancer.
Interestingly, a human study found that drinking 250 ml of pomegranate juice per day increased the PSA doubling time from 15 months to 54 months — a monumental increase
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16818701
Pomegranate’s can offer a range of health benefits, however there may be some contraindications with certain prescribed medications, (eg warfarin) so if you are taking prescription medication check with your health professional before you start including it your regular eating plan!
