Five Important Health Benefits of Pomegranate

Pomegranate is one of the oldest fruits known to man. It is also believed to be among the top health foods as its antioxidant, vitamin and mineral content are almost second to none.

Prominently featured in Greek mythology and literature, as well as in the Bible, the pomegranate fruit has largely eluded popularity in the Americas, in the northern areas of Europe and much of Asia.

But that may be changing as people from all over the world revisit and rediscover natural ways of maintaining, improving and enhancing their health amidst the dizzying and increasingly toxic pace of modern living.

In recent years, it appears that drinks made from this fruit have caught the attention of a large portion of health-conscious individuals in many parts of the globe.

Possessing a pleasant flavor that is at once both sweet and tart, pomegranate is a health food that is rich in vitamins A, C, E, folic acid, pantothenic acid, potassium and antioxidants like flavonoids and tannins. These nutrients are believed to collectively act and help the human body in various ways.

Among the most important pomegranate health food benefits are the following:

(a.) Pomegranates may help strengthen the immune system and protect against cancer.

Antioxidants in the pomegranate fruit may help resist the free radicals that cause the immune system to malfunction and break down, leading to the advent of many ailments and diseases. These same free radicals may likewise inflict damage to the DNA and cells that give rise to aberrant accumulations or tumors that are the main causes of cancer.

(b.) Pomegranates may help fight degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's Disease

Pomegranate's antioxidant polyphenol content may also help protect against the buildup of beta-amyloid deposits in the body. These are protein substances associated with the oxidative processes that cause cell damage. These harmful substances are linked to the development of this neurologically degenerative disease.

(c.) Pomegranates may help shield against cardiovascular diseases.

The antioxidant content of the fruit has also been associated with clearing the arteries of plaque materials, thereby reducing the risk for heart diseases and stroke. Consuming pomegranates may likewise help contribute to lowering the blood pressure and decreasing the levels of LDL or 'bad cholesterol' in the body. It thus helps promote the normal flow of blood.

(d.) Pomegranates may help fight osteoarthritis.

The antioxidants have also been found to help block the development of the Interleukin-1b (IL-1b), an enzyme that promotes inflammation in the human cartilages and joints that lead to degradation and damage and ultimately, to osteoarthritis. The fruit antioxidants also seem to contain the damage even after the onset of the disease.

(e.) Pomegranates may help promote smooth and youthful skin.

Substances like punicic acid are found in the seeds of the pomegranate fruit. It's a form of omega-5 conjugated fatty acid that has shown to be quite effective in cell regeneration. The effect of this is a considerable delay in the process of aging.

It is vital to note that at this time, health authorities in countries like the U.S. have not validated any health claims made on the ability of the pomegranate fruit to cure diseases. However, the saying that "an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure" surely rings true when consuming this fruit.

The antioxidant substances and nutrients in the pomegranate fruit may be most beneficial as protective agents against some of the world's most serious and debilitating diseases.