The scientific name of pomegranate is Puni-cagranatum L.. The fruit is the size of a human fist, with thick skin and many seeds that are sweet and aromatic.
Studies demonstrate that pomegranate peel can kill dysentery bacillus. Pomegranate roots and bark peel also have the effect of paralyzing worms, which are then eliminated by the body.
In France people use the root and tree bark extracts for medicinal alkaloid deworming.
According to old Oriental medicine documents, this is the limit of the fruit’s capacity. However, recent studies show that pomegranates have many other good uses.
Heart support: pomegranate juice is rich in ellagic acid, tannins and anthocyanins, which are antioxidants that keep your body healthy and prevent cardiovascular diseases. Pomegranates contain polyphenols, which have the ability to thin artery walls, reducing the formation of plaque, and oxidizing bad cholesterol, a risk factor for heart disease. By drinking pomegranate juice regularly, Mediterranean people have the lowest rate of heart disease in the world.
Reduce atherosclerosis: Studies show that drinking two glasses of pomegranate juice daily for three consecutive months will reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis accounts for 80 per cent of mortality for patients with diabetes. Clinical studies show a healthy diet with daily pomegranate juice may help prevent heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
Reduce blood pressure: For people with high blood pressure, drinking 50ml of pomegranate juice daily for two consecutive weeks can lower blood pressure by 5 per cent. Studies of people with hypertension show that drinking more than 200gr of pomegranate juice daily for 14 days will result in reduction of average systolic blood pressure, leading to a reduction of stroke risk by 36 per cent.
Israeli scientists have found that men who drink 29g pomegranate juice will reduce the risk of high blood pressure by 21 per cent.
Lose weight: Pomegranate seeds can help eliminate fat which results in losing weight.
Fighting against bacteria and germs: Pomegranates contain abundant vitamin C, fiber and potassium, enhancing the ability to fight against cold and keep the digestive system healthy. Adding pomegranate juice and pomegranate seeds to your diet can help the body prevent some types of bacteria. Pomegranates are rich in calcium, vitamin A, vitamin E and folic acid, which are beneficial in strengthening the body’s immune system.
Prostate cancer: Some studies show that men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer who consume on average 220g of pomegranate juice daily for two years significantly reduced the rate of PSA (specific antigen prostate), a cause of prostate cancer development.
Erectile dysfunction: pomegranates are rich in polyphenols, which not only improve blood flow to the heart, but also to other parts of the body.A study on men with erectile dysfunction showed that those who drank pomegranate juice for four weeks improved twice as fast as those taking a placebo. Many studies suggest that pomegranate juice increases energy and stamina, improves blood flow to key areas of the body and increases libido.
Increase bone density: Pomegranate juice contains many ingredients such as sodium, vitamins B, B2, niacin, vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus, essential for bone maintenance.
For skin lesions: Pomegranate seed oil prevents the formation of skin cancer cells by helping skin lesions recover quickly. The antioxidants protect cells three to four times more powerfully than green tea or red wine. The skin irritation flavonoids keep skin from drying and have a balancing effect, enhancing cell optimal metabolism, refining pores and softening skin. For women, frequent pomegranate juice consumption can slow the aging progress, resulting in smooth, youthful skin.
Support for pregnant women: During childbirth, women’s bodies produce a hormone called oxytocin to enhance the strength and elasticity of the muscles in the genitals needed to push the child out of her body. But the hormone is not always sufficient, and doctors often recommend additional injections. Studies show that pomegranate juice contains substances which help women enhance the hormone. Pharmacologists have recently invented a medicine from pomegranates that helps ease birthing pains.
Reduce the risk of brain damage in newborns: The phenomenon of ischemic hypoxia caused by brain damage affects two in 1,000 infants. This happens in a high proportion of children born before 32 weeks of pregnancy. A study in the United States showed that newborn mice whose mothers drank pomegranate juice had a 60 per cent lower risk of brain damage than those whose mothers drank sugar water or other juices.
Protect joints: American scientists have discovered that extracts from pomegranates are capable of controlling the enzyme involved in the process that causes rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers said they will concentrate on studying the absorption rate of pomegranate extracts in the joints, the repairing capacity of cartilage damage and the potential for treating oncoming chronic arthritis.
Tips for drinking pomegranate juice:
- Drink the fresh fruit juice immediately after processing.
- Pressed by machine is the best.
- If pressed by hands, cloth should be used for filtering.
- Juice should be mixed with some water.
- Drink a small amount first, then increase gradually.
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