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If you’re getting tired of the usual fruits you eat as snacks or as alternative to high-calorie meals, this might be the time to get up close and personal with a legendary fruit that is native in Persia.
Pomegrenate (Punica granatum) is originally cultivated in the Middle East though it is now widely grown in different parts of the world. It has a sweet and juicy pulp which contains lots of seeds, but has a tough skin. The aril or seed casing is the one that is usually eaten, either raw or dried. It is even believed that ancient Babylonians chew pomegranate seeds before going to battle, thinking they would render them invincible from the enemies’ weapons.
This sweet fruit has been used as traditional medicine for many years. Its rind and the tree’s bark is considered a remedy for dysentery, diarrhea and even intestinal worms. Pomegranate juice is even found to help in reducing stomach fat.
The following are some of the health benefits that you can get from pomegranate fruit and its juice:
 Cures colds. A serving of pomegranate juice can make for 16% of an adult’s daily requirement for Vitamin C. This abundant vitamin content of pomegranate juice can in turn prevent colds or flu from developing. Aside from its ascorbic acid content, it is also rich in other minerals and vitamins like calcium, potassium, iron, folic acid, tocopherol and vitamin A.
 Prevents Alzheimer’s. A recent study shows that a possible cause of Alzheimer’s disease is the deposit of beta-amyloid in the brain. And because pomegranate is rich in polyphenols, it may prevent the occurrence of Alzheimer’s.
 Promotes healthy heart. The antioxidant in pomegranate juice also helps in preventing and reversing atherosclerosis which is characterized by plaque buildup in the artery wall. This hardened arteries that lead to reduced blood flow which results to heart attacks. It promotes blood circulation and lowers cholesterol levels while keeping the arteries clean which decrease chances of a stroke.
 Anti-cancer. Pomegranate juice contains a level of antioxidant that is three times greater than green tea and red wine. Because of this, it can potentially counter the chances of having skin or breast cancer. Pomegranate is rich in the phytochemical ellagitannins which inhibits aromatase, an enzyme that is needed to produce estrogen (associated with breast cancer). Likewise, it has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that prevent the development of skin cancer.
 Keeps the cartilage safe. Extracts of pomegranate also inhibit the production of enzymes that are associated with cartilage damage. (Cartilage is the flexible yet tough tissue in our body that can be found in the joints.) Pomegranate fruit contains anti-inflammatory properties as well that helps in the cure of osteoarthritis.
 Contributes normal blood pressure. Another benefit of pomegranate juice is its ability to boost blood flow in the heart. It also works as a blood thinner and lowers systolic blood pressure by five percent.
 Promotes oral health. Drinking pomegranate juice can help in fighting gum diseases or bad breath because of its natural antibacterial content that prevents plaque.
You will never run out of serving ideas for this delicious fruit. Whether you use the seeds to garnish salads, blend the pulp into smoothies or eat the fruit as is, you’re sure to get a health benefit from it.