Conditions For the Pomegranate Plant to Grow
The pomegranate is a nice looking, small tree or rounded shrub that can grow to the height of 20 – 30 feet. The botanical name of pomegranate is Punica Granatum. This botanical name means “seeded apple”. Pomegranates typically live longer. The age of some specimens are more than 200 years. The fruit of pomegranate is fairly large and round. This fruit is 2.5 to 5 inches wide and the diameter is about 90 mm. A good fruit of pomegranate will possess a greater proportion of fleshy seeds. The plant of pomegranate is well adaptable to environmental conditions and can grow in any region that ranges from tropical to temperate.
The pomegranate plant may be semi – deciduous or deciduous. The deciduous nature of the plant depends on the temperature of the location where it grows. The best conditions for the production of this fruit exist in the states where rainfall has been minimum and late during summer season and summer is warm. Water should be present for irrigation purpose. If water is filled up to the pomegranate plant then chances for the rainfall to split the fruit gets minimized. Rainfall can also cause soft fruit that will result in undesirable diseases.
Well drained, deep and loamy type of soils are preferred for the pomegranate to grow but the pomegranate can also tolerate the soil that is less than the desired drainage. Pomegranate can also grow in mild alkaline conditions. Extremely hot temperature can also result in the sunburn injury on the pomegranate fruit. The interior of this fruit is separated by the spongy white tissue and the membranous walls into compartments that are packed with sacs and filled with sweetly whitish, juicy or the red pulp.
Plantings on a commercial basis should not be done from seeds because that may lead to too much variability in the fruit character. It is advisable to obtain the plants for planting only from any commercial nursery. The pomegranate is known for the health benefits it provides. The fruit of pomegranate contains many known compounds and some are potent antioxidant phenols.
Find out how pomegranate extract can help you lose weight and feel wonderful on Pomegranate Supplements.
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Health Benefits of Pure Pomegranate Concentrate
The pomegranate is one of the fruits that has recently been inducted as a super fruit. Raw pomegranate juice, concentrates or supplements all contain extremely potent and above average levels of vitamins, minerals with strong antioxidant properties. Pomegranate concentrates as the name suggests has far more concentrated nutrients such as vitamin C, folic acid, niacin and, vitamin B3, B6 , B12 vitamin C and E., polyphenols antioxidants which gives you more benefit compared to ordinary vegetables and regular fruits.
As you can see from the pomegranate nutritional content, all the underlying health benefits of drinking pure pomegranate juice is that it can drastically improve health , fight off diseases and general improvement in well being and increased energy. For example whether you prefer raw pomegranate juice, processed pomegranate concentrate, extract, pill or whatever your poison is so to speak, the health benefits are vast! For one thing it helps clear out the plaque that clogs your arteries, therefore reducing chances of heart diseases, heart attacks, stroke etc. Pomegranate juice is a great supplement to improve cardiovascular health among other things.
Another side benefit to consuming pure pomegranate concentrates and other forms of juice extracts, is its ability to help heal erectile dysfunctions. That is possible because it helps improve oxygen flow to the vital organs , the heart and the brain not to mention the penis. It’s certainly a healthier and cheaper alternative to Viagra and Cialis.
There are other health related benefits to this, whether it be consuming pomegranate concentrates, extracts, pomegranate capsules,pills ,pomegranate powders and other derivatives..
The point is unless in extreme and rare cases, getting pomegranate side effects is unlikely and virtually unheard of. Anyone can take this wonderful fruit to improve his metabolism and become healthier and more energetic. I personally feel everyone from 8 to 80 can benefit from making this fruit’s and other pomegranate derivatives a part of their regular diet.
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High Cholesterol – Health Benefits of Pomegranate
Lowering high cholesterol is not an easy affair, given the drastic changes one has to make in his or her diet and lifestyle. Medicines can help, but they are often accompanied by side effects and dependency symptoms. So, they are to be used only in absolutely unavoidable situations. Almost 50% of the adult Americans reportedly have higher than normal level of cholesterol and are at a great risk of heart attacks and strokes. Already, heart attack is the number one killer in America. People are, therefore, immensely curious to know the ways and means of tackling high cholesterol naturally. And pomegranate holds a lot of hopes for them…
Pomegranate is a delicious fruit with many health benefits. It has antioxidant, antiviral and antitumor properties. It is helpful in maintaining normal cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Some recent studies indicate that pomegranate can also be helpful in treating osteoarthritis and prostate cancer. The fruit can be eaten raw or can be made into pomegranate juice, pomegranate concentrate or pomegranate extract and taken to derive the excellent health benefits.
Cholesterol by itself is not harmful to the body. In fact, almost 85% of the cholesterol is made inside the body. The rest 15% comes from the foods that we eat. Cholesterol helps the body for development and repair of cell membranes, creation of sex and pleasure hormones such as progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, estradiol, formation of Vitamin D from sunlight and production of bile salts to eliminate toxins from the body. Cholesterol begins to harm the body only when it increases beyond normal level. Improper diets, consumption of too much of fat, weight gain, and lack of exercise are mainly responsible for high cholesterol.
Cholesterol by physical appearance is a fat like substance that keeps moving inside the body through the blood vessels. However, it cannot move on its own and has to depend on two ‘carrier’ proteins – the HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and the LDL (low-density lipoprotein) to do the taxiing. HDL is a good taxi, but LDL is not. So, if HDL is high, there’s no problem – the cholesterol can fairly circulate inside the body. But, if LDL is high, cholesterol finds it difficult to move around inside the body. It then begins to form tiny deposits inside the blood vessels. These cholesterol deposits along with other substances such as fibrous tissues, calcium and other fatty materials form plaques on the arterial walls, which narrow the passage for smooth flow of blood. This puts more and more pressure on the heart to keep the blood in circulation, thus making the heart weak over time and develop problems. Apart from such heart problems, plaques can burst inside the arteries to suddenly block the blood flow. This condition is called stroke and such situations can turn fatal.
So, high cholesterol is bad and has to be lowered at any cost.
Pomegranate has polyphenols that act as powerful flavonoid antioxidants and protect nitric oxide against oxidative destruction. This enables the body to optimally use the biological benefits of nitric oxide. Pomegranate is also helpful in improving lipid profiles. In one study involving 14 men and 8 women who were diabetic and had high lipid profiles, consumption of 40gm/day of concentrated pomegranate juice for 8 weeks showed remarkable reduction in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. However, no significant changes were seen in triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol levels. Polyphenols that are abundant in pomegranate are particularly known to inhibit LDL-cholesterol oxidation, macrophage foam cell formation and creation of plaques within the arteries. That is why pomegranate holds so much of promise in reducing high cholesterol naturally and minimizing the health risks associated with high cholesterol.
One pomegranate or two medium servings of pomegranate juice a day can be a good way to beat high cholesterol and keep off viral infections and tumors as added advantage.
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Pomegranate Health Benefits
When we lived in Malta, we ate a lot of pomegranate. We even had a tree in the garden and indeed are house was named after the pomegranate, Ta’ Rumina (in Maltese).
The pomegranate is an ancient fruit enveloped in much history and myth, especially in the Middle East. Pomegranate is significant in Jewish custom, as it is said to hold 613 seeds to symbolize the 613 commandments in the Torah. Romans imported their pomegranates from Libya and the Chinese mention pomegranate as back as the Han and Sung dynasties. The Spanish conquistadors bought the pomegranate to South America, and missionaries took it to California.
While I was living in England we would see them in the markets, the season was short lived, but they really didn’t cause much of a stir, then. More recently all that has changed in the West, these days it has become a winner, rising to the status of a ’super food’, something they have always known in the East. It is thought the pomegranate originated in Iran and India.
The pomegranate has a leathery type skin, roughly the size of a large apple, its juice is sweet and tart, is totally packed with seeds, each one is surrounded by a translucent dark pink juice sac. It has been reported it’s nutrients helps to protect against heart disease, cancer and all sorts of problems associated with aging. Full of Eastern promise, it is loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C, niacin (B3), potassium, folic acid, iron, fiber, and more. Even green tea and red wine, have fewer merits, as pomegranate has three times the antioxidants.
It is thought that maybe one of the reasons this fruit didn’t take off sooner in the West, was the fact it is a time consuming fruit to prepare. You need a little patience, but it is fun, and well worth the effort. It’s not like grabbing an apple that you can eat while you are on the run. We would have a great time in Malta eating them straight off the tree. You need to cut off the top and the bottom and score down the tough but thin skin with a knife, underneath is a bitter membrane (you don’t eat) housing hundreds of small seeds encased in translucent ruby sacs of juice. This bitter, inedible membrane holds the seeds, open up the fruit it will be in sections, invert the sections.
Since the pomegranate’s rating has soared in the charts, more people are willing to prepare it. Pomegranate is a versatile fruit, excellent in all sorts of salads, on your breakfast etc. The fruit is red, but it can also be found with mainly a yellow skin that has a patch or two of pink. Pomegranates can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two months, or in a cool, dark place for up to a month. These days California grows pomegranate commercially.
Grenadine, the light syrup that has been added to alcoholic drinks for decades, was made from pomegranates, unfortunately these it is not made from the fruit.
Pure pomegranate oil is amazing, a light easily absorbed oil. It has been shown to help slow down the signs of aging by maintaining the thickness of the epidermal, and by encouraging the life of dermal fibroblast cells. It is these busy cells that produce the skin’s supporting structural fibers like collagen and elastin. As already mentioned pomegranate seems to have some very potent antioxidants, some research says more than most plants.
Sonia Jones ND: Naturopath, nutritional therapist and author of three published books.
http://www.nutritionwithsonia.com
http://www.arthritisalternativetreatment.com
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Pomegranate Oil and Its Cosmetic Applications
Pomegranate seed oil possesses powerful antioxidant properties and can help prevent and treat a variety of cancers including breast cancer and skin cancer. Studies have shown that pomegranate oil is effective at killing and preventing the formation of both estrogen dependent and non-estrogen dependent cancer cells. Pomegranate oil possesses cosmetic properties. It is a good choice for use in applications intended for dry or irritated skin or aging skin.
Pomegranate seed oil is gaining increased attention by cosmeceutical manufacturers and aromatherapy industries due to its remarkable ability to nourish moisturize and repair the epidermis and improve skin elasticity. Without moisture, wrinkles become more abundant and pronounced, the skin looks tight and lacks luster. Pomegranate seed oil adds moisture, has natural estrogenic properties, anti-oxidants, is anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, improves skin elasticity, and protects the skin. Pomegranate seed oil is commonly used in cosmetic products to revitalize dull or mature skin, assist with wrinkles, and to soothe minor skin irritations. The unique healing properties of Pomegranate seed oil are due to its unique composition of fatty acids, mainly punicic acid (CLA).
The high content of conjugated fatty acids in pomegranate oil gives it strong anti-inflammatory properties and makes it a highly beneficial ingredient in formulations intended to reduce swelling and ease muscular aches and pains. Pomegranate oil can promote procollagen synthesis and strengthen the epidermis. It provides relief from minor skin irritations and inflammation, including dry skin, eczema, psoriasis and sunburned skin.
Pomegranate oil is said to help with collagen production, acts as a free radical scavenger and boost restoration and repair of the skin. Use it in lip balms, cream, lotions and facial serums. High in anti-oxidants, it is extremely moisturizing, nourishes the skin and balances the pH effect while protecting the skin from free radicals; provide quick relief from irritated, dry or cracked skin. It is wonderful oil for mature and aging skin, and is soothing to dry, irritated or sunburned skin. It contains a high amount of conjugated fatty acids which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Pomegranate seed oil may be used within most skin care formulas, including soap making, massage oils, facial care products, and other body care and cosmetic products. Several recent studies have shown that pomegranate seed oil stimulates keratinocyte proliferation, promoting regeneration and strengthening of the epidermis. This study compliments other recent studies, which have also shown the beneficial results of using pomegranate seed oil. Only a small amount is needed within formulas to achieve beneficial results. Pomegranate oil is wonderful oil for hair because it revitalizes dull and dry hair and protects it from environmental pollution and chemicals. Apart from the cosmetic uses pomegranate oil possesses some of the medicinal uses which make pomegranate oil unique Oil. It has also been shown to help sunburned and ultraviolet damaged skin.
Grenera Nutrients is an integrated company that deals with processing of many herbal plants which would be useful for the mankind. All the products manufactured by Grenera Nutrients are 100 % natural. The Pomegranate oil is mostly used in cosmetic preparation.
For further details and for the purchase of watermelon oil please visit http://www.pomegranateoil.net
Avon Howard Jr. is a nutrition consultant and has been involved with the health food industry for more than 2 decades. He is a part of many research teams that has worked on the impact of various herbal extracts on the human body. His deep knowledge and vast experience of the health food supplements makes him the sought after consultant for many health food companies
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12 Pomegranate Health Benefits
Countless studies have shown the seemingly countless benefits of fruits for a person’s health. The U.S. Government recommends that people get several servings of fruits every day. Of all the fruits available in the market today, one fruit is at its height of popularity because of its legendary Greek mythology association and its exoticism-the pomegranate fruit.
Considered as one of the earliest fruits that have been cultivated along with grapes, figs, olives, and dates somewhere between 4000 B. C. E and 3000 B. C. E., pomegranate continued to be an emblem of fertility, rebirth, and health.
Dubbed as a “miracle fruit” by some fans, pomegranate has earned its popularity because it is thought to possibly help support the body’s natural defenses against Alzheimer’s disease, various cancers, coronary and heart diseases, arthritis and many ailments an aging person experiences. Because of its so -called anti-aging possibilities, pomegranate has had several food and beverage variations from juices, ice creams, dishes, and even in water that come in bottles.
Why is pomegranate good for you?
This handsome fruit is quite popular for its deep and purple-colored juice that is packed with lots of antioxidants that may help in maintaining a smooth and wrinkle free skin. But, aside from the possibility of helping people to maintain youthful and glowing skin by keeping the blood platelets together, there are so many health benefits of pomegranate to people of all ages. While no health claims are made regarding pomegranate whatsoever, here are some of the remedies and uses that some people hope pomegranate can help with.
1. It may help reduce the risk of having a heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Studies show that pomegranate juice daily may help support the normal blood flow to the heart. Because of its antioxidant properties, pomegranate keeps bad cholesterol from forming, and thus, may help keep the arteries clear of clots.
2. It may help support the body’s normal defense in the prevention of certain cancers. Since pomegranates has very high levels of antioxidant called “flavenoids” that is thought to be effective in counteracting various cancer-causing radicals, more and more experts recommend this fruit as a possible part of a healthy diet. Because of flavenoids, many people are consuming pomegranate because it is believed to help support their good health.
3. It may help reduce the risks for illnesses such as atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis, and diabetes. Because of the properties of pomegranate, conditions that are known to cause the thickening and hardening of arterial walls and damage in cartilage and joints are hoped to be helped by this fruit. Studies are needed of course to get test results. No claims are made as to what the pomegranate may or may not help.
4. It is a rich source of various vitamins. Pomegranate is a good, natural source of vitamins A, C and E as well as folic acid.
5. It is rumored to help reduce the possibility of having premature babies. Pomegranate juice and extract is thought by some people to help expectant mothers avoid having low birth weight babies.
6. Some users claim it is beneficial for relieving minor illnesses such as core throat.
7. Other users believe it might reduce the possibility of developing Alzheimer’s disease among older people.
8. It is prized in some countries for the belief that it might help in achieving and maintaining a clear skin with youthful glow, and it is believed to help soothe skin inflammation.
9. The antioxidants are thought to help support the immune system.
10. It may help support healthy blood flow because of its iron properties. Pomegranate supports the blood by supplying it with iron, thus may help prevent anemia symptoms that include exhaustion, dizziness, weakness, and hear loss.
11. Aside from having lots of anti-oxidants, pomegranate also might have some anti-viral properties.
12. Pomegranate juice and extract is thought by some women to help in overcoming the feeling of general malaise during menopause.
While no medical claims can be made for pomegranate, the juice is growing in popularity every day as more and more people try it and benefit from it.
Monica Nelson writes about health topics, about women’s health issues, and about specific topics such as health benefits of pomegranate juice and how to save money on vitamins with swansons vitamins coupons. These health articles are provided as a helpful news service and are not to be considered medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about health issues such as pregnancy.
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Pomegranate and Weight Loss – Superfruit Revealed!
Pomegranate has been found to be a super fruit bearing shrub or a small tree that grows anywhere between five and eight meters tall. Pomegranate is considered to be one of the healthiest fruits in the world, with it’s vast array of vitamins. Pomegranate not only has many health benefits but it can also be useful in helping people with weight loss, because it is natural and it cleanses and provides energy to the body.
Pomegranate has certainly been popular with health food junkies over the years as not only has it aided weight loss, but it can potentially help to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, reduce dental plaque, and help to prevent cancer. Of course these are just some of the benefits however probably the more well known of benefits is it’s effect of cholesterol levels to help you lose weight.
When you eat pomegranate it can help your weight loss efforts by helping to prevent hardening arteries, which are caused by a build up of plaque in the walls of blood vessels, causing high cholesterol. This can lead blood vessels damage and decreased blood flow, which in turn can lead to heart attacks and strokes, which are classic symptoms of being overweight. It can also help lower LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) and actually raises HDL cholesterol (the good kind).
Other Benefits of Pomegranate are:
- Helps eliminate unwanted weight
- Breaks up and removes harmful waste and toxins
- Fights and fatigue and increase energy levels
- Promotes healthier and younger looking skin
- Highest concentration of antioxidants in pomegranate which help reversal of artery hardening.
Overall, pomegranate juice has more antioxidants than blueberry and cranberry juices, green tea, red wine, and grape juice, all of which jammed with these disease-fighting weight loss properties
Pomegranate is obviously available in fruit and juice form. However pomegranate supplements have also been released to assist with weight loss and clean your body. These tablet forms contain all the benefits mentioned above, but they’re also convenient if your busy and can be used as insurance if you know you’re not getting you recommended daily intake or vitamins and antioxidants. This is isn’t a magic pill, just a natural scenically proven product that helps people in lowering their weight and providing the antioxidants the body needs in order to prevent illness.
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Roger Ruzzier is a Certified Personal Trainer and Life Coach with expertise in Weight Loss. For more weight loss tips and advice visit http://www.FatBodySlim.com – Eat More, Burn More Fat… Quicker and Easier!
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Uses of Pomegranate Forms
Pomegranate has the good combination of nutrients such as folic acid, niacin, polyphenols antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin B3, B6 and B12. Because of so many nutrients present in pomegranate, it is more beneficial as compared to other regular fruits and ordinary vegetables. Pure pomegranate juice can fight off diseases, increase energy and have drastic improvements on your health. Pomegranate is an excellent heart tonic because it is one of the great supplement among others that helps to improve cardiovascular health. With so many benefits, it has became the super food.
Pomegranate can be taken in many forms like raw pomegranate juice, extract, pill, processed pomegranate concentrate or pomegranate fruit. All forms of pomegranate have many benefits. The benefits of pomegranate juice include treatment of heart diseases, arthritis, diarrhea, digestive problems, etc. Pomegranate also helps to heal erectile dysfunctions. This is possible because the pomegranate helps to improve the flow of oxygen to the other vital organs of the body like brain and heart. It is also a cheaper and healthier alternative to Cialis and Viagra.
Pomegranate also has anti – parasite properties so the root bark of it is used for the treatment of intestinal parasites. Pomegranate treat intestinal parasites because the bark of it contains alkaloids that make the intestinal parasite loose their hold from the intestinal walls of body and easily sedate the parasites. The pomegranate is also useful in problems associated with ageing because it is filled with iron, folic acid, potassium, vitamins and antioxidants. The extracts of pomegranate fruit can also block the way of those enzymes that could be the cause of osteo arthritis.
In different diseases, different parts of pomegranate plant can be used, for example, gastroenterological ailments like stomach ulcers, dysentry and diarrhea can be treated with the bark, juice, fruit and flower of pomegranate. Pomegranate syrup is used in Persian and Middle Eastern dishes. The juice of pomegranate is very expensive but if you live in a place where it is easily available then you then you can prepare its juice yourself. You can use the delicious seeds of the pomegranate to make your salad tasty.
Find out how pomegranate extract can help you lose weight and feel wonderful on Pomegranate Supplements.
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The Power of the Pomegranate
The juice from a pomegranate offers some of the worlds most powerful antioxidants. In fact, studies show that pomegranate juice has more antioxidants than other known antioxidant drinks such as red wine, green tea, blueberry juice, cranberry juice and orange juice. In addition, there are some studies that suggest pomegranate juice my help in the treatment of prostate cancer and may prevent some brain injuries in babies. Not bad for a fruit that many people are not that familiar with.
The Cancer Research
After skin cancer, prostate cancer is next as the cause of cancer death among men in the United States. A recent study at UC Los Angeles found that drinking pomegranate juice helped fight prostate cancer. The study was performed on 48 men with recurrent prostate cancer. Half of the men drank 8 ounces of pomegranate juice a day and the other half did not drink any pomegranate juice. The men that drank the juice were able to go 37 months before symptoms reappeared, the non-juice drinkers only went 15 months without symptoms. This study was small and is certainly not the final word on the subject. However, the research is promising and certainly warrants giving some consideration to adding pomegranate juice to your diet.
Brain Injury Research
A new study on mice conducted by the University of Washington School of medicine in St. Louis could hold promise for expectant mothers at risk of premature birth. Pomegranate juice may help their babies resist brain injuries from low oxygen and reduced blood flow associated with premature birth. The phenomenon, which is called hypoxia ischemia, causes brain injury in approximately 2 of every 1,000 full-term human births.
In this latest study, researchers temporarily lowered brain oxygen levels and brain blood flow in baby mice whose mothers drank water mixed with concentrated pomegranate juice, their brain tissue loss was reduced by 60 percent in comparison to mice whose mothers ingested other liquids.
What is a Pomegranate?
The pomegranate is a native fruit of the Mediterranean regions and has been grown there for thousands of years. The tree was brought into California by Spanish settlers in the late 1700s. Its primarily grown for fruit production in the drier parts of California and Arizona. The actual fruit is pink to bright red in color and is the approximate size of a softball. For those of you on a diet, one pomegranate is approximately 100 calories. When you open up a pomegranate there are little fruit sacs inside that look a little like vitamin E capsules (except they are red). The fruit is held together by a white, spongy, bitter tissue. Try not to eat the tissue as it does not taste very good. You can get the actual fruit in supermarkets from about October thru January, for the remainder of the year you will need to buy the juice.
How to Eat a Pomegranate
Pomegranates can get really messy when you open them up. Be careful as they stain.
1. Cut off the ends
2. Slice into sections like you would an apple
3. Place sections in a bowl of water and let soak for about 10 minutes
4. Separate the fruit sacs from the white spongy tissue
5. Throw away the white tissue and drain the fruit.
6. Eat and Enjoy
If this is your first time eating a pomegranate you may find the fruit a little bitter and tart. It reminds me a little of cranberry. Give this fruit a chance as you will learn to love it.
Below are two recipes you may want to try:
POM POM Dressing
3/4 cup pomegranate juice
1/4 cup light olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
Place all ingredients into a sealed container and shake until mixed. Serve over salad of your choice.
Non-Alcoholic POM-A-Tini
3 cups pomegranate juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 tsp of salt
1/2 cup of sparkling water
Mix ingredients together and pour over ice. Add 1 or 2 slices of fresh orange.
Makes about 3 to 4 Servings
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Pomegranate – Delicious Health Benefits
The pomegranate is an ancient fruit native of Persia, Pakistan and Afghanistan that was cultivated and naturalized in Georgia, Armenia and over the whole Mediterranean region and northern India since ancient times.
It is mentioned several times in the Old Testament, and the ancient city of Granada in Spain was renamed after the fruit during the Moorish period. The pomegranate shrub was introduced to California by Spanish settlers in the early 18th Century, and is now widely cultivated in that state as well as in Arizona.
With a rich history in myth, symbolism and art, the pomegranate was even thought by some scholars to be the forbidden fruit, which tempted Eve, and not the apple. Because of the intense ruby color of its edible seeds, the pomegranate was an inspiration to many artists of the region, including the Georgian filmmaker Paradjanov, whose masterpiece film was titled ‘The Colour of Pomegranates’.
The pomegranate is used for medicinal purposes in Persia, Georgia and India, and has always been an important part of the Middle Eastern diet. In its long history, the pomegranate has been linked to health, fertility and rebirth.
Because of its astringent, anti-parasites properties, the pomegranates’ root bark is used to treat intestinal parasites. The bark contains alkaloids that sedate intestinal parasites making them lose their grip on the intestinal walls, and therefore easier to expel.
In our times of nutritional enlightenment pomegranate has become the super- food “par excellence”, mainly because of its antioxidant properties. Research has shown that the pomegranate fruit and its juice may help with heart disease, as it reduces blood clots and contains the damage done to the arteries by cholesterol.
Other than being an excellent heart tonic, the pomegranate also helps with other problems associated with ageing due to the fact that it is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, potassium, folic acid and iron.
Pomegranate fruit extracts can block enzymes that contribute to osteoarthritis, according to a Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine’ study, published in the September 2005 issue of the Journal of Nutrition.
“Pomegranate -in particular- has been found to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that have potential therapeutic benefits in a variety of diseases. The Case University study demonstrated for the first time the ability of pomegranate fruit extracts to slow the deterioration of human cartilage.”
Preparations of different parts of the plant flower, fruit, juice and bark have been used for an array of conditions including gastroenterological ailments like diarrhea, dysentery and stomach ulcers.
Dioscorides an Greek physician and pharmacologist in antiquity has recorded the following:
“The juice of the kernells prest out, being sod and mixed with Hony, are good for the ulcers that are in ye mouth and in ye Genitals and in the seate, as also for the Pterygia in digitis and for the Nomae and ye excrescencies in ulcers, and for ye paines of ye eares, and for the griefs in ye nosthrills”
It’s truly amazing how this recipe resisted the passage of time. My own Turkish grandmother used to spread pomegranate syrup (available in good natural health stores) on my cold sores when I was a kid. Not only did it do the trick, but also I loved the taste!
Nowadays, pomegranate juice is available on most supermarkets shelves. Pomegranate syrup or molasses (sour variety) is often used in Middle Eastern and Persian dishes. The sweet variety is used in desserts or in cocktails as Grenadine. Pomegranate Juice tends to be quite expensive. However, if you live in places where it’s widely available, you can make the juice yourself. Pomegranate seeds are delicious sprinkled on your salad, or just eat a bowl of seeds lightly sprinkled with sugar and orange blossom essence, yummy!
Tip to extract pomegranate seeds
Slice the crown end off and gently cut the rind vertically from top to bottom in quarters. Place the pomegranate in a bowl of water. Carefully break the sections apart, (pomegranate juice stains!) prying the seeds from the membrane with your fingers. Remove the thin membranes that separate the clusters of seeds. The seeds will sink and the rind and membranes will float. Gather up the seeds in a colander.
Pomegranate Guacamole Recipe:
2 large ripe avocados
1/2 large onion, grated
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 fresh chiles, serranos, seeded
2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves
1 freshly squeezed lime
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon pomegranate juice
3 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
Finely chop the onion, garlic, chilies serranos, and coriander leaves. Place in bowl and add lime juice and salt, set aside. Peel and pit the avocados and place in a bowl. Mash with fork slowly adding the tablespoon of pomegranate juice. Add onion and garlic mixture and fold together to make a coarse pulp. Gently fold in pomegranate seeds. Serve with warm tortillas, tostadas, or corn chips.
FYI: One medium size pomegranate will yield about 3/4 cup of seeds or 1/2 cup of juice
Keep in mind that most of the fiber you get from eating pomegranates comes from the seed. So to keep up with a healthy dose of daily fiber, crunch on!l
Randa Khalil
Co author, Detox Bath
Ebook published by DreamTeam Publishing Ltd, UK
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The Ideal Bonsai Tree: The Dwarf Pomegranate
People who love bonsai trees will love the dwarf pomegranate tree! The dwarf pomegranate tree has beautiful flowers and fruit. However, the fruit of the dwarf pomegranate tree is quite small when compared to a normal pomegranate. The dwarf pomegranate trees flowers are yellow-orange in color and trumpet shaped; its fruit is a spherical red; and its leaves are dark green marbled with shades of bronze. The trunk of the dwarf pomegranate is naturally twisted. Overall, the dwarf pomegranate is a lush and gorgeous bonsai!
The dwarf pomegranate can be easily propagated from the thick branches of a parent plant. The dwarf pomegranate thrives in hot, sunny conditions, but needs to be kept a bit damp at all times. The only exception to this is just before mid-season, when shadier and dryer conditions encourage flowering of the dwarf pomegranate tree.
Sunlight is critical to the dwarf pomegranate tree. It is also rather delicate and frost or drying winds will kill this tree. Because the dwarf pomegranate is a Mediterranean tree, it flourishes in warm environments. If you live in an area with a cold climate, a greenhouse is the perfect place to grow the dwarf pomegranate tree. The tree flowers well when planted in a deeper-than-usual pot because a shallow pot will not accommodate the root system. The branches of the dwarf pomegranate tree can be brittle, so care should be taken.
On the whole, the dwarf pomegranate is the perfect bonsai tree. It is easily trained to almost all bonsai styles: forest, cascade, literati, tree on rock, windswept, twin trunk, root over rock, twisting trunk, informal upright, etc. A gorgeous bonsai, the dwarf pomegranate is in every aspect a full pomegranate tree, in miniature.
For more information on Bonsai styles to include Chokkan, Moyogi, Forest, Korabuki and the Shakan style please visit Beautiful-Bonsai-trees.info where you will find an abundance of Bonasai related resources.
Author: Tim Gorman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
The Super Fruit Handbook – Pomegranate – Mother Nature’s Heart Health and Cholesterol Fruit
Pomegranates are now being featured as one of the hot “super foods” that both tastes good and is good for you. Nutritional research confirms that pomegranates contain minerals – potassium, iron and calcium and vital compounds known as phytonutrients, tannins, polyhenols, ellagic acid and anthocyanins that help the body protect against heart disease, diabetes, cholesterol rheumatoid arthritis and a whole of additional benefits.
The Pomegranate: What is it?
A pomegranate is a fruit the size of a large orange. The leathery reddish-pink skin shelters the membranous walls and bitter tissue that house compartments or sacs filled with hundreds of seeds. A translucent red pulp that has a slightly sweet and tart taste surrounds these seeds. Pomegranates are grown in California and throughout Asia and the Mediterranean countries.
The pomegranate is grown for both ornamentation and as a delicious and edible fruit. The fruit is about the size and an apple and has a leathery, deep red to purplish red rind. The most popular pomegranate variety is the Wonderful or Red Wonderful. However, additional varieties exist including Granada and Early Foothill.
How Does the Pomegranate Help with Heart Health and Cholesterol Natually?:
The beneficial health effects attributed to fruit and vegetables are related to their antioxidant activity. One area of fruit consumption is the relationship between the intake of dietary nutrients rich in polyphenols and cardiovascular health and diseases. This is attributed to polyphenols’ ability to inhibit low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, macrophage foam cell formation and atherosclerosis. The polyphenols in pomegranates can protect LDL against cell-mediated oxidation including either direct interaction of the polyphenols with the lipoprotein and through accumulation of polyphenols in arterial macrophages. Pomegranate polyphenols were shown to oxidatively modify LDL. This is due to their interaction with LDL to inhibit its oxidation by scavenging reactive oxygen species due to accumulation of polyphenols in arterial macrophages.
Here are a few suggestions to get the cardiovascular and cholesterol properties of the pomegranate:
Fresh Pomegranate: The season of the pomegranate ranges from August to December with the peak of the season in November and December. This is one reason this sweet fruit is so popular during the holiday season. You can keep fresh pomegranates up to 2 months in your refrigerator. Pomegranates are available straight from the farm market or the produce section of your local store during harvest season.
Pomegranate Juice Concentrate and Ready-to-Drink juice: Pomegranate juice concentrate and ready-to-drink juice are available from your local grocery store year round. In addition, you can get pomegranate juice concentrate from Traverse Bay Farms
Pomegranate Capsules: Pomegranate capsules are the most convenient and easiest way to get the natural health benefits of the pomegranate. Pomegranate capsules are available in various potencies. These are usually measured in the Ellagic Acid amount. Pomegranate capsules are available at 20% Ellagic Acid and 40% Ellagic Acid. As the percent increase so does the potency of the capsule. A 70% Ellagic Acid capsule is available from Fruit Advantage www.fruitadvantage.com. In addition to delivering the 70% Ellagic Acid it also delivers the pomegranate extract too. Fruit Advantage Pomegranate capsules equals the Ellagic Acid (anti-oxidant) capacity of 8 glasses of pomegranate juice without the sugar.
Add some pomegranates to your daily diet for a healthy heart and health cholesterol levels today, naturally. Download a free copy of the Super Fruit Handbook and learn the natural healing benefits of superfruits from the Super Fruit Handbook website.
Russ Anderson is an avid writer about the the natural benefits of food. Download a free copy of the Super Fruit Handbook at http://www.superfruithandbook.com To learn more about the pomegranate visit http://www.traversebayfarms.com
Author: Russ Anderson Sr.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Pomegranate Juice Benefits!
Have you heard? Lately, everyone from your doctor to Oprah has been talking about the healing power of the pomegranate fruit and its juice. To some, this is no surprise. Those familiar with ancient cultures and even popular myths and legends know that the pomegranates power has been revered and respected for thousands of years. Today, people from all over the world are experiencing amazing health improvements as a result of drinking just an ounce or two of pomegranate juice each day. But what is it about pomegranate juice that causes these benefits? And more importantly, will drinking pomegranate juice help you with your health problems? Keep reading and find out!
What Makes Pomegranate Juice So Powerful?
Pomegranate juice contains a very high concentration of antioxidants. In fact, the pomegranate packs more of an antioxidant punch than any other natural substance in the world an estimated 3X more than red wine, orange juice, blueberry juice, cranberry juice, green tea, or Noni juice. But what exactly are antioxidants? Most people are just now starting to understand what antioxidants are, and the importance of them within the human body. Truth is, antioxidants are extremely important because they guard our bodies against free radical damage. Free radicals are molecules that can cause premature aging, heart disease, Alzheimers, and even cancer.
What are the Most Common Benefits of Drinking Pomegranate Juice?
When your body lacks antioxidants, a wide variety of health problems can occur. For this reason, people seem to experience a wide variety of benefits from drinking pomegranate juice regularly. But there are several benefits that are reported more often than others. Have you ever heard the pomegranate referred to as the heart-healthy fruit? Studies show that drinking pomegranate juice can reduce artherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, by 30%. What this means for you is a much lower risk of future heart problems, as well as faster recovery from past and current heart problems. My mother has experienced the effects of pomegranate juice on the heart in a very noticeable way. She has always had problems in the past with an irregular heart beat, which, as you may know, can be very frightening. Last month, I suggested that she start drinking a special kind of pomegranate juice. She started drinking 1 oz. every morning and evening, and since then, she hasnt experienced even a single episode. Her heartbeat is regular and smooth, just as it should be.
Drinking pomegranate juice regularly can also relieve hypertension (high blood pressure), reduce systolic blood pressure, and lower LDL bad cholesterol. Ohand do you remember me saying that free radicals can cause premature aging? Since antioxidants protect our bodies against free radical damage, it can be assumed that drinking pomegranate juice will actually slow down the aging process and keep you looking younger, longer. Maybe there is a fountain of youth after all!
While there is a wide range of other benefits people experience from drinking pomegranate juice, these are the most commonly reported. By now, it should make perfect since to you why everyone is talking about it! I hope that as a result of discovering these pomegranate juice benefits, youll consider giving pomegranate juice a try, and even more importantly, start drinking it every day. After all, who doesnt want to live a longer, healthier life?
Jesse Lear is creator and publisher of The Pomegranate Guy: Pre-launch Blog, a diary counting down to the launch of the worlds most comprehensive pomegranate resource. Check it out right now at http://thepomegranateguy.blogspot.com!
Author: Jesse Lear
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
The Secrets Of Pomegranate For Prostate Health Revealed
Pomegranate originates from Punica granatum tree. People have used it for medicine for centuries. Many small scale studies demonstrate its effectiveness against prostate cancer. Because of its richness of anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants, it can reduce cell damage caused by free radicals and destroy cancerous cells. The effectiveness of pomegranate for prostate health has to be examined from its substances, the ideal consumption and side effects.
Studies show that either in juice or extract form, pomegranate shows positive results in slowing down the growth of prostate cancer. It contains phytoestrogens, estrogen-like plant substances that are effective in fighting cancer. However, for now, no studies can establish which form is more effective for prostate cancer. You should be cautious with pomegranate juice as it contains calories and fructose. It is not healthy for overweight people. So, take pomegranate extract supplement instead since it contains less calories and zero fructose.
At this time, researchers have no idea how much needs to be taken for it to be effective. According to a UCLA report, drinking a glass of pomegranate juice daily may stop prostate cancer from recurring. This conclusion is derived from a test on 50 prostate cancer sufferers. Their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels doubled after surgery or radiation therapy which exposed them to the risk of dying from cancer. After drinking one eight-ounce glass of pomegranate juice daily, the average time taken for the antigen to double extended to 54 months from 15 months. This means that pomegranate juice can stabilize the PSA levels for a longer period of time during which a patient receives the treatment for prostate cancer.
So far, no unfavorable toleration or side effects have been reported from its consumption. Though most small-scale studies indicate its prowess in stopping the progress of prostate cancer, it doesn’t suggest that you should be drinking pomegranate juice. It may look like a wonder drug. As you can see, all the previous studies are only preliminary and limited. For prostate health, it can be an addition to your other supplements. More larger and extensive studies should be planned to investigate the miraculous healing power of pomegranate. Some day, it may help senior men to survive from prostate cancer.
Michael Cage researches and writes a number of articles on prostate gland health for those who are seriously considering ways to strengthen their prostates. To minimize the risks of developing prostate problems, you should maintain your prostate health every day. For more help on how to boost your prostate health, visit his blog at http://www.healthyprostatesecrets.com today.
Author: Michael Cage
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
The Benefits Of Pomegranate
Pomegranate is one of the foods for which there is currently a health buzz. Specifically, it is claimed that the polyphenols found in pomegranate juice have many health benefits, and that extracts of pomegranate can aid in anti-aging and in preventing heart disease.
Is any of this true? Are the claimed benefits of pomegranate juice or extracts actually real?
The pomegranate is the fruit of a warm climate shrub or small tree which has been cultivated in Asia and around the Mediterranean sea for centuries. It is now grown in many countries around the world where the climate allows. It is a fruit which is fairly difficult and fiddly to peel and eat, with the juicy red arils or seed cases needing to be separated from the pith by hand. It is usually eaten raw.
In folk mythology, pomegranates traditionally have 365 seeds. However, modern studies, which have actually counted seeds in individual pomegranates grown in various countries, have shown that the number of seeds can vary from 329 to over 1000! In fact, the bigger a pomegranate is, the more seeds it is likely to have.
The juice (whether fresh or extracted) of the pomegranate contains vitamin C, folic acid, and polyphenols (antioxidants), which are the basis of the health claims for the fruit.
Polyphenols work by removing free radicals from cells, which helps to maintain the human cell function, and they also aid in wound repair, in strengthening the immune system, and by having an anti-inflammatory effect. Perhaps the most famous benefit is that these polyphenols can help to slow skin wrinkling, and so pomegranates are a popular ingredient in anti-aging remedies, both traditional and modern.
Recent research has also shown that pomegranates can also help with osteoarthritis, by slowing the deterioration of cartilage. Another study has presented evidence that pomegranate juice was effective in increasing blood flow to the heart, and so was helpful for patients with ischemic heart disease. This was a study in which test subjects drank 8 ounces of juice every day for three months. It was also shown to reduce arterial plaque, in a patient test group.
In view of these results, many commercial supplements and extracts are becoming available in concentrated or capsule form. The benefits of using pomegranate extracts as a health supplement are that the less useful ingredients of the juice are removed, including the sugar and calories.
So the answer to the question we began with, Are there real health benefits of pomegranate juice, extracts or supplements?, seems to be Yes, there are. The development of the belief in the benefits of this unusual fruit appears to be, firstly, scientific investigation and endorsement, then the development of commercial supplements derived from pomegranates, then publicity for these products both online and in traditional media, at which stage the idea of pomegranate products as being beneficial finally passed into full public consciousness.
So, get peeling that pomegranate! You don’t have to count the seeds though!
Barbara Eastcairn is a health writer. See what pomegranate supplements she recommends at eastcairn.com.
Author: Barbara Eastcairn
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger
