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10 Health Benefits of Pomegranates
Luscious, yummy pomegranates are perhaps one of the world’s oldest fruits. It’s been a symbol of fertility and health for centuries in its native Persia (what today we call Iran). It’s also one of the most challenging fruits to consume. You must split the tough, outer skin, and then you are faced with a chamber of beautiful, red seeds to consume. Although the seeds are the only part of this fruit that is edible, but, as many, many studies have shown, the nutritional value they contain is much greater than what you probably ever imagined.
Check out our list of the top 10 surprising health benefits you can get from this one, yummy unique and ancient fruit.
1. Prevents Cancer
There have been several studies that show that the powerful antioxidants and polyphenols that are in pomegranates help to prevent cancer cells from growing and spreading. Preventing cancer is much easier than dealing with it after it has happened. Many cancers prove fatal if not caught early enough.
2. Protection from Skin Cancer
In June of 2009, a study was published showing that pomegranate juice and oils can help to protect your skin from dangerous UV rays from the sun. The researchers published this study in Experimental Dermatology and they stated that they believed that it was the tannins as well as the anthocyanins that pomegranates contain that offer us this protection. These same compounds also have powerful anti-aging benefits and can shield us from chronic disease that aging brings, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
3. Reduces Cholesterol
One study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that pomegranate juice helped to stop the oxidation of the bad (LDL cholesterol in tests done on humans. Regular consumption of pomegranates, and their juice, can be very helpful in reducing that bad cholesterol, which is one of the main causes of the most common type of heart disease.
4. Aids Digestion
In order to have a healthy digestive tract, you should consume a minimum of 20-35 grams of fiber each day; this according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Pomegranate is a great source of fiber that can not only help to prevent constipation, but it can help you absorb nutrients from your food more efficiently while keeping your entire digestive tract in the best health possible.
5. Increases the Libido
Queen Margaret University conducted research that showed that just one glass of pomegranate juice daily boosted the testosterone levels in both women and men. This means that pomegranates are a natural aphrodisiac that could really improve your sex life!
6. Improve Immunity
If you are looking for ways to naturally improve your immunity then you should look for foods that are rich in vitamin C. Pomegranates are a great source of vitamin C! This means that consuming pomegranates, or the juice, can help keep your immune system strong so it can fight diseases and infections.
7. Fountain of Youth
Well, maybe not exactly, but pomegranates do have some great anti-aging attributes! Our skin develops those wrinkles and age spots, in part, due to the damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants are free radical killers and pomegranates are simply loaded with antioxidant power! Eating pomegranates regularly can help to keep your skin bright and radiant!
8. Protects Against Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is a terrible illness that affects our brain cells and causes serious problems for those afflicted, as well as for their caretakers. Research conducted at Loma Linda University showed that drinking a glass of this powerful antioxidant juice can help to reduce the buildup of the harmful plaque and proteins that cause Alzheimer’s disease. Read more about prevention of Alzheimer’s.
9. Stress Reducer
It’s true! Queen Margaret University showed in one study that drinking pomegranate juice daily can help to lower our stress levels. Is it because it tastes so good? Perhaps, but more likely that this flavorful juice lowers the body’s stress hormone, cortisol.
10. Natural Anti-inflammatory
The Journal of Inflammation published a study that discovered that the juice from this fruit can actually inhibit the inflammatory activity of excess mast cells. These cells are a natural part of the body but can become a very aggressive source of inflammation when they are imbalanced. It’s that antioxidant power in pomegranate that helps reduce inflammation in the body.
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