How pomegranate is useful for the human body – 12 proven facts
Pomegranate is one of the healthiest fruits on the planet. It has a massive evidence base and is recommended for use by people of all age groups.
Pomegranate helps to reduce body weight, increase mental and physical activity, and also provides prevention of diseases from the cardiovascular, endocrine, digestive systems, destroys pathogenic microorganisms.
12 useful qualities
Pomegranate contains a lot of substances that benefit human health. Scientists bind its use is associated with many positive changes in the body. Below are the 12 most reliable beneficial properties of the fruit.
1. The supply of valuable substances to the body
The average weight of 1 grenade is from 300 to 500 grams. Half of the fruit (about 174 grams) has 144 calories and contains the following elements:
- Fiber – 7 grams;
- Proteins – 3 grams;
- Vitamin C – 30% of the recommended daily requirement;
- Vitamin K – 36% of the recommended daily requirement;
- Folic acid – 16% of the recommended daily requirement;
- Potassium is 12% of the recommended daily requirement.
- In smaller amounts, it is rich in B vitamins, calcium and phosphorus.
Vitamin C is the strongest antioxidant that ensures adequate metabolic processes in the body, strengthens the immune system and supports the health of the inner lining of the arteries.
B vitamins are important for the smooth transmission of neuromuscular signals and the prevention of diseases from the digestive system.
Potassium is the main "heart" trace element. It is he who is responsible for the regularity of contractions of cardiomyocytes.
Calcium is necessary to maintain bone mineral density, complete muscle contractions.
Folic Acid is responsible for the processes of cell division, which is especially important for women during pregnancy, as well as for the recovery of the body after severe injuries or surgical operations.
2. Antioxidant effect
Pomegranate contains two powerful antioxidant substances – punicalagin and punic acid.
How claim American experts, punicalagin is more than 3 times more effective than green tea and red wine.
Punic acid plays a special positive role. Experiments on rodents demonstrate that punic acid slows down the formation of fat depots and significantly accelerates lipolysis. Also, this substance inhibits appetite, which leads to a decrease in the caloric content of the diet.
Selected studies celebrate that punic acid not only helps to reduce fat mass, but also increases the volume of muscle tissue in the body.
The antioxidant effect is not limited to this. Against the background of the systematic use of pomegranates, it is noted:
- Prevention of the development of pathologies of the glycemic background (type II diabetes mellitus, fasting hyperglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance).
- Reducing the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases. The group includes: hypertension and coronary heart disease.
- Improvement of digestive function.
3. Anti-inflammatory effect
It is with chronic inflammation in the body that the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system, type II diabetes mellitus, malignant tumors, obesity and Alzheimer's disease is associated.
Pomegranate has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect.
Italian specialists proved that it contains a number of active substances (ellagitanins, ellagic acid) that inhibit chronic inflammation in the large intestine, preventing the development of peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.
Scientists from Iran discovered that pomegranate reduces the concentration of inflammatory markers in the blood. There was a decrease in C-reactive protein by 32% and interleukin-6 by 30%. These substances accelerate the development of atherosclerosis in the walls of arteries, contribute to the manifestation of autoimmune diseases and the early development of type II diabetes mellitus.
There is also evidence that chronic inflammation leads to shortening of telomeres during cell division, which is associated with general aging of the body. Garnet is able to slow down this process.
4. Prevention of prostate cancer
Foreign studies show that pomegranate is able not only to slow down the division of malignant cells, but also to cause their death by stimulating apoptosis. Tropicity is noted in relation to prostate tissue.
The main marker of prostate cancer is a prostate-specific antigen, the concentration of which steadily increases as the malignant neoplasm increases.
Employees of the University of California (USA) discovered that the consumption of 240 ml of pomegranate juice per day increases the time required to double the concentration of prostate-specific antigen in the blood from 15 to 54 months. This fact clearly demonstrates the fruit's ability to slow down the development of a malignant process in the prostate.
5. Prevention of malignant degeneration of mammary gland cells
Breast cancer is the most common oncological disease among women.
Recent scientific studies show that pomegranate is able to prevent the proliferation of cancer cells in the mammary glands.
For example, American specialists revealed that pomegranate extract inhibits the growth of foreign cells in the tissues of the mammary glands, and also causes their apoptosis. The effects are realized at the gene level and are associated with the control of DNA chain synthesis.
Unfortunately, the evidence base is limited exclusively to laboratory studies and experiments on rodents. Human trials are needed.
6. Lowering blood pressure
Hypertension is one of the most common diseases of the cardiological profile. The deviation affects up to 30% of the world's population, the frequency of occurrence increases with age and is about 70% in people over 65 years of age.
High blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke, coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease and myocardial infarction.
Proven that drinking 150 ml of pomegranate juice for 14 days leads to a marked decrease in systolic blood pressure and improves vascular endothelial function.
Other studies confirmed the effect of fruit on diastolic blood pressure.
Pomegranate can be used in conjunction with antihypertensive medications to improve blood pressure control and reduce their dose.
7. Relief of arthritis symptoms
Pomegranate has an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effect, accelerates the regeneration of damaged structures in the body. Therefore, it can help in the treatment of inflammatory lesions of the articular apparatus.
According to the data scientists from the USA, the fruit is able to block the enzymes responsible for damage to the articular surfaces in osteoarthritis.
In addition, experiments on rodents shown effectiveness in reducing the severity of pain syndrome caused by arthritis.
8. Correction of cholesterol levels
Most people over the age of 50 have various lipid profile disorders that lead to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the walls of blood vessels and the appearance of diseases such as: chronic cerebral ischemia, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, etc.
Proven that the extract of pomegranate oil or seeds significantly increases the concentration of HDL (beneficial cholesterol) and reduces the content of triacylglycerides. Also is celebrated efficacy against LDL, the most atherogenic type of cholesterol.
It is important to note that, according to the data American experts, pomegranate protects LDL from oxidation. Consequently, it prevents the development of atherosclerosis even with initially elevated levels of cholesterol and its atherogenic fractions.
9. Improvement of erectile function
Installed
that pomegranate increases blood supply to the vessels of the penis by blood due to the inhibition of oxidative stress.
American studies show that about half of men with erectile dysfunction have an improvement in their condition against the background of regular intake of pomegranate juice.
10. The fight against infectious diseases
Proven
that the plant substances in the composition of pomegranate are able to fight various infectious agents.
According to the data scientists from the UK, the fruit inhibits the vital activity of fungi of the genus Candida, which usually affect the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and digestive tract.
Iranian specialists revealed the effectiveness of pomegranate against streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus and a number of other bacterial microorganisms.
Therefore, the use of fruit helps to prevent and improve the effectiveness of therapy for a wide range of diseases: from gingivitis or stomatitis to pneumonia or severe intestinal infections.
11. Memory improvement
There is little evidence regarding the positive effect of pomegranate on Brain functions
.
Plant Extract prevents Memory loss after surgery caused by anesthesia.
American studies show , which is about 240 ml of pomegranate juice taken on a regular basis, Improve memory (verbal and visual) in people of middle and older age groups.
The fruit is also able to prevent the manifestation of Alzheimer's disease.
The exact mechanisms of influence on the work and functional state of the brain have not been fully studied.
12. Improving physical performance
Studies demonstrate
that the use of pomegranate extract 30 minutes before exercise significantly improves microcirculation in peripheral tissues.
The fruit also postpones the onset of fatigue and increases the effectiveness of performing various exercises.
The effect is due to the fact that pomegranate is rich in nitrates, dilating blood vessels .
Safety and contraindications
Despite all the positive qualities, in some cases a pomegranate can harm a person. There are important contraindications to its use:
- Exacerbations of chronic diseases of the digestive tract (peptic ulcer, gastritis, enteritis, etc.). The fruit increases the secretion of hydrochloric acid, and also causes irritation of the mucous membranes itself, which can worsen the course of inflammatory pathologies.
- Constipation. Pomegranate is rich in tannins that slow down the motility of the digestive tract and increase the density of feces.
- Individual hypersensitivity (allergy).
In addition, it is recommended to drink a small amount of water (100-200 ml) or rinse your mouth after each use of pomegranate. The systematic effect of fruit on the components of the oral cavity can cause the destruction of tooth enamel and the development of caries.
Use during pregnancy
The fruit is rich in folic acid, as well as other vitamins and minerals that are extremely important for improving uteroplacental blood flow, maintaining a "healthy" tone of the uterus, and developing the neural tube of the fetus.
In the postpartum period, pomegranate helps to increase the production of colostrum and breast milk, which is especially important for people suffering from hypogalactia.
The recommended maximum daily allowance is from 200 to 400 grams per day.
Answers to popular questions
The most popular questions about pomegranate intake are discussed below:
- How to store? It is recommended to store whole pomegranate in a dark room at room temperature for no more than 14 days. When stored in the refrigerator, the shelf life increases to 2 months, but the fruit should be wrapped in paper. Fruit juice must be stored exclusively in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks (freezing is allowed).
- Is pomegranate juice useful? Yes! It has almost the same composition. Before use, it is recommended to dilute the juice with water in a ratio of 50:50.
- Properties and application of the peel. Pomegranate peels are distinguished by a rich set of antioxidant substances. Pomegranate peel and flowers can be used to make tea, decoctions and tinctures, which are used to treat inflammatory diseases of the gums and nasal cavity, burns.
- Properties and applications of bones . Pomegranate seeds are rich in vitamin E, fatty acids and fiber. They are usually used in the preparation of essential oils for cosmetic purposes for the skin of the face and body, as well as hair. It is allowed to use them orally in order to improve the motility of the gastrointestinal tract.
Conclusion
- Thus, pomegranate is rich in a variety of vitamins, micro- and macronutrients, as well as antioxidants.
- Systematic use brings a lot of benefits: weight loss, prevention of a wide range of diseases of oncological, cardiological, endocrine, gastroenterological and neurological profile.
- The plant also reduces the severity of inflammatory processes and inhibits the vital activity of a number of pathogenic microorganisms.
- It is recommended to treat the use correctly, study the list of possible contraindications and complications, rinse your mouth after ingestion.
