What makes pomegranate useful. Health benefits of pomegranate.
- What vitamins are in pomegranate
- How pomegranate juice is useful
- Medicinal properties of pomegranate
- How pomegranate is useful for pregnant women
- Is pomegranate harmful?!
What vitamins are in pomegranate
Pomegranate contains a huge number of minerals and vitamins — it can replace a pharmacy vitamin complex. It contains every trace element needed for the normal functioning of the body. Pomegranate juice has about 15 amino acids — 6 of them essential amino acids found almost exclusively in eggs and meat, so vegetarians often include pomegranate juice in their diet. Pomegranate contains the B-group vitamins and vitamins P and C (important for immunity and vascular strength). B-group vitamins improve hematopoiesis and the nervous system. Pomegranates are also popular for weight management — 100 g of pulp contains no more than 80 calories. And don’t forget the minerals: silicon, iodine, iron, calcium and potassium.
How pomegranate juice is useful
Everyone knows fresh pomegranate juice has healing properties thanks to its high concentration of nutrients. Pomegranate leads all berry juices in trace elements, vitamins and minerals. The juice contains vitamins A, PP, B, E, C and many others. It also contains organic acids — citric acid being the most valuable. Importantly, all the useful minerals in pomegranate juice are in a bioavailable form and are absorbed very quickly. Pomegranate is a potassium record-holder, but should not be abused.
Pomegranate juice is a dietary product because it is very easy to digest. It is often recommended for people with anemia and low hemoglobin. It is prescribed for kidney and urinary-tract diseases because of its diuretic effect — it removes toxins and excess water from the body. Although excess potassium is harmful for the heart, the potassium content in pomegranate is balanced; it is prescribed during diuretic therapy, since most potassium is lost during treatment. Over time, edema, hypertension, headaches caused by high blood pressure and other conditions subside.
Pomegranate contains indispensable substances — polyphenols. They reduce cancer risk by strengthening the immune system with antioxidants. Even green tea, blueberries and cranberries have far fewer polyphenols, though they are considered record-holders. Pomegranate juice can therefore be consumed during flu and ARVI seasons to reduce illness risk and strengthen the immune system. Of course, we cannot claim pomegranate cures cancer, but pomegranate juice and pulp can be consumed for preventive purposes.
Pomegranate juice is often prescribed for gastrointestinal diseases. Its tannins — pectin substances — relax the GI tract and prevent inflammation. Pomegranate is recommended for appetite, faster digestion, better absorption and more. The juice also helps with poisoning, since its antioxidants flush harmful substances out of the body very quickly.
As noted, pomegranate can relieve and reduce the risk of colds. It strongly strengthens the immune system and is recommended for sore throat, colds, bronchial asthma, acute bronchitis and other inflammatory diseases. For throat problems, gargle with pomegranate juice — but first learn the right water/juice ratio. For illness, prefer sweet pomegranate juice. Consult a doctor first; if that’s not possible, dilute half a glass of juice with water and drink three glasses a day. If the juice is too sour, add a tablespoon of honey per 200 ml. The juice’s anti-inflammatory effect also helps with astigmatism and myopia — used as compresses.
Not everything is rosy. Because of its acidity, the juice is not recommended for people with stomach or duodenal ulcers. Pomegranate increases stomach-acid production, affects the pancreas and can exacerbate pancreatitis. It may trigger flare-ups of GI inflammation such as cholecystitis. Because nutrient concentration is very high, even healthy people should drink pomegranate juice carefully. Never drink pure juice — dilute with purified (distilled or boiled) water, or with carrot or beet juice. Drinking pure juice can cause constipation because pomegranate binds stools (useful for diarrhea sufferers). It is also contraindicated for people with thin tooth enamel because it erodes enamel and changes its color. During illness doctors prescribe pomegranate juice diluted with carrot juice — 50 ml carrot juice to 150 ml pomegranate juice.
Medicinal properties of pomegranate
Even in ancient times people knew about pomegranate’s benefits, since it contains an incredibly high amount of minerals and vitamins. The famous medieval physician Avicenna spoke of pomegranate as the most useful fruit, curing chronic diseases. Modern medicine is well aware of this, and even general practitioners prescribe pomegranate juice. Pomegranate cures anemia by restoring the required iron level in the blood — just 60 ml of juice a day is enough. It also helps with colds — it relieves inflammation, reduces fever and even cures tonsillitis. But don’t drink too much juice; for treatment, eat half a pomegranate daily.
Pomegranate juice can help with cardiovascular diseases thanks to the large amounts of vitamins C and PP, which actively fight atherosclerosis and strengthen blood vessels. It is therefore prescribed to diabetic patients at risk of atherosclerosis. The juice also helps hypertensive patients — it quickly lowers and normalizes blood pressure. For slow blood flow caused by high viscosity, pomegranate juice is prescribed to thin the blood and restore circulation. To normalize blood composition, eat half a pomegranate a day or drink 50 ml of juice.
Pomegranate’s positive effect on the nervous system is hard to overestimate. It is often used as a natural antidepressant. The fruit’s membranes are dried and added to tea — this normalizes sleep, emotional state, brain function and concentration.
Beauty salons use pomegranate-juice masks — mainly to normalize sebaceous-gland work, so they are prescribed to shrink pores and treat acne. Pomegranate seeds are added to scrubs and exfoliating creams to cleanse the upper skin layer of old and rough cells. Pomegranate juice is used to brighten complexion — it whitens facial skin, removes freckles and age spots. A simple mask: mix 20 ml of juice with 100 g of sour cream; apply thinly for 15 minutes then rinse with warm water.
Pomegranate is often prescribed for cancer treatment thanks to its natural antioxidants that boost immunity. The juice helps with prostate and breast cancer — 200 ml a day. Its minerals and antioxidants also help with osteochondrosis and arthritis by blocking the enzymes that destroy bone and cartilage tissue. Although pomegranate juice is not recommended for people with thin tooth enamel, it is prescribed for gum and tartar treatment — which helps eliminate bad breath. Pomegranate positively affects blood and vessels, which improves potency; 200 ml a day is prescribed for preventing and treating impotence.
How pomegranate is useful for pregnant women
Pregnant women often eat pomegranates but do not always know why. First, pomegranate increases hemoglobin and vitamin B12 in the blood — but only if it does not harm the GI tract and is perfectly absorbed. Second, it binds stools (normalizing bowels) — but if the woman already suffers from constipation, pomegranate is strictly contraindicated. Third, pomegranate is very useful for the baby’s development, as it contains all the needed nutrients. Fourth, pomegranate strengthens vaginal muscles, reducing labor pain — the juice contains oxytocin (a pain-relieving hormone). No drugs currently contain this hormone in easily absorbable form, so doctors prescribe pomegranate juice.
Pregnancy brings many health issues — pomegranate helps with almost all. It replenishes minerals and vitamins, restores cardiac activity, increases hemoglobin synthesis and iron levels. Women often suffer from early-pregnancy toxicosis, so pomegranate juice is prescribed to reduce nausea attacks. Its diuretic effect removes toxins too. Pregnant women are vulnerable to ARVI and flu — which can cause miscarriage or placental toxicity — so pomegranate juice is prescribed to boost immunity.
How to use the juice during pregnancy? Simple: do not drink more than 200 ml a day and do not drink pure juice or it will harm the body. Drink through a straw to preserve tooth enamel. If juice gets on the teeth, rinse with water. Don’t forget that pregnancy often causes constipation — pomegranate juice will worsen this. If you don’t squeeze the juice yourself, avoid cartons — prefer glass bottles. But fresh-squeezed is always best since processing destroys much of the vitamins and minerals. Consult a doctor for an ideal dose. Usually doctors recommend mixing carrot and pomegranate juice in equal parts.
Is pomegranate harmful?!
Pomegranate is one of the most healing fruits today — both conventional and alternative medicine value it. It cures many diseases and strengthens immunity — but can it really do no harm?
First take care of your teeth — pomegranate contains a lot of acids that erode enamel, damage fillings and change tooth color. During a pomegranate course get two toothpastes — whitening and strengthening. Better still, drink juice through a straw to avoid contact with teeth.
Pomegranate juice is strictly forbidden for people with stomach or duodenal ulcers, pancreatitis or gastritis because of its boric, citric, malic, tartaric and succinic acids. It is also forbidden for people with allergies — allergic reactions include skin redness, mucosal inflammation, severe cough, weakness and dizziness.
Everything in moderation — don’t rush the course of treatment and don’t exceed the dose your doctor prescribed. Pomegranate is a very healthful fruit, but should be consumed consistently in small portions — only then will it help cure illness and strengthen overall body tone.