This bright and tasty fruit is an antioxidant powerhouse
They might look a little funny, and it takes effort to get to the fiber-filled seeds in the center, but trust us: You need pomegranates in your shopping cart.
Pomegranates—also known as Chinese apples—are fruits cultivated throughout the Mediterranean, South Europe and California. Used for both their culinary and medicinal benefits since 3000 B.C., this vibrant red fruit is associated with health and fertility.
It’s also packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, and research supports its ability to protect against heart disease and some types of cancer. The seeds, the pulp and the juice are edible and good for you.
You should also know:
One study of heart disease patients found that a daily dose (about eight ounces) of pomegranate juice over three months showed improvements in blood flow to the heart.
Antioxidants in pomegranates include polyphenols, such as tannins and anthocyanins. Some research indicates pomegranates may have more antioxidant power than cranberry juice or green tea.
Though pomegranates can’t fight off cancer by themselves, eaten as part of a balanced, plant-based diet, they have been proved to slow prostate cancer growth. In a UCLA study, men who had already had preliminary prostate cancer therapy and who had a daily dose of pomegranate juice experienced suppressed cancer cell growth.
One cup of the juice provides 60 micrograms of folic acid, the B vitamin that helps prevent neural tube defects in newborns.
A group of phytochemicals called ellagitannins—found in pomegrantes—suppressed estrogen production in estrogen-responsive breast cancer in a study.
So peel or pour to your health!
