What are pomegranates?
A pomegranate is a sweet, tart fruit with a thick, red skin. Although the peel is inedible, it contains hundreds of juicy seeds that you can eat plain or sprinkle on salads, oatmeal, hummus and other dishes.
People have enjoyed pomegranates for their health benefits since ancient times. Modern research has shown that the antioxidants in pomegranates can help protect your heart. The anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties of pomegranates may have promising applications in cancer treatment and prevention, but more research is needed to prove this.
The most common way to enjoy a pomegranate is to cut it open and pull apart the skin to reveal the edible seeds and juice sacs called arils.
Pomegranates grow on tall bushes. These shrubs needa lot of heatto grow and ripen these delicious fruits.Pomegranatesare native to Iran and northern India, but also grow in the United States. The majority of pomegranates are grown in California.
Pronunciation of pomegranate
Pomegranate is pronounced "paa·muh·gr·cold."
Pomegranate season
Pomegranates are in season from September to November, but due to their long shelf life you can usually find them in supermarkets until January. However, you can find pomegranate juice all year round.
Pomegranate seeds
The word pomegranate comes from Latinexpressionbig applewhich loosely means "apple with many seedsIt's an appropriate name, because beneath their leathery skin, pomegranates are divided into several chambers, each filled with hundreds of red seeds.
Botanically, these seeds are called seeds. An aril is the fleshy, transparent tissue that covers the pomegranate seed. When thishatis cracked, the seeds release a red, juicy pulp.
Can you eat pomegranate seeds?
Although the rind of the fruit is not edible, you can juice pomegranate seeds whole or eat them in salads, cereals, andyoghurt.
How to open a pomegranate
To open a pomegranate, first cut off both ends. You may be able to see the membranes that divide the inside of the fruit. Cut into the skin along these edges from top to bottom.
Then cut deep enough to cut through the peel and white pith without cutting the pomegranate seeds. Hold the pomegranate over a bowl of water and pry it apart with your fingers.
Pull the seeds away from the membrane and husk, allowing them to fall into the bowl of water. The membrane will float to the top of the water and the seeds will sink to the bottom. Remove the diaphragm and discard it. Drain the water from the seeds.
What is pomegranate juice?
You can remove the seeds from a pomegranate and squeeze them to release the fruit juice. Pomegranate juice is especially common in Iran, but other countries also enjoy it. Bottled pomegranate juice is an easy way to enjoy ithealth benefitsof this delicious fruit.
How to make pomegranate juice
You can squeeze the seeds from a pomegranate for juice. A large pomegranate yields between 1/4 and 1/2 cup of juice.
To extract the juice, crush the seeds in a food mill or sieve. You can also blend the seeds and then pour the liquid mixture through a sieve to remove any remaining pulp from the juice.
You can freeze it or use pomegranate juice to make it last longer. If you choose to do this, add a few tablespoonscitroenjuice before sealing the can to preserve the vibrant color of the juice.
Pomegranate tea
Pomegranate tea is made with ground pomegranate seeds, dried pomegranate flowers or by adding pomegranate juice concentrate to the tea.
You can buy or grow pomegranates and make this tea yourself, or buy it at most supermarkets in the tea section. If you buy it ready-made, you will often find it mixed with mint,I curse youor green tea.
Pomegranate tea nutrition
A cup of brewed pomegranate tea contains:
- Calories: 6
- Protein: 0 grams
- Know: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 1 gram
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Sugar: 0 grams
Pomegranate juice and tea are rich in nutrients. Two compounds present in pomegranate seeds – punicalagins and punicic acid – are very powerfulantioxidants.
Other pomegranate drinks
Pomegranate juice can brighten up any co*cktail, including:
Pomegranate martini
Add pomegranate juice, vodka, Cointreau spirit, sparkling water and a squeeze of lemon to an ice-filled martini shaker. Combine and serve in a chilled martini glass.
Pomegranate margarita
Combine tequila, pomegranate juice, lime juice, agave and salt in a co*cktail shaker filled with ice. Strain the mixture into a cup filled with ice and enjoy.
Leave it outalcoholfor a delicious mocktail version of both drinks.
Pomegranate benefits
Pomegranates can contain up to three times more antioxidants than green tea or red wine. Antioxidants protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals and reduce inflammation.
Other health benefits of pomegranates include:
Better heart health
Research shows that pomegranates can help protect your heart in many wayslow bloodpressureas well as blood sugar levels. Pomegranates contain polyphenolic compounds called punicalagins or ellagitannins. These antioxidants help prevent artery walls from thickening and reduce cholesterol and plaque buildup. Pomegranate juice also contains high amounts of plant pigments called anthocyanins and anthoxanthins, which support good heart health.
Atherosclerosis, the buildup of cholesterol and fats in the arteries, is a common cause of heart disease. Pomegranate juice can help reduce itLDL-cholesterolor 'bad' cholesterol, which clogs the arteries. It can also increase HDL cholesterol or "good" cholesterol, which lowers the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Improved diabetes control
Early studies have suggested that people with type 2 diabetes who started drinking pomegranate juice showed an improvement in insulin resistance, but more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Possibly reduced risk of cancer
Pomegranates are rich inantioxidantsand flavonoids, both of which help prevent free radicals from damaging your cells. Some early research shows that pomegranates have potential to help prevent prostate, breast, lung and lung diseasescolon cancer. Additionally, preclinical studies in animals have shown that consuming pomegranates can help inhibit the growth of lung, skin, colon and prostate tumors. More research is needed to better understand these effects on humans.
Pomegranate nutrition
Fresh pomegranate is a source of fiber, which can promote weight loss, lower cholesterol and relieve constipation.
Nutrients per part
Half of a pomegranate, which corresponds to one serving, contains:
- Calories: 72
- Protein: 2.35 grams
- Vet: 1.6 grams
- Carbohydrates: 26 grams
- Fiber: 5.5 grams
- Sugar: 20 grams
An 8 oz serving of pomegranate juice contains:
- Calories: 135
- Protein: 1 gram
- Know: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 34 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Sugar: 30 grams
- Sodium: 10 grams
Although pomegranates lose much of their vitamin C content when they are juiced, they retain almost all of their potassium, about 536 mg. Potassium is an important mineral that helps keep your nerves and heart strong. Enjoying fresh pomegranates or their juice will give you plenty of this important mineral.
Some pomegranate-flavored drinks are higher in calories because they contain more sugar than regular pomegranate juice. To get the health benefits of pomegranates without the extra calories, look for bottles that say "100% juice."
Potential risks of pomegranate and pomegranate juice
Pomegranates are generally safe to eat. However, some people may experience unwanted side effects. Allergic reactions to pomegranate are rare, but can occur. If you are allergic to plants, pay attention to possible symptoms, such as hives or difficulty breathing.
Pomegranate may also interact with some medications and medications. It is best to consult your doctor or limit your pomegranate consumption if you are taking medications such as:
- ACE inhibitors or other medications forhigh bloodpressure
- Crestor and other high cholesterol medicines that can be broken down in your liver
- Blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
How to eat pomegranate
You can easily add pomegranate to your diet by:
- Add seeds to a quinoa salad with other fresh fruits and vegetables
- Sprinkle granola seeds over your granola-infused yogurt to make a parfait
- Give your salad a boost by adding pomegranate seeds
- Mixture of pomegranate juice with bananas andyoghurtmake a smoothie
- Mix pomegranate juice, rice vinegar, oil, garlic and white sugar until combinedprayermortgage
Pomegranate melas
Pomegranate molasses is a syrup made by boiling pomegranate juice, sometimes with added lemon juice and sugar. It can be used to marinate meat or for cookingprayerbandages. Pomegranate molasses is a popular ingredient in West Asian cuisine.
Cultivation of pomegranates
Pomegranates grow on dense, multi-stemmed shrubs. Sometimes these shrubs can be pruned into single-trunked trees. The branches of these shrubs are spiny with dark green, oval leaves. They can grow 10-12 feet tall.
How to grow pomegranates
Pomegranates grow best in warm climates with temperatures above 29 degrees Celsius for at least 120 days a year. The shrub thrives in clay, well-drained soil and should be planted in an area that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
If you want to grow your own pomegranate bush, the best place to start is with a hardwood cutting or a branch from a larger pomegranate bush that has been pruned after it sheds its leaves for the winter. Make the cutting in late fall or early winter and plant it in a pot. Transplant the cutting into the ground the following spring.
In a few years, your pomegranate bush will mature, bloom and then bear fruit. Pomegranates are usually harvested between August and November. Allow the fruit to ripen on the tree as long as possible, as pomegranates do not continue to ripen after being picked. When harvesting pomegranates, cut as close to the fruit as possible and handle the fruit gently to avoid puncturing the skin.
