|  | Diet Nutrition | Nutrition

Nutrients in Pomegranates

The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a nutritious fruit that was first cultivated in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It is about 2 to 5 inches across consisting of a thick red husk with approximately 600 dark red arils (seeds covered in separate sections of pulp) inside, kept in place by white pith. In addition to being nutritious, they are moderately frost and drought tolerant.

Pomegranates have been used in preventive and curative medicine in certain parts of the world since ancient times. Modern science is finding empirical evidence that supports its usage.

  1. Features

    • For every 3.5 oz. of pomegranate juice there are 17.17 g of carbohydrates, 0.3 g of fat, 0.95 g of protein, 0.6 g of fiber and 16.57 g of sugar.

      Pomegranates also contain significant amounts of B vitamins, vitamin C and essential minerals: 3.5 ounces of pomegranate contain 10 percent of the daily value for vitamin C, 12 percent B5 (pantothenic acid), 8 percent vitamin B6 (pyridoxal phosphate), as well as vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B3 (niacin) and vitamin B9 (folate). It also contains the essential minerals iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus.

      In addition to vitamins and essential minerals, pomegranates contain antioxidant polyphenols. Out of these polyphenols the most plentiful are the punicalagins that are hydrolysable tannins. The pomegranate's oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) level is 2,860 units for every 3.5 oz., which means that it is high in antioxidants.

    Benefits

    • Pomegranates can help improve health in a variety of ways. In volume 131 of the Journal of Nutrition, Marielle Kaplan and colleagues state that pomegranate juice keeps plaque from building up on blood vessel walls. In another study in the September 2001 issue of Atherosclerosis, researchers found that pomegranate juice reduces blood pressure.

      Another study in the October 30, 2007 issue of the Journal of Chinese Clinical Medicine found that pomegranate has antiviral and antibacterial properties.

      The oil from pomegranate seeds may help send breast cancer into remission. In the February 2002 issue of Breast Cancer and Treatment, N.D. Kim and colleagues state that in an in vitro test, certain polyphenols in the seed oil that keep estrogen from synthesizing stopped breast cancer cells from proliferating.

    History/Time Frame

    • Ancient peoples were the first to recognize the pomegranate's nutritional value. As far back as 1500 B.C.E., in ancient Egypt, pomegranates were used as a cure for tapeworm.

      China also was one of the earliest cultures to make use of the pomegranate's nutritive abilities. It was mentioned as far back as 470 C.E. in medical texts.

    Considerations

    • Pomegranates, because of their nutritive value, are used in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine. In Ayurvedic medicine, pomegranate juice is used to treat mouth, throat and heart diseases and such other issues as exhaustion, hypertension, nausea, arthritis, anemia, cardiovascular diseases and jaundice.

      In Traditional Chinese Medicine, pomegranates and their husks are used. The juice stuns certain parasites such as roundworms and tapeworms, due to alkaloids named pelletierines found in it. The husk is used as a gargle for throat and mouth problems and is used topically for ringworm.

    Misconceptions

    • Although pomegranates are nutritious, not everyone benefits from them. It is possible to be allergic to pomegranates, with symptoms including itchy watery eyes, among others. Prescription medications may not be metabolized as they should be if taken in combination with pomegranate juice.

Nutrition - Related Articles