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Pomegranates: Jewels In The Fruit Crown

The pomegranate is an ancient fruit with a rich history in myth, symbol, art, medicine and religion. It has always been an important part of the Middle Eastern diet. Until recently, however, pomegranates were something of a seasonal novelty in the West. Then medical studies suggested what the ancients believed and Middle Easterners probably take for granted: Pomegranates are really good for you. And thus, instant celebrity. Scientists say the leathery-skinned, orange-sized fruit with the sweet-tart juice may help with heart disease, cancer and problems associated with aging. It's loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, potassium, folic acid and iron. Pomegranates are the new superfood.

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 Consider the pomegranate

A familiar sight in the Middle East for millennia, the pomegranate is a relative newcomer to our diet. We like our fruit easily peeled, its flesh sweet and minimally seeded. Pomegranates are exotic and other, symbols for sex and death and, paradoxically, for eternal life. They're among the most captivating things in nature, though: ruddy and gold, studded with jewelled arils, flesh-like tart tears folded into bitter pith.

 TikTok’s pomegranate obsession: the trendy fruit was also big during the Renaissance to talk about female fertility

Pomegranates are hot right now, the red fruit with its glistening jewel-like segments has become the centre of a new TikTok trend. The hashtags #pomegranate and #pomegranategirl have been trending in videos featuring debates about sexuality and feminism. At the risk of sounding all staid and academic but this all is just so Renaissance. Actually, it is more than that, as the roots of pomegranate symbolism and its links to femininity and sexuality extend into classical writings. You’ll find the connection in Herodotus’ Histories and in many religious texts – from those belonging to Christianity and Islam to Zoroastrianism.

Articles of Interest

Nutrition Superfood of the Week: Pomegranates

Pomegranates are pretty much the perfect fruit. First of all, they're completely gorgeous. They have a unique flavor all their own. And the fact that poms are packed with cancer-fighting antioxidants and a vitamin profile other fruits envy?

Ask Well: Are Pomegranates Good For You?

Pomegranates are rich in micronutrients with potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and are often compared favorably with red wine and green tea in terms of health benefits. But there’s little good evidence that the level of nutrients found in the fruit translates into true gains for human health, said Dr. Brent Bauer, director of the Mayo Clinic’s complementary and integrative medicine program, because few clinical trials have been done. “There’s a suggestion pomegranate can do a lot of things,” Dr. Bauer said. “The trouble is there’s very limited data.”

Fruit of the month: Pomegranate

Pomegranates are packed with hundreds of edible ruby-red seeds called arils that have a sweet, tart flavor. They’re also full of nutrients that benefit the heart, especially antioxidants that help quell inflammation. In fact, pomegranate juice contains three times the antioxidant activity of red wine or green tea. Studies suggest the juice may help lower levels of harmful LDL cholesterol and reduce blood pressure. But as is true for all fruits, you’re better off consuming the fruit itself (so you eat the fiber-rich seeds) rather than drinking juice. A half-cup of pomegranate arils contains just 72 calories.

Healthy Effects of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in Internal Medicine and Dentistry

The pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a typical crop in Asian and Mediterranean countries, the Middle East, and some USA areas. Pomegranate fruit is composed of about 80% water and 15% carbohydrates, mainly sugars (such as fructose, sucrose, and glucose), and the remaining part is represented by fibers, vitamins (such as vitamin C), and natural bioactive compounds (NBCs), namely polyphenols

How To Enjoy A Pomegranate

Slice pomegranate in half, then put the cut side down and cup it in your palm over a bowl. Take a wooden spoon and hit the back of the pomegranate (on the skin side). All the little jewels will fall out into your bowl.

Juiced Up on Pomegranates

The pomegranate is far from alone in being the subject of antioxidant claims. Companies that produce everything from green and black tea to red wine to licorice also point to studies that suggest their products' powerful effects. But one advantage pomegranate does have over some other fruits high in antioxidants is that it is naturally sweet.

Magical, Bad Ass Pomegranate Seeds

Pomegranate seeds are freaking magical. I use them in/on everything. Why? Glad you asked. Welp, they’re anti-aging, fight cancer, help control blood pressure, loaded with nutrients/antioxidants, low cal, & a total superfood.

More Than Just a Pretty Seed

Pomegranates are beautiful, of course, but they can seem more suitable for garnishing than gratification. They’re a bother to open. The arils (the seeds plus their red pulp) are messy to extract, and the bitter white membrane enveloping them wants to hold on for dear life. But the juice is glorious: tart, rich, nutritious, caloric and great in a surprising variety of dishes.

Pomegranates could keep you young

A £2million study has found that not only does pomegranate help prevent heart disease, reduce stress and improve matters in the bedroom, but it could keep you looking young.

Pomegranates: Rich In History and Taste

The word pomegranate is derived from the medieval Latin “pomum granatum,” meaning apple of many grains or seeds. Because of its exotic appearance and prolific seed clusters, . the pomegranate has long been imbued with rich symbolic meaning; indeed, the associations that envelop this crimson fruit are almost as abundant as the seeds themselves.

Potent health effects of pomegranate

Accumulating data clearly claimed that Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) has several health benefits. Pomegranates can help prevent or treat various disease risk factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, oxidative stress, hyperglycemia, and inflammatory activities. It is demonstrated that certain components of pomegranate such as polyphenols have potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic effects. The antioxidant potential of pomegranate juice is more than that of red wine and green tea, which is induced through ellagitannins and hydrosable tannins.

Should We Believe the Hype About Pomegranate After All?

Pomegranates, blueberries, and açai—not a year goes by without the media discovering a new “superfood.” Unfortunately, the boasts of these fads’ advertising budgets are rarely backed by rigorous scientific research—as was the case with Pom Wonderful, whose claims that their juice did everything from increase heart health to help with erectile dysfunction were challenged by the Federal Trade Commision.

The Allure of the Pomegranate

I’ve always been intrigued by pomegranates, ever since I read the story about Persephone, the Greek goddess of spring and daughter of the agriculture goddess Demeter who vowed not to eat until she was set free from the underworld. But she couldn’t resist a pomegranate, and swallowed six of the seeds. Thus the yearly cycle of six months abundance and six months winter came to be. (Although I heard that Californians say she ate only two seeds and Eskimos say she ate the whole fruit).

The Cheap Supermarket Fruit That This Doctor Says Will Balance Your Blood Sugar

According to functional health doctor Dr Mark Hyman, it’s a fruit worth eating regularly. Rich in antioxidants, like ellagic acid and quercetin, it is a rich source of dietary fibre and pectin, both of which can help balance blood sugar levels. “Higher antioxidant intake helps reduce inflammation and combats oxidative stress, which can contribute to the development of insulin resistance,” he explains. He also referenced a recent review of 32 randomised controlled trials, which concluded that eating pomegranate significantly reduced fasting blood glucose and insulin.

The Pomegranate: Effects on Bacteria and Viruses That Influence Human Health

Pomegranates have been known for hundreds of years for their multiple health benefits, including antimicrobial activity. The recent surge in multidrug-resistant bacteria and the possibility of widespread global virus pandemics necessitate the need for additional preventative and therapeutic options to conventional drugs. Research indicates that pomegranates and their extracts may serve as natural alternatives due to their potency against a wide range of bacterial and viral pathogens. Nearly every part of the pomegranate plant has been tested for antimicrobial activities, including the fruit juice, peel, arils, flowers, and bark.

What Exactly Are Pomegranates? How to Choose, Open and Eat 'Em

When choosing a pomegranate, look at weight, not color. The outside of a ripe pomegranate can vary from light pink to a deep ruby red, but that's not what's important; the heavier the fruit, the more juice it contains--which means it's that much more delicious. And because they are chockfull of juice and seeds, they may seem difficult (and messy) to open. Try opening it under water in a bowl: The seeds (arils), which you eat, sink to the bottom; the white membrane of the fruit floats to the top.

Why pomegranate is good for you

Pomegranates store rich flavour in their deep red flesh and crunchy jewel-like seeds – and they are a tonic for a healthy heart.

You vs. the Pomegranate

While the data on the health benefits of pomegranate are promising, far more research is needed to determine what, if any, real benefits pomegranates provide, and how much of the fruit or its juice is needed to have an effect. Meanwhile, the best reason to eat a pomegranate is because it tastes good. The jewel-like seeds are gorgeous and a nice addition to the holiday table. The problem with pomegranate is that it’s really tough to eat.

Resources

11 Reasons to Add Pomegranates to Your Shopping List, According to a Nutritionist

You can think of pomegranates as nature’s jewels. Not only do their seeds—which are technically called arils—look like little rubies that you could practically pop onto pendant earrings, but the fruits also are rare like jewels, too. Pomegranates grow in select parts of the world, such as the Middle East, India, and the American Southwest, and are only harvested during a brief season of October through January. Poms are also precious for their numerous health benefits. Due to their high content of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, they have earned the “superfood” moniker often associated with them. Here's what you need to know about the potential health benefits of these round, ruby-red fruits.

Five Ways to Eat Pomegranates

Post-holidays, most people take at least a passing interest in eating healthier. I know I do, anyway. That's what motivated me to pick up a whole, fresh pomegranate at the grocery store a few days ago—I'd heard that this round, red fruit is a "superfood," packed with antioxidants and vitamins. Never mind that I hadn't a clue how to open the thing, let alone prepare it! That's what the Internet is for...

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Pomegranate was used in traditional medicine to treat intestinal parasitic infections, diarrhea, sore throat, and other conditions. It has been used orally (by mouth), topically (applied to the skin), and as a gargle or mouthwash. Preparations from pomegranate are currently promoted for many conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.