Pomegranate, a gem!

Opening a pomegranate is like opening a safe with hundreds of ruby red gems with powerful benefits!
Under the rough skin of the fruit, the pomegranate seeds are not only good looking – they are rich in vitamins and minerals, rich in health benefits and rich in culinary uses.

Pomegranate (punica granatum) is an ancient fruit taken its origins in Mesopotamia, India and around the Mediterranean Sea.
Pomegranate is mentioned in the three religions of the book, and in the greek mythology.

Jews consume the fruit during Rosh Hashanah because it symbolizes the fruitfulness and is believed to have 613 arils (seeds) which corresponds of the 613 commandments of the Torah. Muslims when entering Spain, introduced the pomegranate and renamed the city of Grenada after the fruit.
Pomegranate, from Ancient time, is a symbol of life, fertility, power, blood, death and sexuality.

A fruit rich in vitamins and minerals

• For every 100g serving, it contains :
• 10.2 mg of vitamin C (12% of the Daily Value);
• 16.4 μg of vitamin K (16% of the Daily Value)
• 38.0 μg of vitamin B9 – folate (10% of the Daily Value)
• vitamins E (4%), B1- thiamine (6%), B2-riboflavin (4%), B3-niacin (3%), B5-pantothenic acid (8%) and vitamin B6-pyridoxine (6%)
• Calcium
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Zinc

Furthermore, pomegranate is a rich source of dietary fiber (20% DV), and contains tannins, flavonoids and alkaloids.

A fruit rich in health benefits

• Pomegranate contains powerful anti-oxidant, fatty acids and potent anti-inflammatory properties.
• Some claims about pomegranate are:
• Helps lowering the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure and LDL cholesterol
• Reduces arthritis and joint pain by reducing the onset and incidence of collagen-induced arthritis
• Fights bacterial and fungal infections stimulating probiotic bacteria
• May help fight prostate cancer
• May be useful against breast cancer
• May help against osteoporosis
• May help against depression
• May help erectile dysfunction
• May help improve memory

A fruit rich in culinary uses

Pomegranate is a very versatile food that can be used both for sweet and savoury preparations.
The seeds can be eaten by themselves, can be juiced, reduced to syrup, added to a smoothie or a salad, added to water, can accompany fish, meat or poultry. Pomegranate powder can be used in smoothie.

There is no excuse not to consume pomegranate!
All the richnesses of pomegranate make it a superfood fruit!

Karine

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