Pomegranates and Heart Health
Introduction
Pomegranates are sweet and sour fruits with thick, pink skin. You cannot eat the skin directly, but it offers an abundance of edible seeds that can be consumed raw or added to salads, oatmeal, hummus, and other dishes. People have always enjoyed pomegranates for health reasons. A new study found that the antioxidants found in pomegranates may help protect the heart. Pomegranate‘s anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties also hold promise for the treatment and prevention of most types of cancer.https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-pomegranates
This needs more research to be proven. The most common way to enjoy pomegranates is to open them and tear the skin to expose the ready-to-eat seeds and a sack of juice called the aril. Pomegranates grow on tall bushes. These shrubs require plenty of warmth to grow and ripen delicious fruit. In Asia, pomegranates are native, but they are also grown in the United States. In California, most pomegranates are grown.
Where do pomegranate grow?
Pomegranates grow in dense, multi-stemmed bushes. We can cut back these shrubs to make them single-stemmed bushes. The branches of these shrubs are thorny and have dark green oval leaves. They can reach heights of up to 3 feet to 12 feet.
When are Pomegranates in Season?
Pomegranates grow best in warm climates with temperatures above 80°F (29°C) for at least 120 days a year. Plant this shrub in loamy, fertile soil and ensure it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day for growth. To grow a pomegranate tree, start with hardwood cuttings or parts of large trees that have been pruned after shedding their leaves in the cold. In autumn or early winter at the latest, one should take cuttings and plant them in pots. Transplant the cuttings into the ground the following spring. Within a few years, the pomegranate tree will mature, flower, and bear fruit.
When are Pomegranates Ripe?
Between August and November, pomegranates are typically harvested. Once pomegranates are harvested. They may not continue to ripen, so let the fruit ripen on the tree as long as possible. When harvesting pomegranates, cut as close to the fruit as possible. Handle carefully to avoid puncturing the skin. But because of their long shelf life, they are usually available in grocery stores until January. However, pomegranate juice is available all year round.
Pomegranate Seeds
The term pomegranate comes from the Latin pomum grantum, which roughly translates to “seeded apple.” The name is appropriate because the pomegranate is divided into several chambers under its leathery skin. Each chamber filled with hundreds of red seeds. Botanically, these seeds are called aril. The seed nucleus is the fleshy, visible tissue that covers the pomegranate seed. When this shell is damaged, the seeds form a red, juicy pulp.
Can We Eat Pomegranate Seeds?
If the fruit’s skin isn’t necessarily suitable for consumption. We can juice pomegranate seeds or eat them whole in salads, muesli, and yogurt.
How to Open a Pomegranate?
To open it, at first, cut off both ends. You can see the membrane that separates the inside of the fruit. Make an incision in the skin along this ridge from the head down.
Next, cut the pomegranate deep enough to cut through the skin and white membrane without cutting through the pomegranate seeds. Place the pomegranate over a bowl of water and try it open with your hands.
Pull the seeds away from the membrane and shell and drop them into a bowl of water. The membrane slides to the surface of the water and the seeds sink to the bottom. Remove and discard the membrane. Drain the water from the seeds.
How to juice pomegranates?
You can squeeze the pomegranate seeds to make juice. A huge pomegranate will yield between 1/four and half of a cup of juice. To extract the juice, overwhelm the seeds in a food mill or sieve. You could additionally mix the seeds. Then pour the liquefied combination through a strainer to get rid of any leftover pulp from the juice. You can freeze it or can the juice to make it longer storage. If you pick out to can it. Add some tablespoons of lemon juice to it earlier than sealing the can to preserve the juice’s colorful color.
What does pomegranate taste like?
Remove the seeds from the pomegranate and squeeze it to release the juice. Pomegranate juice is especially popular in Asia. It is also popular in other countries. Bottled pomegranate juice is an easy way to enjoy the health benefits of this delicious fruit having a sweet and sour taste.
Pomegranate Tea
Pomegranate tea is made by adding crushed pomegranate seeds, dried pomegranate flowers, or pomegranate juice. You can make this tea yourself by purchasing or growing pomegranates. You can purchase it in the tea section of most grocery stores. When purchased ready-made, it is often combined with mint, black tea, or green tea.
Pomegranate Tea Vitamins
One cup of brewed pomegranate tea carries:
- Energy: 6
- Protein: 0 grams
- Fats: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 1 gram
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Sugar: 0 grams
Pomegranate juice and tea are rich in nutrients. Compounds found in pomegranate seeds—punicalagin and punicic acid—are extraordinarily amazing antioxidants.
Other Pomegranate beverages
Pomegranate juice can brighten any cocktail, consisting of:
- Pomegranate martini
Upload pomegranate juice, sparkling water, and a squeeze of lemon to an ice-filled martini shaker. Mix it and serve chilled in a glass.
- Pomegranate margarita
Blend tequila, pomegranate juice, lime juice, agave, and salt in an ice-crammed cocktail shaker. Pour the entire amount into a glass with ice and enjoy. Skip the alcohol to enjoy delicious cocktail versions of both drinks.
Benefits of Pomegranates
Pomegranate contains up to several times more antioxidants than green tea or rosé wine. Antioxidants lessen inflammation and protect cells against free radical damage. The various health benefits of pomegranate are:
Improve Heart Health
Research shows that pomegranates can help protect your heart in several ways. It can protect by lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Pomegranates have polyphenol compounds referred to as punicalagin or ellagitannins. These antioxidants assist in preventing your artery walls from thickening. It can decrease the buildup of LDL cholesterol and plaque. Pomegranate juice additionally has high amounts of plant pigments referred to as anthocyanins and anthoxanthins. Which helps precise heart health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3678830/
Atherosclerosis, the buildup of cholesterol and fat within the arteries, is a not unusual motive for coronary heart sickness. Pomegranate juice can help to reduce LDL cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol, as it clogs arteries. It also increases HDL cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol. Which reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Advanced diabetes is manipulated
Early research suggests that people with type 2 diabetes started drinking pomegranate juice. They improved their insulin resistance. Moreover, further studies are required to confirm these results.
May Reduce Cancer Risk
Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants and flavonoids. These help prevent free radicals from destroying cells. Some early research shows that pomegranates may help prevent prostate, breast, lung, and colon cancer. Additionally, preclinical animal studies have shown that pomegranate consumption may help suppress the growth of tumors in the lungs, skin, colon, and prostate. More extensive research is needed to better understand these effects on humans.
Pomegranate Nutrients
Clean pomegranates are a source of fiber that promotes weight loss, lowers LDL cholesterol levels, and relieves constipation. Nutrients according to intake
Half a pomegranate (1 serving) contains:
- Energy: 72
- Protein: 2.35g
- Fat: 1.6 grams
- Carbohydrates: 26 grams
- Fiber: 5, 5 grams
- Sugar: 20 grams
8 Ounces of pomegranate juice contains:
- Calories: 135
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: Zero grams
- Carbohydrates: 34 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Sugar: 30 grams
- Sodium: 10 grams
Although pomegranates lose much of the dietary C content when juiced. They contain almost all of the potassium, about 536 mg. Potassium is an important mineral that keeps your nerves and heart strong. Enjoying glistening pomegranates and their juice will give you plenty of this important mineral. Some pomegranate-flavored drinks contain more sugar and therefore extra calories than natural pomegranate juice. To get the health benefits of pomegranate without the extra energy. Look for bottles labeled “100% juice.”
Danger of Pomegranates and Pomegranates Juice Capacity
Pomegranates are generally safe to consume. But some human beings may additionally get undesirable aspect outcomes. An allergy to pomegranate is rare however can appear. If you have an allergy to flowers. Look ahead to viable signs, that may consist of hives or stricken respiratory.
Pomegranates can also interact with some drugs and medicinal drugs. You can check along with your physician or restrict your intake of pomegranate if you`re taking such medications as:
- ACE inhibitors or different pills for excessive blood stress
- Other drugs for excessive LDL cholesterol which could destroy down to your liver
- Blood thinners together with warfarin (Coumadin)
A way to consume Pomegranate
You could effortlessly add pomegranate into your diet by way of:
- Adding the seeds to a quinoa salad with different fresh culmination and vegetables
- Mixing pomegranate seeds into yogurt with granola to make it unique
- Giving your salad a pop with the aid of adding pomegranate seeds
- You can make a smoothie by blending pomegranate juice with bananas and yogurt
- Blending pomegranate juice, rice vinegar, oil, garlic, and white sugar to make a salad dressing
Pomegranate Molasses
Pomegranate molasses is a syrup made by boiling down pomegranate juice, every so often with introduced lemon juice and sugar. You can use it to marinate meat and make salad dressings. It is a popular ingredient in West Asian cuisine.
