Pomegranate Potential
Pomegranates are just so darn pretty! Getting out the seeds is like a delicious treasure hunt that yields multiple benefits for health and beauty. Its Latin name, Punica granatum, literally means “grained apple” and this crimson fruit may just be another sort of “apple a day to keep the doctor away.” Today we’ll explore Pomegranate potential and the many ways that this interesting fruit NOURISHES LIFE.
Really a large fruit-bearing shrub rather than a small tree, the Pomegranate is a superfood with a long and rich history. Native to the East, it was documented in the Bible and carved Pomegranate figures adorned the columns of Solomon’s Temple. About the size of an orange with a thick, astringent coat, each piece of fruit contains hundreds of seeds encased in a bubble of juice. Egypt was an early site of Pomegranate cultivation and the ancient Egyptians considered them to be a symbol of prosperity and ambition. When the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness and moaning about their condition, Numbers 20:5 reports their complaint to Moses: “Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!” They missed their Pomegranates!
The vibrant red hue of Pomegranate seeds is from their high concentration of polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants to help reduce free radicals, decrease inflammation, and protect cells from wear-and-tear of daily life. Pomegranate juice is estimated to contain three times more antioxidants than Green Tea or Red Wine. Here are some key ways that antioxidants are believed to NOURISH LIFE:
Memory protection
Arthritis and joint inflammation
Heart disease
Healthy immunity
Pomegranate juice is vitamin-rich and the vitamins work together synergistically. As always, I recommend eating the fruit rather than just drinking the juice whenever possible to get the fullest benefits. While pasteurization kills harmful bacteria, it can also destabilize fragile nutrients. With 40 percent of the daily requirement of Vitamin C in just one Pomegranate, it also contains immune-boosting Vitamin E. Additionally, Folate, Potassium, and Vitamin K are other goodies that you will get with fresh Pomegranate seeds. We put the seeds (surrounded by juice) on salads and also enjoy them in smoothies when they are in season.
Enjoy Pomegranate potential! It’s another one of God’s bountiful creations for our enjoyment and benefit. LIVE YOUNGER by giving your body the real food that it craves. You can do it. I will help you.