Six Health Benefits of Pomegranate
Do you feel like your diet is missing something? Have you been trying to lose weight, improve your digestion, or just feel better overall? As someone who struggled with her weight for years before finally finding weight loss methods that work, I want to share with you one of my favorite fruits.
The pomegranate has helped immensely in my weight loss and health improvement journey. There are a wide variety of positives associated with consumption of pomegranate fruit, juice and seeds. I’ve investigated six health benefits of pomegranate below.
1. Pomegranate Aids In Weight Loss & Management
Pomegranate aids in weight loss for many reasons. First and perhaps most important – pomegranate seeds are low in calories. One serving (about 3/4 cup) of seeds has only 83 calories, making them the perfect snack for people who are watching their weight.
Pomegranate seeds are also high in fiber, with one serving boasting 4 grams. Fiber is important for everyone, but especially those focused on weight loss because it will help you feel full longer. This means you will be less likely to overeat.
2. Health Benefits For Men
Pomegranate juice can decrease a man’s risk of impotency by helping manage arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis is a condition in which blood vessels become blocked, causing many serious health effects including impotence. It is the high level of antioxidants found in pomegranates that helps with arteriosclerosis.
Pomegranates and pomegranate juice can also help treat and prevent prostate cancer. In trials, it has been found that pomegranate juice, because of its high phytochemical content, helps to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and prevent it from metastasizing.
3. Health Benefits for Women
The pomegranate doesn’t discriminate – it just helps men and women in different ways! Pomegranate juice is very good for pregnant women. It contains important vitamins that expectant mothers need, including niacin, folic acid, potassium, calcium, and vitamin C, as well as iron and fiber.
Pomegranate juice can also help pregnant women by reducing cramps and sleep difficulty. It also helps the baby by increasing blood flow, decreasing his or her risk for brain damage.
For women, pomegranate juice prevents estrogen-responsive breast cancer cells from growing. The juice has a phytochemical inhibits aromatase, which is used to create estrogen, which in excess increases your risk of having breast cancer.
4. Beauty Benefits For Everyone
Pomegranate benefits your biggest external organ – the skin – as much as it does your internal organs. Pomegranate offers all kinds of benefits for the skin and overall appearance, including the following:
Regenerates Cells
Pomegranate protects the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) and dermis (second layer of the skin) by encouraging skin cell regeneration. This aids in the repair of tissues, promotes healing wounds, and encourages circulation to the skin.
Protects from the Sun
Consuming pomegranate gives the skin compounds that help protect against free radicas, which in excess, can cause sun damage, cancer and sunburn. The oil from a pomegranate contains the antioxidant ellagic acid which helps inhibit skin tumors, protecting the body from skin cancer.
Slows Aging Process
Pomegranates slow down the appearance of aging. They help prevent common signs including hyperpigmentation, age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. Pomegranate also softens the skin and produces elastin and collagen, creating a more youthful appearance. Your skin will be firmer, smoother, and more youthful.
Helps with All Skin Types
Pomegranate will help you put your best face forward. If your skin is dry, pomegranates can help, which is why their extract is often added to skin care products. Their molecular structure can penetrate deep into most skin types to add extra moisture.
If your skin is oily or combination, pomegranate can sooth acne breakouts while minimizing the scarring that can occur after a breakout.
5. Prevent All Kinds Of Illnesses
Pomegranates don’t just provide vitamins for pregnant women. Everybody needs vitamins C and K, and pomegranates provide 17 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C and 20 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin K.
Vitamin C is important for a healthy, functioning immune system, as well as fast wound healing, healthy gums, and the manufacture of collagen and elastin. It also enhances iron absorption. Vitamin K is crucial for strong, healthy bones and proper blood clotting.
6. Decrease Other Bad Things In The Body
For men and women who are trying to lose weight, it is especially important to make sure you are keeping your cholesterol and blood pressure in check. Pomegranate lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and raises HDL (good cholesterol).
Many overweight men and women also suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure) which can lead to a variety of problems, including heart disease, heart attacks, aneurysms, and kidney failure. Drinking just 1.7 ounces of pomegranate juice per day can lower blood pressure by as much as 5 percent.
Pomegranate can also decrease the risk for osteoarthritis by preventing cartilage deterioration, and it prevents plaque from building up in the arteries, which can lead to heart disease and high blood pressure.
With so many great health benefits of pomegranate, everyone should try to include more in their diet. Some people avoid pomegranates because they are difficult to cut up and serve, but this video shows you how to do it easily:
Leave a comment