Pomegranate: Benefits and Recipes
Contents Overview
- What is Pomegranate
- Pomegranate Nutritional Value
- Pomegranate and type 2 diabetes
- Pomegranate and liver fibrosis
- Pomegranate Recipes
- Frequently asked Questions
As this seeded fruit has hidden jewels like red seeds enclosed within its purplish or red coloured rind so are its health benefits. Pomegranate or as it is locally known as anar, can protect you from cancers, heart diseases, liver fibrosis, obesity and many more.
WHAT IS AND HOW TO EAT POMEGRANATE?
Punica granatum or pomegranate is an apple sized fruit that has clusters of red seeds within its purplish or red coloured rind. it can be eaten by simply cutting apart its rind and then pushing the rind in inward direction. this will make the seeds easy to be separated from the rind.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF POMEGRANATE
These values are per 100 g of the seeds of pomegranate
Calories – 65 Kcal
Protein – 1.6 g
Fat – 0.1 g
Crude fibre – 5.1 g
Iron – 1.79 mg
Calcium – 10 mg
Phosphorus – 70 mg
Vitamin C – 16 mg
POMEGRANATE AND TYPE 2 DIABETES
The double bonded carbon carbon molecules of PUFA get broken down in lipid per oxidation by the various reactive oxygen species. This harm is done to the basic cellular structure. Thus, in diabetes various vital organs and organ systems get affected attributed mainly to lipid per oxidation. This includes renal, nervous, heart disorders. These reactive oxygen species are inactivated by various antioxidants found in pomegranate like punicic acid, gallic acid, uallic acid etc.
POMEGRANATES AND LIVER FIBROSIS
Research has shown that the pomegranate peel extract has many antioxidant and anti fibrotic effects. Attributed to these effects the peel extract of pomegranates, prevent the oxidative damage that the various reactive oxygen species can do. Oxidative damage causes obstruction in the bile duct of liver that damage the liver cells and leads to liver fibrosis. Both pomegranate juice and pomegranate peel
extract are good in protecting this job but effect of the peel extract is more pronounced.
POMEGRANATES AND BREAST CANCER
Research has shown that the two types of estrogens namely estrone (E1) and estradio(E2)l mainly contribute to the proliferation of breast cells. Most of the estrone is bound to a sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) due to which only E2 is left free. Thus whenever the levels of E1 AND E2 rises and that of the SHBG decreases, this leads to the development of breast cancer in most women. Fermented pomegranate juice has broken flavonoid and sugar complexes. These flavonoids inhibit the action of aromatase (that converts most of the adrenal androgens to E1 and E2). 60 % of pomegranate juice has punicic acid that also has anti carcinogenic effect.
POMEGRANATES AND HEART DISEASES
Pomegranates have vasculo protective role that means they protect our heart, vessels and blood. Macrophages or a type of WBCs that are a part of our immune system take up the excess LDL molecules. Excessive intake of ldl by macrophages leads to the build up of cholesterol in them which makes the a kind of foam cells. This contributes to atherosclerotic plaques or constriction of blood
vessels. Pomegranates have hydrolysable tannins, ellagitannins , ellagic acid, anthocyanins and flavonoids. All these compounds help in reducing oxidative stress, aggregation of platelets, formation of atherosclerotic plaques (due to macrophagic pinocytosis) and improves the overall function of innermost layer of blood vessels called endothelial layer. Each of this, step helps in regulating the
blood pressure.
