Like most other fruits, pomegranates are also full of many health benefits. Yeah, it’s a bit difficult to eat pomegranates from other fruits because extracting eatable seeds from the fruit can be tricky but the health benefits it offers are worth the effort.
Here are six health benefits of pomegranates most of us are not aware of.
- May Protect Against Cancer
Pomegranates are a rich source of antioxidants and it’s a fact that antioxidants help in protection against cancer to some level. The bioactive polyphenols and other phytochemicals are the antioxidants in pomegranates and these antioxidants help protect your cells from oxidative stress and get your body rid of free radicals which are one of the main reasons of cancer. Pomegranate juice contains higher levels of antioxidants than green tea or red wine and if you don’t like these two beverages then .pomegranates juice can be an ideal option.
Also Read: Why healthy eating is important
- Kills Prostate Cancer Cells
Apart from protection against cancer, pomegranate juice may help in killing cells responsible for prostate cancer. It’s better to go for fresh homemade juice than packaged juice as it contains a high level of sugar. According to some recent studies, pomegranate juice suppresses the growth of cancer cells and accelerates the process of death of cells that can cause prostate cancer.
- Helps Against Inflammation
Another benefit of the antioxidants available in pomegranates is that they can cure inflammation. It can diminish inflammation in the heart which may cause heart related issues in long run. People suffering from arthritis can get some relief because of pomegranates’ anti-inflammatory nutrients. Pomegranates are also helpful in safeguarding against neuroinflammation and slowing down the process of neurodegenerative disorders and diseases like Alzheimer’s.
- Good for Heart
Pomegranates are believed to control “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and increase “good” cholesterol (HDL), which results in reducing plaque that builds up in the arteries and confines blood flow. Pomegranates are also helpful to decrease plaque that’s already clogging your blood vessels.
- Makes you Look Younger
Another benefit of pomegranate is that it slowdowns the process of ageing. It’s because pomegranates contain ellagitannins and it converts into a compound called urolithin by bacteria in the gut A. It can help in slowing down the aging process of skeletal muscles, which start to deteriorate and lose mass with increasing age. Urolithin helps in reversing the natural ageing process to an extent.
- Pomegranates are Rich in Fiber and Many more Nutrients and Minerals
Pomegranate contains 5 grams of fiber in just one serving of pomegranate (half of the fruit, when you eat the inner part of the seed), resulting in 18% of your daily fiber requirements. Pomegranates also contain folate and other B-vitamins along with vitamins C, E, and K. Minerals like potassium, phosphorus and magnesium are also available in this healthy fruit as well as protein and iron.
