What are pomegranates?

Pomegranates are one of the most popular and oldest fruits known to man. They grow on a small fruit-bearing tree or deciduous shrub. Pomegranate look’s similar in size to an orange. Its outer shell is of yellowish in color and transforms into a rich red color as it ripens. The pomegranate tree is very attractive, full of white and red flowers and fruits, and has a long life span. The pomegranate is a hard, spherical shell that contains dozens of small ruby-colored seeds which appear to be glittering red diamonds. Extracting juice from pomegranate is not as easy as with an orange. To extract or squeeze the pomegranate juice out of the sacs, the fruit must first be halved and then it can be squeezed out.

Where do pomegranates originate?

Pomegranate is a Latin word and that means apple of many seed. Due to these numerous seeds, the pomegranate was regarded as a symbol of fertility by the ancient cultures of Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The Bible of the Hebrews also records many references to the pomegranate. However, the story of the origin of the pomegranate has altered over the centuries. It is believed that the fruit originated in the mountains of Persia and South Central Asia from where it spread in all directions. Thus, its origins are from in the Middle East and Asia. Nowadays, pomegranates are mostly grown in Africa, India, Southern Europe and United States. They need mild and slightly humid conditions to grow.  

The pomegranate was referred to as the "fruit of paradise" by ancient traders. It was carried by traders, warriors, and sea sailors as its leathery skin provided long storage life and was very easy to carry.

Recently, the health benefits of the pomegranate have become known to the rest of the world and the fruit has become extremely popular. The most popular form of the fruit is in pomegranate juice, but it is also available in jellies, wine, and even salad dressings.

What are some of the health benefits of pomegranates?

Pomegranate juice has excellent antioxidant properties as well as a rich taste.  It is a rich source of vitamins A, C and E as well as folic acids. The following are a few health benefits of pomegranates:

• By promoting blood flow to the heart, pomegranates thus help to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
• Preliminary research shows it reduces incidences of breast and skin cancer.
• Slows the growth of prostate cancer.
• Helps in building the body's natural defenses against Alzheimer's disease, various cancers, coronary and heart diseases, arthritis and many ailments an aging individual’s life.
• Protects the neonatal brain from damage during pregnancy and helps in weight gain of the baby.
• Anemic patients are advised to drink it daily.
• >Naturally protects dental plaque.