Superfoods We Love: Pomegranates
On the surface, pomegranates seem like more of a hassle than they’re worth. The tough outer layer renders only the seeds and subsequent juice edible, and getting at the ruby red gems always seems to cause a huge mess of staining red juice. Although challenging, the health benefits make it well worth it, this fruit is a nutritional powerhouse and a true superfood.
Why we should eat pomegranates:
- The seeds, or arils, are nutrient dense. Being high in vitamin C, K, B5, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and iron. That surely makes it a tastier multi-vitamin than the chewy drugstore variety.|
- There is a compound found in pomegranates, punicalagin, that has been shown through studies to benefit the heart and blood vessels, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure and increasing the rate at which heart blockages melt away.
- This wonder fruit also contains high levels of flavanoids and polyphenols which are potent antioxidants offering protection against heart disease and cancer.
- Pomegranates are also said to protect the dermal and epidermal layers of the skin by encouraging cell regeneration, helping in the repair of tissues, healing wounds, and encouraging blood circulation to skin that is healing.
- One more thing? Pomegranates provide skin with compounds that aid in protecting against the free radical damage which can cause sun damage, sunburn, and skin cancer.
This ancient red fruit certainly packs a nutritional punch. Here’s a tasty idea, add pomegranate juice, some brown sugar, and a splash of cider vinegar to a pot and reduce over medium heat until syrupy. It will create a sticky and sweet glaze perfect for ribs, roasts, and even ham.
Just to add one more item to the pomegranate’s long resume of health benefits, a glass of pomegranate juice may contain more antioxidants than red wine, blueberries, cranberries and even green tea. Is anyone thinking what I’m thinking? Pomegranate Berry Sangria? Now, that’s a tasty and fun antioxidant elixir.
Cheers!
