Health Benefits of Pomegranate; the Miracle Fruit from Heaven

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Health Benefits of Pomegranate - Pomegranate has been used as food for thousands of years. After studying the various sources of ancient texts, experts theorize that the pomegranate is probably the "apple" which grows in the Garden of Eden. Latin name of pomegranate, Punica granatum, means apple with a lot of seeds.

In the past decade, hundreds of scientific papers have been published about the health benefits of pomegranate. Many properties of the pomegranate has been shown in clinical trials and human studies. If you are not eating or drinking pomegranate juice regularly, here are nine reasons why you need to do:

Lowering bad cholesterol. According to research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the antioxidants in pomegranates may reduce oxidation of LDL (bad cholesterol) in mice. It lowers LDL levels and increase HDL (good cholesterol).

Pomegranate is source of Antioxidants. Recent research states that pomegranates are rich in anthocyanidins are potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory. Pomegranate juice is touted to have more antioxidants than the "super foods" such as red wine, green tea, and blueberry. Antioxidants fight free radicals that can damage cells. This cell damage related to all sorts of diseases including cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's.

Protects the heart. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that pomegranate juice to fight hardening of the arteries and related diseases such as heart attack and stroke. Pomegranates prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries and can shed the previous plaque buildup.

Another study in the Journal of Cardiology found that patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) who drank pomegranate juice every day for three months showed an increase in blood flow to the heart of about 17 percent. Blood flow actually decreased by 18 percent in the placebo group.

Prevent and treat cancer. Pomegranate has properties to prevent and treat various types of cancer:

• Studies in Israel show that pomegranate juice destroys breast cancer cells while leaving healthy cells. Pomegranate may also prevent the formation of breast cancer cells.
• Fermented pomegranate seed extract rich in polyphenols promote the recovery of leukemic cells returned to normal.
• Studies in mice showed that pomegranate juice may inhibit the development of lung cancer and prostate cancer. In a study of 50 men who had undergone prostate cancer treatment, the consumption of 205 grams per day of pomegranate juice slows PSA doubling (the size of the development of prostate cancer) and reducing the need for further treatment such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy. None of the patients who develop cancer to spread beyond the prostate during the study.

Protect the baby's brain. A study published in Pediatric Research found that drinking pomegranate juice during pregnancy helps protect the newborn brain after traumatic birth.

Prevent Alzheimer's disease. Pomegranates may prevent and slow Alzheimer's disease. In one study, mice bred to develop Alzheimer's disease were given pomegranate juice. They accumulate fewer amyloid plaques and perform better mental tasks.

Prevent osteoarthritis. Some studies suggest that pomegranate juice may prevent cartilage damage. According to research at Case Western Reserve University, published in The Journal of Nutrition, pomegranate extract lowering the level of a chemical called interleukin-1b (IL-1b) and enzymes that erode cartilage and create inflammation. The researchers say pomegranate extract may inhibit cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis.

Protect the teeth. Research shows that drinking pomegranate juice may be a natural way to prevent dental plaque.

Natural contraceptive. Laboratory studies indicate that the females guinea pig that were fed pomegranate is not pregnant after they were mated with males. The study also showed that after 4 months of not eating pomegranates, doe fertility returns to normal as before.

Source of nutrients. One pomegranate has about 40 percent of vitamin C recommended daily for adults, along with folic acid, fiber, potassium, niacin and vitamins A and E.Tips on eating pomegranatesWhen buying pomegranates, select the weight and not cracked skin. When stored in the refrigerator, the fruit can last up to six months. But it is better to eat fresh.Both the meat and pomegranate seeds are edible. Pomegranate seeds are a source of fiber and nutrients that are good, if you feel comfortable eating it. Many properties found in pomegranate seeds.

So, this is all about  health benefits of pomegranate. What do you think? Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know.