Pomegranates were one of the earliest cultivated fruit, according to Pomegranate.org, dating as far back as 2000 BC. The pomegranate fruit season is from October to January, but the juice is available all year long. Pomegranate juice is described as sweet and tart, and is high in antioxidants and vitamins, according to Pomwonderful.com.
Calories
A calorie is a unit of measure describing the amount of energy a food item provides. An 8-ounce serving of pomegranate juice contains 134 calories, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA, Nutrient Database.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Carbohydrates provide fuel for the body. An 8-ounce serving of pomegranate juice contains 32 grams of carbohydrates. Thirty-one of the 32 g of carbohydrates in the pomegranate juice are sugar. The sugar source is fruit sugar, including fructose and glucose.
Vitamins
Pomegranate juice contains 60 micrograms of folate and 12 milligrams of choline. High intakes of folate are necessary during pregnancy to prevent birth defects, according to the Mayo Clinic. Adults need 400 mcg of folate a day. Choline is an essential vitamin and plays a role in cell membrane structure. Adult men need 550 mg and adult women need 425 mg of choline per day, according to the Linus Pauling Institute.
Minerals
Pomegranate juice is a significant source of potassium. An 8-ounce serving contains 533 mg of potassium, according to the Nutrient Database. Potassium is a mineral and an electrolyte. It is the primary charged ion inside the cell and is responsible for maintaining nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction and heart function, says the Linus Pauling Institute. The adequate intake of potassium for adults is 4,700 mg.
Polyphenols
Pomegranates contain high amounts of polyphenols, including tannins, flavonols, anthocyanins and ellagic acid. These polyphenols have antioxidant activity and anti-atherosclerotic properties, according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. It is believed these properties improve conditions involving cardiovascular health, blood pressure and erectile dysfunction.
Member Comments
jmfc2 July 29
Good stuff, I drink a cup everyday