The pomegranate is a tough fruit to crack. Peel away its strong, leathery skin and you'll find glistening clusters of deep pink seeds surrounded by pulpy sacs. The exotic taste of pomegranate, bitter, sweet and sightly acidic, makes it stand apart from other fruits. Nutritious no matter how you slice it, the pomegranate is hailed as a "superfruit" because of its antioxidant content.
About Pomegranate
Pomegranate, which goes by the botanical name of Punica granatum, is native to Iran. It's cultivated in the Mediterranean region, as well as Afghanistan, Russia, India, China, Japan and some parts of the United States, according to MedlinePlus. The pomegranate was first brought to the U.S. by the Spaniards in 1769. Commercially, the fruit is grown in arid parts of California and Arizona, according to California Rare Fruit Growers Inc.
Pomegranate Nutrition
One-half of a medium-sized pomegranate fruit has only 130 calories, 15 of which come from fat, and 21 g sugars. In addition to being virtually fat-free, pomegranate has no sodium or cholesterol, and it's a great source of potassium and vitamin C, says the Produce for Better Health Foundation. Although you can score and eat pomegranate fruit right out of your hand, most people choose to drink the juice, notes the California Rare Fruit Growers Inc. The pomegranate fruit finds its way into other foods. It's used in jellies, sorbets and sauces, and the juice can be made into wine. One fact about pomegranate that you might not know is that the fruit's syrup goes by a more recognizable name: grenadine.
Pomegranate as "Superfruit"
According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, pomegranate joins the ranks of mangosteen and noni as a "superfruit" -- fruits that purportedly give you more energy lead to better health. Antioxidants enjoy a reputation as defenders of good health, attacking free radicals to ward off disease and provide anti-aging benefits. The CSPI indicates that, compared with mangosteen and noni juice, pomegranate juice has some scientific research behind it to support it as a way to fight prostate cancer and heart disease. However, studies are small and few; the CSPI indicates that more research needs to be conducted.
Health Benefits
Pomegranate has a long history of use as natural medicine -- thousands of years, in fact. According to MedlinePlus, pomegranate is described as far back as 1500 BC as a remedy for gastrointestinal parasites. Pomegranate has numerous historical and traditional uses; however, like the CSPI, MedlinePlus indicates that there's still no evidence to firmly support that pomegranate is helpful for your health. In addition to prostate cancer and heart disease, conditions for which pomegranate may or may not be beneficial include high cholesterol, hypertension, atherosclerosis, gum disease, weight loss, sore throat, hemorrhoids, dysentery, diarrhea, fungal mouth infections and intestinal parasites -- worms. MedlinePlus specifies that it's unlikely that the fruit is helpful for chronic lung disease.
Cautions
Pomegranate fruit and its juice are generally safe to consume, says MedlinePlus. However, talk to your doctor before using pomegranate to address specific aspects of your health. Pomegranate can moderately affect how your body breaks down certain drugs, including those used to treat hypertension; carbamazepine, an anti-seizure medication; and coumadin, to name only a few. Because pomegranate can affect your blood pressure, it shouldn't be used two weeks before surgery.
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