Nutrition Of Freeze-dried Pomegranates

Pomegranates are high in vitamins and antioxidants, which give them their characteristic bright red colored juice -- which can stain your clothes permanently while you're trying to remove the sweet tasty seeds. Freeze dried pomegranates offer almost the same sweet flavor and nutrition without the mess of a fresh pomegranate and they're shelf stable at room temperature.

Pomegranates

Pomegranates are native to Persia and grow all over the world in warm climates such as Southern California and the Mediterranean. The fruit is round and crimson colored. Inside are clusters of tiny seeds surrounded by juicy berries. The fruit that surrounds the seeds is the edible part of the plant, but it can be difficult and messy to separate out for eating.

Nutrition

A 1-ounce serving of freeze dried pomegranate contains 90 calories, 0 g of fat, 1 g of protein and 0 mg of sodium. It also contains 23 g of carbohydrates with 22 g of sugar and about 1g of fiber, which is 3 percent of the daily value, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Freeze dried pomegranates are high in potassium with 23 g or 8 percent of the daily value of this mineral in a 1-ounce serving. That same size serving also provides 15 percent of the daily value of vitamin C and 2 percent of iron.

Freeze Drying Process

Freeze drying fruits or vegetables does not significantly reduce the nutritional content of the food. The process involves placing fruits or vegetables -- such as pomegranates or pineapple -- in a vacuum at near-freezing temperatures. As a result, the produce loses its moisture, but retains nutrition. Fruits or vegetables preserved with freeze drying offer a healthy shelf-stable source of nutrition.

Health Benefits

According to the book "The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia," pomegranates have a number of health benefits and applications in home remedies. Their antioxidants may help fight the growth of some cancers. They may also support red blood cell growth and strengthen specific tissues -- including the gums and bladder. Pomegranate seeds are a traditional remedy for tape worms. Despite the many health claims made about them, there is no conclusive clinical evidence to support the health benefits of pomegranates.