I f you look around, you will notice just how pomegranates are in complete sight! These juicy fruits are completely indulgent and allow you to have a healthy take on life which is incredibly delicious too.Pomegranates are not only unique-looking spherical fruits with thick red skin, white spongy inner walls, and white seeds individually encased in thick red juice sacs. The juice sacs have a pleasing sweet-sour taste and the edible seeds have a crunchy texture. They make for a lot of people’s favorite fruit, the fact is they are really good for you in so many ways. Let me share with you just how great they are and why you should be having them often!
Pomegranate can be enjoyed in plenty of ways, with the most common being handheld eating. For kids, it is common for parents to just get some inside their child’s backpack as it’s a really good choice which you can scoop and chew whenever needed.The pomegranate is cut open and pulled apart to reveal the seeds and juice sacs. Alternatively, you can remove the seeds and press them to release the juice. This sweet, tart fruit comes with thick, red skin which is not edible, but it holds hundreds of juicy seeds that you can eat plain or sprinkle on salads, oatmeal, hummus, and other dishes. Another benefit of antioxidants found in pomegranates is related to exercise. They help to increase nitric oxide bioavailability by protecting it from breaking down in the body.Bottled pomegranate juice is also an easy way to enjoy some of the health benefits of this delicious fruit.So let me now share some of the major advantages of having this great, amazing Autumn fruit. Pomegranates are rich in polyphenol antioxidants which are a class of bioactive plant compounds with antioxidant properties known to combat unstable molecules that can cause damage to your cells over time. These harmful molecules are called free radicals. Specifically, they consist of anthocyanins, which are a type of flavonoid (one of the two classes of polyphenols). Research shows anthocyanins may be associated with an array of potential health benefits, like lowering blood pressure and slowing cancer growth. Anthocyanins are also what give pomegranates that beautiful ruby color. Pomegranates are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium, as well as several other key nutrients. In fact, eating one pomegranate gives you about 28 mg of vitamin C, which is almost 50 percent of your daily recommended intake.This fruit also provides about 666 mg of potassium. The benefits of pomegranate seeds also extend to your gut. Specifically, the seeds contain insoluble fiber, a type of fiber that adds bulk to stool. This makes stool easier to pass, potentially alleviating or preventing constipation.
Ways to Enjoy Pomegranate
In a salad- thanks to the crunchy texture of pomegranate seeds, they work well in salad with acorn squash and apple.
In baked goods- why not try adding pomegranate seeds into your muffins or banana bread? Believe me, you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
As a juice- who doesn’t love a delicious pomegranate juice. Simply toss the seeds into a blender and add them into smoothies, cocktails, sauces, and more.
With grains- the color, texture, and sweetness of pomegranate seeds pair well with the earthy flavor of grains. Delicious options include wheat berries and quinoa.
