Anyone who is health conscious knows that fact that Pomegranate is one of the most health beneficial fruits that you can ever get. Many include this fruit in their daily diet since they want their bodies to be fit and healthy and also gain resistance from a lot of diseases. The pomegranate tree belongs to the Lythraceae family and it is of the genus Punica. This tree is believed to have had its origin in the Himalayan foothills (India) and Persia.
The pomegranate tree is not so tall. It is around 8 meters in length. The fruit is grown commercially in large areas of India, Caucuses, Iran and the regions of the Mediterranean. A fully grown tree will bear a lot of fruits. The skin of the fruit is very hard and has a leathery touch. While cutting the fruit into two halves, we will be able to find several sacs filled with red juicy pomegranate arils which are covered in white membranes. The fruit is divided into several sections where we find the arils in an intact position.
Health benefits of Pomegranate
- 100 grams of pomegranate contain around 82 calories, which is a bit more than the calories found in apples. It does not have any kind of cholesterol or saturated fats.
- Pomegranate contains a good amount of soluble as well as insoluble dietary fibers. With the help of dietary fiber, we can get a normal digestion and smooth bowel movements.
- While consulting a nutritionist, we always get the advice of including pomegranate to our daily diet, as it helps in reducing the body weight and also helps in controlling cholesterol. When we include pomegranate in our daily diet, our body gains immunity power, there will be good circulation of blood and also get protection from various diseases including cancer.
- The fruit is a good source of Vital B-complex vitamins such as Vitamin K, Pantothenic acid, folates and pyridoxine. It also contains minerals such as manganese, copper, potassium and calcium.
- It contains a good amount of antioxidant Vitamin C that helps the body to gain strength against various infections. Immunity system is also boosted up with Vitamin C.
Storage and selection
Pomegranates are picked before they are over mature. An over mature pomegranate seeds become very hard and they cannot be eaten. Moreover, the fruit will tend to get spoiled. Hence, choosing the right fruit is very important. Try not to pick the ones that have cracks on the surface or those that have bruise on, since these can affect the quality of flavor. Storing the fruit in a cool, dry place is ideal as it will stay for around 7 days or more. Usually pomegranates last longer. If refrigerated, it will stay for a few weeks.
Preparation and Serving
Wash the fruit in cold water and cut the fruit into two halves and pull it apart. Hold the one half upside down and with the help of a wooden spatula, beat the outer cover in a gentle manner. This will help the seeds to come out of the sections easily. It can be juiced up for refreshing yourself or eaten as it is.
Pomegranate seeds are good to go as garnish for salads and lot many dishes. The juice of the fruit is good for preparing soups, sorbets, jellies, sauces and they can be added to cakes and desserts.
If you are planning to follow a healthy life, choosing the right food counts a lot. Pomegranate will make your immune system triggered and you will be saved from a lot of diseases. Include pomegranates to your diet and you can see the difference yourself.
