in

Pomegranate: Miracle Weapon for the Immune System, Heart and Blood Vessels

The ingredients of the pomegranate lower blood pressure, and are good for the brain, liver, and intestines. They strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation, and can also reduce pain.

Pomegranate consists of many small, blood-red seeds that contain a cocktail of effective phytochemicals. These protect the heart and blood vessels – and have many other health-promoting effects. It is enough, for example, to drink a glass of pomegranate juice a day – provided that it is juice with 100 percent fruit content and no added sugar. But the peel and the blossom of the pomegranate are also tough.

Pomegranate Juice: Good for the heart and blood vessels

Presumably, the phytochemicals polyphenols and flavonoids contained in pomegranates protect the heart vessels from harmful LDL cholesterol. Just one glass of pomegranate juice a day keeps the vessels elastic and, according to the study, lowers blood pressure – this reduces the risk of arteriosclerosis.

Ingredients work against bacteria and viruses

Ellagic acid and the polyphenol punicalagin in pomegranate work against bacteria and viruses. Aphthae and throat infections can be treated with an infusion from the fruit skins. Pour boiling water over the bowls, let stand and drink in small sips. But you should buy the fruit of organic quality because pomegranates are often sprayed and can contain pesticide residues.

Pomegranates give power to the intestines

The ellagic acid in the pomegranate is metabolized by the intestinal bacteria to urolithin. This breakdown product has an anti-inflammatory effect. It can probably also plug holes in the intestinal wall and thus strengthen the intestinal barrier. In animal experiments, intestinal inflammation decreased after one week of treatment with urolithin. This finding could also be useful in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases in humans, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

Good for the brain

The brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress. Cell damage from free radicals plays a role in the development of dementia. A study has shown that the polyphenol punicalagin in pomegranate juice can protect nerve cells. Punicalagin is also converted to urolithin in the gut. This substance has shown great promise in the early stages of dementia. It was found that after regular consumption of pomegranates or pomegranate juice, the visual memory and also the memory of numbers improved.

Protection for the liver

Pomegranate juice has an antioxidant effect – that is, its ingredients prevent free radicals from damaging the tissue. This could have a positive effect on the liver: at least in animal experiments, pomegranate juice was able to reduce harmful oxidation in the liver by 60 percent and help the body repair damaged areas. There is no evidence of this effect in humans.

Alleviate pain and inflammation with pomegranate seeds

The seeds of the pomegranate contain the secondary plant substances anthocyanins. They can reduce inflammation and curb pain. That is why pomegranate juice is recommended for rheumatic pain, among other things. In addition, anthocyanins can block enzymes involved in inflammatory processes in the body. That is why they can, for example, counteract the development of arthrosis.

Protection for the skin

There is a rare but very healthy omega-5 fatty acid in the pomegranate seeds: the punicin. It reduces swelling, boosts the body’s own collagen production, and can relieve inflammation, including in the skin. Pomegranate oil is therefore very popular in the cosmetics industry. A study by Californian scientists has shown that pomegranate concentrate can protect skin cells from UV rays. There are also observations that pomegranate oil helps with skin conditions such as eczema.

Be careful when taking medication

Anyone who regularly takes medication or suffers from a chronic illness should never take pomegranate juice or concentrate without the consent of their doctor. Just one glass a day can slow down the breakdown of drugs in the liver. As a result, the active ingredients can accumulate there – up to a toxic concentration.

Avatar photo

Written by John Myers

Professional Chef with 25 years of industry experience at the highest levels. Restaurant owner. Beverage Director with experience creating world-class nationally recognized cocktail programs. Food writer with a distinctive Chef-driven voice and point of view.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fiber: Good for the Intestinal Flora and Heart

Diet for Neurodermatitis: Avoid Certain Foods