Pomegranate fruit, the antioxidant of desire

Pomegranate fruit , the food with the necessary nutrients to become one of the fruits with the highest nutritional and antioxidant properties that is most beneficial for our health.

What is pomegranate fruit?

The pomegranate is the fruit that comes from the fruit tree called pomegranate (Punica granatum), it is a small tree or shrub up to 5 meters high and that belongs to the Punicáceas family . A small family of trees and shrubs, the fruits of which have prismatic, rough seeds.

The pomegranate (Punica granatum) grows naturally in semi-arid Mediterranean climates, being one of the Mediterranean fruits par excellence. It also grows in tropical and subtropical climates. In ancient times, the bright flowers of the pomegranate (Punica granatum) were considered a symbol of love and fertility.

The pomegranate can be classified in the group of sweet fruits such as cherries . The pomegranate is a fleshy fruit that has a thick rind that is a mixture of orange and gold in color.

Also, the interior of a pomegranate is divided into several chambers by means of a whitish membrane that contains numerous seeds. Each of the chambers is covered in a pink or red pulp. It is a juicy, refreshing pulp with a very characteristic bittersweet flavor .

It is somewhat larger in size than the apple and stands out for its thick orange rind . As the fruit matures, the rind cracks and shows the kernels.

What is the origin of the granda?

The pomegranate fruit grows naturally in the Mediterranean area. However,  its origin is from areas of the Middle East where its many health benefits were already known. Likewise, they helped treat different diseases.

According to data from our history, the great fruit is believed to be native to Persia, today the Islamic Republic of Iran. They were lands that for centuries were the sustenance of the ancient Persian civilization. It seems that its cultivation dates back to prehistoric times.

It has been cultivated for thousands of years in countries such as India, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia, Pakistan, Iraq and some areas of the Mediterranean Region. Through the silk route, these foods were introduced to eastern countries such as China or Japan according to written data from our history.

After India and Iran, Spain is one of the main world producers of this fruit. In addition, Spain is one of the main countries in the world in research on pomegranate along with Israel, China, Turkey and India. All this due to various studies focused on the optimization of irrigation and fertilization, as well as the quality and conservation of the fruit.

Spain is the largest producer of pomegranate fruit in Europe

Spain is the largest producer in Europe , this production is mainly concentrated in Alicante and Murcia, where the production of organic pomegranates is constantly growing to respond to the growing demand from other European countries.

Pomegranate fruit season

The pomegranate season in Spain is short . The harvest of this fruit and its time of best consumption is in autumn, between the months of September and November . However, some varieties are also harvested in August and December . It is true that the production of this fruit is growing due to the increase in consumer demand.

In autumn we can find the pomegranate in our markets where we can buy this delicious fruit.

You can check the calendar of the fruit season to be able to consume these foods at their most optimal moment. In addition, when they are in season they provide us with more benefits for our health, they have a better aroma and are tastier , among other advantages.

How do you eat pomegranate fruit?

As we have already discussed in other articles on this blog, we recommend consuming mainly raw fruit. However,  we can also consume it in juices, since it allows us to refresh ourselves and combine with different fruits and vegetables.

For granda juice must be careful to not press too hard seeds from the pulp, since breaking can cause taste something bitter .

In order to remove the grains without breaking or damaging them , a wedge-shaped piece is cut from the top of the piece. Pressure is exerted on the sides on top of a container until it is divided in two until its grains are completely extracted. The skins that are next to the grains can have a bitter taste.

These foods are also used to accompany desserts , such as yogurt, or as a complement to different salad recipes , providing color and nutrients.

We can highlight the yogurt with pomegranate granola, one of the recipes for fruit pomegranates that you can make.

It is increasingly used by the food industry, being able to find it in jams and preserves or in food supplements excellent antioxidant properties in syrup, jellies or juice concentrates formats.

Pomegranate juice

The juice can be extracted from the fruit using a manual orange juicer , straining the extracted juice. If we use an electric mechanism or a mixer, the juice may have a slight bitter taste due to excessively undoing the skin of the grain.

We recommend drinking the strained juice , mixed with a little lemon or with apple juice, grape juice or carrot juice.

This fruit is also used to make grenadine or grenadine syrup, which is a drink made from sugar and pomegranate juice. It does not contain alcohol.

Grenadine is used to make different types of cocktails, it is used in different recipes for making sweets or it is also mixed with water, giving rise to a refreshing and tasty drink.

Granda is also used as a condiment in recipes for elaborate dishes, since this fruit can also be dried.

What properties does the pomegranate fruit have?

Pomegranate has various nutritional properties that are beneficial to our health and that can help us prevent some diseases. It has excellent properties, it is rich in phytochemicals such as flavonoids , anthocyanins and ellagitannins .

It has natural pigments that protect the fruit, preserving it with all its properties naturally.

One of the main characteristics of the pomegranate is its great antioxidant power. These foods have a high water content , being their energy value very low .

It is a fruit rich in minerals , potassium standing out , although it also provides phosphorus , manganese , calcium , iron and magnesium . Among vitamins, it mainly contains vitamins C, B1 and B2 , although in small amounts.

Approximate nutritional value of 100 grams of pomegranate:

What are the benefits of pomegranate fruit?

The pomegranate fruit is rich in antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals but we will list some of the reasons why eating pomegranates is good for your health.

Powerful antioxidant

This fruit has a great antioxidant power so it is a natural source to combat cellular aging.

Nutrients for the heart

These foods can help reduce bad cholesterol thanks to the combination of polyphenols they contain.

Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties protect and promote our cardiovascular health and improve the elasticity of the arteries .

Its abundance of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure, also benefits the heart and cardiovascular system .

Benefits for the skin

Thanks to the amount of antioxidants it has, pomegranates help oxygenate skin cells , thus helping to show a smooth and healthy face .

Beneficial for the kidneys

These foods can help clean the kidneys thanks to the potassium it contains. It is especially recommended for diets low in potassium.

Pomegranate is a natural detox

It is a powerful natural detox that favors the purification of our body. It contains pectin that helps the organism to the natural purification of our body.

Recommended for weight loss diets

It is a hypocaloric fruit , due to its abundant water and low carbohydrate content. Thanks to the fiber it contains, which has a satiating effect and helps us regulate intestinal transit , it is recommended to aid in weight loss diets.

May be suitable for diabetics

Diabetics, in general, always have respect for sweets, all precautions are little.

However, pomegranates have nutritional characteristics that make this food can be consumed by diabetics. Of course, always taking into account the amount and the personal situation.

First of all, consult a doctor or a health professional so that he can evaluate the specific case.

Pomegranates for diabetes

Pomegranates, due to its low glycemic index, is a fruit that can be consumed by type II diabetics.

In addition to providing us with natural antioxidants, polyphenols are favorable for type II diabetes. They are powerful antioxidants that improve insulin secretion, among other properties.

Properties of polyphenols

Likewise, we can highlight the following points from this group of substances of plant origin:

They can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and at the same time are anti-inflammatory.

Likewise, they favor the inhibition of glucose absorption through the intestine.

Pomegranate is a natural aphrodisiac

Various cultures have attributed aphrodisiac powers to it and link this fruit with sexual desire, a symbol of fertility and fecundity.

What’s more, a study from Queen Margaret University of Edinburgh has shown that pomegranate juice increases testosterone levels dramatically, approximately a 30% increase, in both men and women and can increase sexual desire and health. of spirit. This fruit is also related to erectile function and the production and activation of sperm .

Therefore, the pomegranate, in addition to being delicious, seems to be the ideal fruit to increase our low fertility rates. Therefore, eat a lot of pomegranates!