Before we get into the specific benefits of pomegranate juice, let’s begin with an old saying: “Eat a pomegranate and visit a bath; your youth will haste back.” This ancient proverb was printed in a New York Times article way back in 1979. You should look at this as a turning point in modern times. Pomegranate was about to become part of the popular Western culture.
Still, it’s only recently that the general public has begun to wake up to pomegranates power. Many people are stronger, doing things they couldn’t when they were half their age. All over the world, word is spreading like wildfire about how this fruit could awaken the giant sleeping inside you …
Tales of the “Apple of Grenada”
Once upon a time, the pomegranate was widely known in various cultures. The fruit, its seeds, and juice have been known since ancient times. You will find references in many scriptures, including the Old Testament of the Bible.
According to history, the fruit’s origins are in the lands of ancient Persia and the Himalayas. These days, you’ll find the pomegranate fruit all over the Mediterranean region. For the past 200 years, the fruit has also been widely cultivated in the United States as well. It was brought in by Spanish settlers to California, in the late 18th century. What’s interesting is that the name has a strong connotation in several languages.
In Old English, the pomegranate used to be known as the “Apple of Grenada”. Of course, nobody calls it that anymore. Except, of course, if you’re into the heraldic symbology of the Middle Ages. In which case you’d know that it was popular as part of military coat-of-arms and other decorations. The fruit has got another connection with the army.
The grenade, a deadly weapon invented in the Eastern Roman Empire, owes its name to the fruit. It appears it was inspired by the Old French word “grenate”. Others say it comes from the Spanish word “granada”. As scary as that might be, it still shows the amount of power you get from pomegranate juice nutrition. The fact that it has been part of history for so long, proves that it’s earned its stripes over the years.
Why Should You Care About the Benefits of Pomegranate?
Pomegranate is like good advice – you don’t realize how much you need it until you’ve tried it. It’s also quite different from other superfoods. As you will soon see, it has properties that can improve various aspects of your life.
Here is the thing. Many superfoods are effective when it comes to curing illnesses. If you’ve tried any supplement in the past, you know without any doubt that they can make you feel better. In the long term, however, what you are looking for is more energy and less pain. You don’t just need a cure. What you need is to heal!
The difference between a “cure” and healing is very subtle. In this context, when we say cure what we mean is to get rid of the diseases. But, what happens next?
Well, you have to deal with the damage caused by the disease. Not only that, you want to feel better than you ever did before. That’s where healing comes in. Pomegranate has the power to reduce the pain you feel. And, it can help restore your health to a higher level. In fact, even athletes, our society’s symbols of health, use it to improve performance.
Even Athletes Know This Secret!
You may be tempted to think that competitive sports have nothing to do with you. But, consider for a moment how demanding it is. Just think of what it takes to perform with explosive spurts of energy. If athletes can get results, the juice should have even more impact in less straining situations.
The juice stimulates the production of nitric oxide. In turn, nitric oxide helps dilate your blood vessels. This means that nutrients will travel faster to where they’re needed. In the same vein, your body will remove harmful toxins at a much higher rate. You will feel stronger and have more energy.
For centuries, many cultures have viewed pomegranate juice as a symbol of fertility. There could be various reasons for that but one thing is for sure. When it comes to romance, everyone enjoys endurance and lasting performance. Plus, the extra flow of blood can make things much more exciting. Let’s leave the rest to your own imagination…
Speaking of the Heart: Let’s Keep it Strong and Healthy
Your heart is your most vital organ. Protecting your cardiovascular system should be a top priority. You probably know this but preventing heart disease is crucial. It’s one of the keys to a long and healthy life. Studies are being made to discover new pomegranate nutrition benefits in this area.
One of the most sinister ways your heart gets affected is by the build-up of plaque in your arteries. When your artery walls get covered they harden and get damaged. That’s when the risk of a stroke or a heart attack becomes much higher. It goes without saying, the consequences can be deadly.
What drinking pomegranate juice is good for includes preventing dangerous heart conditions. It can help reduce the damage from high blood pressure. In some cases, the effects of heart disease can be lessened or even reversed. This can happen thanks to one of the other pomegranate juice benefits: its anti-oxidizing properties.
When Oxygen Is Not Your Friend
Of course, you need oxygen – without it, there is no life. The trouble is, the normal use of oxygen in our bodies has a side effect. It produces free radicals. These are unstable molecules that lead to cell damage and mutation. The body fights this effect with anti-oxidants.
Anti-oxidants, on a basic level, neutralize the free radicals. Without anti-oxidants, our bodies would get damaged very quickly. To some degree, this is expected. The challenge lies in the fact that modern lifestyles tend to make it harder for the body to protect itself.
Pomegranate juice appears to contain more antioxidants than red wine. It’s only smart to let pomegranate juice antioxidants fight for your health. Now, that should not stop you from having a glass of your favorite Pinot Noir. At the same time, some fresh pure pomegranate juice could be your secret to everlasting youth.
So… What About Joint Pain?
Pomegranate comes with a promise; it could prove to be effective in relieving the effects of joint pain. This includes symptoms of aggressive rheumatoid arthritis. Particularly, it can bring down tenderness in joints and reduce swelling. These, in turn, can reduce the intensity of the pain you feel.
You get relief because of the anti-inflammatory properties of pomegranate. In simple terms, pomegranate encourages the growth of useful bacteria as well as short chain fatty acids. These help regulate your body, including the prevention of inflammation disorders.
There are still studies going on to confirm this further. You don’t have to look far to find exciting reports from people who live in more comfort and less pain. Take a look at this scientific study to see some of the progress.
Smooth Skin, White Teeth, and Even More Youth
Pomegranate juice has found its way to the beauty world as well. It is an effective element when preventing wrinkles and giving you smoother skin. It’s a popular ingredient in anti-aging products as well. The antioxidants properties of pomegranate are the secret that helps you stay younger. You can now find many creams and lotions that contain the fruit. To top that, it can also help you enjoy whiter teeth.
The secret here is to rinse your mouth with pomegranate juice without sugar. The juice contains ingredients that fight microorganisms found in dental plaque. As you may know, the bacteria found in plaque cause many dental diseases. But, you can reduce their effect thanks to the healthiest pomegranate juice antioxidants.
What Else Can The Juice Help Me With?
If you want your body to be at its healthiest, fresh pomegranate juice should be part of your daily diet. The research is still going on but there are many promising opportunities. Here is a shortlist of what the juice could help you with:
- Lower Blood Pressure
- Joint Pain (including relief from symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis)
- Inhibiting the Growth of Cancer Cells
- Controlling Inflammation (the juice has anti-inflammatory properties)
- Improvement of Memory (especially with the elderly)
- Weight Loss
- Increased Stamina
- Better Digestion
- Overall Energy Levels
You still have to keep your lifestyle healthy though. By all means, make the juice your secret sauce of vitality. To make sure you get the best results, combine it with other good habits. Even taking a short walk every day will make it work so much better. The best part is, it works very fast so it won’t take long for you to start seeing improvements.
How About Pomegranate Juice Side Effects? What Are They?
For the most part, there is nothing to worry about. After all, it’s a fruit, just like any other. Yes, there have been a few cases of allergic reactions. However, these reactions don’t seem common.
If you are worried about allergies, you could still benefit from pomegranate juice nutrition. You can choose to take it in the form of capsules or extracts. There is also pomegranate concentrate. However, you should research this further as it’s not the most common way to consume the fruit.
There is another reason why you might want to go for capsules. Processing the fruit yourself my leave your kitchen looking like a scene from CSI. The red juice will stain your clothing and furniture if you don’t open it the right way.
There is a trade-off since real pomegranate juice contains fiber which aids in digestion. Still, with the capsules, you get all the vitamins in pomegranate juice. For the best results, you may wish to combine both.
Remember, if you’re taking any medication, check with your doctor first. They may also tell you more about why pomegranate juice is good for you. Your doctor will also inform you if you should be aware of any side effects specific to you.
OK, So How Do I Get Started?
The easiest way to start is by trying out pomegranate juice capsules. Since it takes some skill to process the fruit it makes sense to start here. As time goes on, you should also try drinking the juice.
You will also enjoy eating the red parts surrounding the seeds. They’re called arils. Arils are the juicy part of the pomegranate. The seeds rich in fiber and a perfect match if you’re trying to solve digestive problems. You can chew the seeds, or if you don’t like them, just spit them out.
You can also eat the seeds as part of your regular meals. To impress your friends, add pomegranate to both salads and desserts. There are many tasty recipes you can easily follow at home. If you truly want to benefit from whole foods pomegranate is a great place to start.
Finally…
Simply put, pomegranate and health go together pretty well. You get everything from antioxidants to the fiber that’s a necessary part of a healthy diet. You will have more energy, feel stronger, and your whole body will thank you. So, don’t wait – order some capsules or get some fresh fruit from your grocery store right now!
Oh, and one more thing. If anyone asks you “What are the health benefits of drinking pomegranate juice?” or “What does pomegranate juice do for you?” show them this article. In fact, share it right now so more people can learn about how they can enjoy less pain and more energy. Let the pomegranate revolution begin!
Dr Wleed Answers …
The Definitive Guide to the Health Benefits of Pomegranate Juice
