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Interesting Facts about Pomegranate
Pomegranate
(Punica granatum L.)
Pomegranate is a beautiful fruit with wonderful smell. Although pomegranate is found in Thailand, the origin of this plant is Persian (now Iran). In the history, pomegranate is a sacred fruit and is used as medicine since 8,000 years ago. The ancient Persians believe that pomegranate contains all nutritional value found in other fruits. Pomegranate is widely cultivated and its products are well-known worldwide. Several antioxidants such as polyphenols, anthocyanins, anthocyanidins, ellagic acid derivatives and hydrolysable tannins are found in shell, seed and juice of pomegranate.
Benefits on Pomegranate in Persian Traditional Medicine
Pomegranate fruits contain several vitamins, magnesium and calcium, which have benefits for cardiovascular and circulation system. The Persian medical book, which is commonly regarded as the origin of Western medicine, indicates several benefits of pomegranate.
Proven Medical Benefits of Pomegranate from Biomedical Research
1. Pomegranate consists of several effective antioxidants
2. Decrease the risk of ischemic heart disease in mice and humans by reducing lipid accumulation at blood vessel walls as well as preventing atherosclerosis and hardening of blood vessels
3. Reduce the thickening of atherosclerotic vessels and lipid accumulation in mice
4. Act as a cardiotonic agent in ischemic heart disease by increasing blood flow. Reduce the ischemia in patients with coronary heart disease
5. Two weeks after drinking 50 cc of pomegranate juice, there was a slight reduction of blood pressure in 5% of hypertensive patients
6. Nourishing the liver and protecting it from toxins (hepatoprotective effect)
7. The antioxidants in pomegranate juice inhibit human breast cancer cells
8. The pomegranate extract helps inhibit the division and the spread of human prostate cancer cells and there is a research that recommends eating pomegranate fruits to prevent prostate cancers.
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