Pomegranate is a fruit grown mainly in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, India, drier parts of Southeast Asia, Peninsular Malaysia, the East Indies and tropical Africa, along with parts of California and Arizona. However, it has been the native fruit of the region from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran to the Himalayas in northern India. Pomegranate has been associated with a high nutritional value and a large number of health benefits, illustrating the reason why it has been cultivated in the Mediterranean region as well the Caucasus since ancient times. To acquaint you more with this fruit as well as its juice, we have listed the nutritional benefits of their consumption, in the following lines.
Nutritional Value of Pomegranate
Given below is the amount of nutrients in 100 gm of pomegranate
- Carbohydrates - 17.17 gm
- Sugars - 16.57 gm
- Dietary fiber - 0.6 gm
- Fat - 0.3 gm
- Protein - 0.95 gm
- Thiamin (Vitamin B1) - 0.030 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) - 0.063 mg
- Niacin (Vitamin B3) - 0.300 mg
- Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) - 0.596 mg
- Vitamin B6 - 0.105 mg
- Folate (Vitamin B9) - 6 μg
- Vitamin C - 6.1 mg
- Calcium - 3 mg
- Iron - 0.30 mg
- Magnesium - 3 mg
- Phosphorus - 8 mg
- Potassium - 259 mg
- Zinc - 0.12 mg
- Energy - 70 kcal (290 kJ)
Health & Nutrition Benefits of Pomegranates/Pomegranate Juice
- Being rich in antioxidants, pomegranate can keep LDL (bad cholesterol) from oxidizing and thus, prevents atherosclerosis.
- Pomegranate has been found to help keep blood platelets from clumping together and forming unnecessary clots.
- Regular consumption of pomegranate juice is said to be beneficial for those suffering from heart diseases.
- Researches have indicated that pomegranate compounds might prevent prostate cancer and even slowdown its growth.
- Pomegranate juice has also been associated with reducing the risk of breast cancer.
- Pomegranate juice is pretty good for those suffering from diarrhea, but it over-consumption can lead to constipation.
- Pomegranate is said to be good for reducing plaque in the arteries and raising levels of HDL (good cholesterol).
- It has been seen that pomegranate juice helps prevent heart attacks and even stroke.
- Studies have shown that maternal consumption of pomegranate juice might protect the neonatal brain from damage after injury.
- Pomegranate is believed to help prevent cartilage deterioration and thus, keep osteoarthritis at bay.
- Consumption of pomegranate might prevent and even slow down Alzheimer's disease.
- Pomegranate juice is associated with lowering of blood pressure as well as better oral health.