by Ashley Raybourn

Created on: February 10, 2009   Last Updated: February 16, 2009

The pomegranate has long been included in the human diet, and for good reason. Its nutritional powers were known in the ancient Middle East, where the pomegranate was first known to grow, and became a powerful symbol of fertility because of what the hundreds of seeds represented. Over time this fruit started to expand in popularity across the globe but Europeans were initially hesitant to adopt it at the height of the popularity of meat-based diets. Eventually they came around to the benefits and taste of the pomegranate. Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII in the early 1500s, used it as her personal symbol, topping it off with a crown on her banners and flags. Then the pomegranate became even more global as Spanish Conquistadors brought it to the Americas.

So what makes the pomegranate so special and so long lasting as a healthy inclusion to the diet?

If you are tired of eating all of those oranges to get your Vitamin C then the pomegranate will be a wonderful break from monotony. People are usually most concerned with this vitamin in winter, during cold and flu season. Reason being: Vitamin C promotes a healthy immune system. Because this is a water-soluble vitamin, it will not be absorbed into fat cells and built up through storage in the body. Any excess Vitamin C will pass through your body in urine so it would be pretty hard to get too much from a pomegranate!

Pantothenic acid, or Vitamin B5, will help your body get energy from the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. This vitamin is a great metabolizer of fat and maintains the health of red blood cells. It is useful in reducing stress levels as it helps to produce an anti-stress hormone. Alternative health benefits include improved hair and reduction in acne. Vitamin B5 is also water soluble and is very common in almost all foods, so extreme deficiencies are rare.

Pomegranates are known to be jam-packed with antioxidants, more so than other fruits. When the body's cells naturally use the oxygen we provide to it, they produce a by-product of free radicals. These free radicals can cause a lot of damage but are eaten up by antioxidants. The antioxidants not only prevent free radicals, they repair the damage caused by them. Health problems that result from oxidation are heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

There are many other healthy benefits that are derived from the pomegranate. In addition to lowering the risk of heart disease, it can also lower blood pressure. Because of the high fiber content, it will also reduce cholesterol by moving it through the digestive system instead of letting it collect on artery walls. Alternative uses of the pomegranate can help alleviate morning sickness and soar throat because of the soothing properties it contains.

Now you know the healthy effects of the pomegranate, but how do you crack one of these things open?

Slice off the top of the pomegranate and look at the sections it has very courteously provided for you. Take a knife and cut along each section, then rip out the seeds with your hands. Yes, it is messy. Yes, it is worth it. Eat only the seeds and discard the outer shell. You can also use the juice to create a nice relish or sauce to serve over pork tenderloins, chicken breasts, or turkey, and use the seeds to garnish.

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