by Inka Piegsa-Quischotte

Created on: February 13, 2009   Last Updated: February 16, 2009

Currently, there is a big pomegranate revival under way. But, the fruit and its many health benefits have been known since Greek mythology. In fact, it's thought, that the golden apple a jealous Aphrodite threw on the table, thus triggering the infamous beauty contest among the goddesses to be judged by Paris, was not an apple at all, but a pomegranate.

The pomegranate, which grows wild in Iran and India and is cultivated in Southern Europe and California, forms part of the regular staple of Mediterranean diet, the health benefits of which are widely recognised. Here is a list of the benefits of the pomegranate, most of them scientifically proved and others being researched.

Source of vitamin C

Rich in antioxidants which fight bad LDL cholesterol

Stopping diarrhea. Too much consumption of pomegranate juice however can lead to constipation

Ant-inflammatory properties which help fight osteoarthritis and help protect cartilages

Blood thinning properties, which prevent blood clotting

Lowers blood pressure

Might prevent or slow prostate cancer

Helps fighting breast cancer

Helps oxygen travel to the heart muscle and prevent heart disease

Long time use might help with erectile dysfunction

This impressive list of benefits is enough to make incorporating pomegranate into the diet a healthy choice. The fruit can either be consumed in the form of juice or by eating the seeds. Due to the recent hype, store bought juice brands are quite expensive. Here is how to handle the fruit properly and make juice at home.

Cut the pomegranate in half with a sharp knife. Break the halves into parts, then carefully remove the delicate seeds with your fingers, discarding the thin, white membrane which separates the sections. Gather seeds in a bowl. To make juice, just put the halves in a juicer, much like you would handle oranges.

Pomegranates have a very pleasant, tangy taste and the seeds are crunchy. Be careful with the juice as it stains. Try the following recipe to incorporate pomegranate in your food.

Ingredients:

1 or 2 ripe pomegranates

1 table spoon of freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice

1 table spoon of English Bitter Orange marmalade with peel cuts

Preparation:

Open and de-seed the pomegranates into a bowl, catching all the juice.

Add lemon juice

Add marmalade

Mix carefully so as not to crush the seeds. Cover with cling film and let steep in the refrigerator for a day.

The mixture makes a lovely and healthy topping for fruit salads, green salads or vanilla ice cream. You can also use it to accompany a juicy steak or poultry, in fact, a spoonful or two goes well with any dish you would normally use cranberries with.

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