by Angeline Oppenheimer

Created on: February 14, 2009   Last Updated: November 12, 2010

Pomegranates were featured strongly in Egyptian mythology, in the Bible and the Babylonian Talmud-symbolic of health and rebirth. This beautiful fruit is filled with flavorful juicy sacs. Pomegranates are rich in vitamin C, fiber and polyphenols, the most potent form of antioxidants. Not only are they delicious, they are also low in calories, making it a good choice for healthy diet.

More and more studies point to the medical wonders of this ancient fruit:

*Anti-aging

Pomegranate juice contains 20% more antioxidants than old standbys like orange, apple and cranberry juice. Antioxidants prevent inflammation by neutralizing those damaging oxygen free radicals, given out during oxidation. Inflammation leads to cell damage which leads to pre-mature aging. Stall aging with plenty of nature-supplied antioxidants.

*Healthy brain

David Permultter, MD., author of "The Better Brain," recommends eating pomegranates for better brain health. He cites the high potent levels of antioxidants as a natural way to protect the brain from damage of free radicals.

*Healthy Heart

Pomegranate contains a polyphenols known as tannin (also found in wine and tea) that can reduce risk of heart disease, lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and reduce oxidative stress on arteries. Studies have shown that drinking pomegranate juice can reduce the build up of plaque in arteries and lower blood pressure. Another study indicated that pomegranate juice is fundamental in helping diabetic patients reduce their chances of atherosclerosis (clogged arteries), which accounts for 80% of all deaths among diabetic patients. Researchers found that drinking pomegranate juice reduces the uptake of oxidized LDL cholesterol.

*Prostate Health

Two recent reports from Harvard Men's Health Watch show encouraging news of using pomegranate to fight prostate cancer.
One study showed how pomegranate extract slows the growth of cultured cancer cells and promotes cancer cell death. Another preliminary test showed how patients given a cup of pomegranate juice daily have slower PSA (Prostate-specific-antigen), a marker of the disease progression.

More and more studies show great promise for this super fruit. It may help protect against arthritis, diabetes, erectile dysfunction among a host of other diseases.

How then can we incorporate this antioxidant-rich fruit in our diet?

*Juice it.

You can choose to juice the fruit yourself. Simply remove all the red seeds (arils) and put them in a blender. Blend well, drain through cheesecloth and drink to your health. Too busy to juice? Buy pure 100% pomegranate juice from health store or fresh produce section of supermarket.

The juice can also be used to bake cakes, cookies, or use as a marinade or glaze.

*Eat the seeds.

Buy a plump-looking pomegranate, half it, scoop out the arils (discard the bitter white membrane) and eat them like a snack. The slightly tart seeds contain an abundance of punicic acid, a polyunsaturated healthy oil.

You can also sprinkle them over salads, fruits, desserts, waffles, oatmeal, cakes, pudding or yogurt. Not only do they make beautiful accents, they add health benefits.

*Spice Up Your Cooking

You can also include pomegranate in your cooking.
Toss some arils into your stir-fry, bake them with your chicken or crust them on fish for an extra crunchy treat. Just add imagination.

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