by Stacey A. Smith

Created on: February 20, 2009

2009 is declared the year of the pomegranate! Once considered old-fashioned, this fruit is being noticed not only for its sweet taste but for its healthy benefits as well.

The fruit is developed from a small growing shrub, mostly native to the Mediterranean region. Depending on the location and weather, the fruit is in season from either September to January or March to May. The name is a Latin combination of the words apple and seeded.

The fruit is red in nature and berry-like. With the flavor ranging from sweet to sour depending on the ripeness of the fruit.

Nowadays, pomegranates are used most commonly as juices or other liquid flavorings, but that wasn't always the case. In Iranian foods the pomegranate is used as a substitute in dishes for the the tomato. A traditional dish would feature a pomegranate sauce glazed over poultry, commonly duck, and served with rice. In Indian and Pakistani cultures the pomegranate seeds are ground up and sold as a popular spice named Anardana. In America pomegranates are commonly used in salad dressings, meat marinates, a base for wines, ice cream or mixed with yogurt's.

Pomegranates are a great source of several vitamins and help in reducing risk to certian diseases and ailments. Primarily, the fruit is a good source of vitamin B, which play an important role in keeping cells healthy. Also, the B vitamin is successful in speeding up the metabolism, helping to process foods faster and maintain a healthier weight. The B vitamin is also known to enhance the immune system and promote heathy skin.

Vitamin C and Beta-Carotene are also present in pomegranates. Essential nutrients, like vitamin C are important because they help to fight off toxins that can induce the common cold and other bugs. Beta Carotene is a good source that helps to promote healthy vision and immune health.

Pomegranates also have been proven to help reduce heart disease risk and reduce overall blood pressure. This fruit has been known to be helpful in fighting off viral infections and in some cases has been help to fight off dental plaque as well. And finally, pomegranates are taken during pregnancy to help continue good health for the mother and child.

So, you can see the use of the Pomegranate fruit in foods and liquids has many health benefits and tastes good too!

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