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Move over green smoothies. Here’s another healthy drink and all you need is 2 ounces a day. Getting a lot of talk especially concerning benefits to the skin is pomegranate juice.
Although it’s a somewhat tart fruit it contains impressive antibacterial qualities. Pomegranates have been used for medicinal purposes through the centuries. Pomegranate juice includes more than 100 phytochemicals.
Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes and not for diagnosis. More details.
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In addition the fruit is similar to red wine with its amount of antioxidant polyphenols. So yeah, those tiny seeds have super powers!
Consuming the vitamins through the juice provides support for your body’s natural levels. This helps to disarm free radicals while supplying those same properties from inside out.
Since your body can’t store vitamin C (water soluble) you need to replenish it. Consuming more vitamin C is connected with diminished wrinkles on your skin. Pomegranates have the highest amount of vitamin C.
What are Pomegranates?
Pomegranate is a fruit that grows on a shrub like tree. It is native to Iran and Northern India. The fruit is grown in India, Asia, Mediterranean and tropical areas of Africa.
It arrived in North America in the 1700s and now are mainly grown in CA, as well as AZ. But they have been appearing in supermarkets around the world.
The trees need lots of heat in a dry climate and grow sixteen to twenty –three feet tall. An orange to red flower shaped stem towards the end of branches is produced. Pomegranate season is usually September to November depending on the location.
Pomegranate is considered a berry that measures about two to five inches in diameter. About the size of a large orange with six sides of smooth, leathery skin ranging from brownish-yellow to red. Inside it is divided by seven white spongy walls that are bitter.
Long white angular seeds are enclosed by a thick red juicy sac called an aril. These sacs contain a sweet somewhat tart taste. Along with the edible seeds that are crunchy.
The arils of the pomegranate get their vibrant red color from polyphenols. These are chemicals packed with antioxidants.
An aril can be very sweet as one cup includes 24 grams of sugar along with 144 calories. The parts of the fruit that are eaten are the seeds and arils. However, the thick outer skin is thrown away.
The seeds and aril can be consumed either raw or made into pomegranate juice (have you seen these in your grocery store). Seeds can be sprinkled on yogurt, salads, oatmeal and hummus.
Nutrient description for 1 cup of arils (about 174 grams):
- Fiber – 7 grams
- Protein – 3 grams
- Vitamin C – 30 percent of RDI (Recommended Dietary Intake)
- Vitamin K – 36 percent of RDI
- Folate – 16 percent of RDI
- Potassium – 12 percent of RDI
Our first experience with a pomegranate left stains on the kitchen walls and us. It is tricky to harvest the seeds. So I prefer to purchase already done.
What These Nutrients Do
Vitamin C
Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) plays a role in collagen production. Pomegranate contains specific compounds that help stop the enzymes from breaking down collagen of your skin. Drinking pomegranate juice aids in the making of keratinocytes.
Just one pomegranate has over 30 percent of your vitamin C daily needs. However, with pasteurization vitamin C can be broken down. You will consume the most vitamin C from pomegranate juice with either fresh or homemade.
Pomegranates punicalagins also fight free radicals thus helping to rejuvenate healthy skin. This gives skin a soft and supple appearance.
Antiviral
In addition to vitamin C there is also vitamin E giving pomegranate juice immune boosting defense. These can help prevent illness along with fighting off infection. More so the fruit has been shown to be antibacterial and antiviral.
More Nutrients
Along with vitamin C and vitamin E pomegranate juice is also a good source of folate, potassium and vitamin K (great for skin).
You may add the fruit to your daily diet or just take a sip once in a while. More importantly, look at the label and make sure it is 100 percent pure, no added sugar. Or juice your own.
Pomegranate Benefits for Skin
To Hydrate
For dry, dull skin pomegranate juice can help replenish. As a great source of vitamin C it can improve your skin’s texture and brightness.
Cell Regeneration
With exposure to pollution and sun your skin can be prone to damage and pigmentation changes. Antioxidants in pomegranates help skin cells with regenerating by increasing blood circulation enabling it to heal.
Reduces Wrinkles
Pomegranate juice contains anti-aging qualities that help strengthen the epidermis. This reduces and suspends the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Drinking a glass each day will help increase the making of elastin and collagen in your skin. Thus giving the appearance of smooth youthful skin.
Antioxidants
Compared to most fruit juices pomegranate includes more antioxidants. Even three times versus red wine and green tea. Furthermore, these can help in removing free radicals, protecting cells against damage and decreasing inflammation.
Anti-inflammatory
The fruit holds a good percentage of polyphenols which have excellent healing qualities. Consuming pomegranate in any form or applying it topically helps skin heal quickly as well as fight infections. Likewise, aiding with the disappearance of scars or blemishes this leaves skin flawless and glowing.
Due to pomegranate juice having high concentrations of antioxidants this makes it a powerful anti-inflammatory. In other words it decreases inflammation in your body, preventing oxidative stress and damage. Win, win!
Fight Bacterial and Fungal Infections
Pomegranate is helpful against fighting harmful microorganisms. It has been shown to fight certain kinds of bacteria in addition to the yeast Candida albicans.
With its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties it is protective against infections and inflammation occurring in your mouth. That is conditions including:
- Gingivitis
- Periodontitis
- Dental stomatitis
Protection Against Sun
Due to its rich antioxidant content it provides some sun protection. This is against making free radicals on the outer layer. Most importantly, providing protection from sun damage and decreased signs of sunburn.
Pomegranate Benefit These Conditions
Diabetes
Pomegranates may have been used to treat diabetes in the Middle East and India. But a lot is still unknown about it effecting diabetes. It could help reduce insulin resistance and lower blood sugar. Check with your doctor to be safe.
Medication contradictions may include:
- Coumadin
- Vasotec
- Altace
- Zestril
- Other ACE inhibitors
Digestion
A healthy gut improves your complexion. Pomegranate juice can reduce inflammation here thus helping with digestion. This could be beneficial to those with:
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Other inflammatory bowel diseases
Fiber rich food slows digestion this helps to give you that full feeling. Better for you are foods like pomegranate that are fiber rich and healthy. The less likely you’ll eat junk. You know what that does to your face.
Acne
Developing pimples with acne can be due to digestive issues or hormonal imbalances. Because pomegranate juice encourages proper blood circulation in the body it aids to relieve digestion and stomach problems.
Antioxidants help in the fight against acne holding off inflammation that can bring on that breakout. Its rich source of Vitamin C helps regulate the making of sebum (oil) this keeps acne under control. Having a snack of crunchy and juicy pomegranate seeds will be a complexion booster.
Arthritis
Another thing, pomegranate juice contains flavonols. These help block inflammation a contributing factor of osteoarthritis and cartilage damage. There are current studies on this.
Promoting Good Sleep
With its magnesium content it would be a special pre-bedtime drink. Due to the fact magnesium has a connection to promoting good sleep. Good quality sleep results as vibrant skin.
Pomegranate Benefits for Hair
Improve Hair Growth
Just applying the juice to your scalp encourages blood circulation providing stimulation of thick and strong hair. Possibly giving you long shiny locks.
Strengthens Hair Follicle
Because pomegranates contain antioxidants it can make your hair follicles stronger. Pomegranate fruit extract is commonly found in hair treatments. This is especially for hair loss.
Wrapping it up
Pomegranate juice, a superfood of the planet, is a vitamin rich alternative to other drinks. In the United States it is mainly grown in CA. There are many brands in the market to compare.
Regenerating, hydrating and protecting your skin against the sun. It helps with the fight of acne and inflammatory conditions. As well as strengthening hair follicles and improving hair growth.
As always check with your doctor to make sure it won’t contradict with your medication before drinking daily. For diabetics choosing pomegranate juice versus the whole fruit make note of blood sugars every day. That being said it doesn’t hurt to enjoy this nutritious drink and add it to your diet.
Do you drink pomegranate juice a lot?
Header Photo by Jessica Lewis from pexels
