Pomegranate: Punica granatum , healthiest food on the plante.
Name “pomegranate” derives from Latin word “pomum” meaning “apple” and “granatum” meaning “seeded”. Pomegranate is actually a fruit-bearing small tree, the fruit of which is called as the pomegranate fruit. India is one of the largest producer of pomegranate.
Pomegranate (Beejpur in sanskrit) means “with many seeds” symbolizing properity and fertility.
In Ayurveda the root, bark, flowers, fruit and leaves of pomegranate has been extensively used for medicinal purposes.
The names of different types of pomegranate produced in India are Ganesh, Phule Arakta, Mridula and Bhagwa.
Pomegrante fruit has been the centre of recent reaserch because of its functional and medicinal effects apart from its nutritional value. These properties are ecause of its phytochemical contents which act as antioxidant, anti-tumaor, antihepatotoxic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antiviral.
Human trials have shown beneficial effects of pomegranate phytochemicals in skin disorders, cardiovascular health, sexual health, diabetes and oral health.
In classical mythology the pomegranate is extremely conspicuous and symbolizes fertility and abundance.
The fruit was dedicated to Roman deity, a god continously depicted in sculptures as holding a pomegranate, the Greek authors, e.g Theophrastus, describe pomegranate beneath the names of “roa” and “roa side” conjointly Dioscorides, quite expressly set forth the HEALTHFUL properties of the various components of the plant.
Among Roman authors who mentioned the pomegranate and its uses are Cato Censorious, Pliny Celsus and others. Subsequent writers, for instance the Arabs, within the ninth century.
Punica granatum may be a ligneous plant or little tree, 5–10 m high, thought-about to be native of asian country, Afghanistan and Baluchistan, found growing wild within the heat valleys and other hills of Himalayas mountains chain between 900 and 1,800 m, and cultivated throughout of India.
pomegranate juice proven to unclog Artires, lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease.
Pomegranate juice has been shown to decrease the thickness of the innermost layers of the carotid arteries. A study published in the journal of clinical nutrition found patients with severe carotid artery blockage were given 240 ml of pomegranate juice every day for 3 years. Those who did not receive the pomegranate juice had an increase in intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid arteries of 9%, while those who consumed pomegranate juice experienced a decrease.
It’a Packed with unique antioxidants that guard the body’s endothelial cells against free-radical assault, pomegranate has been shown to prevent — and even reverse — cardiovascular disease.
Phytochemicals of Punica granatum
Juice of pomegranate contain anthocyanins, ellagic acid, gallic acid, caffeic acid, catechics, quercetin, rutin.
Pomegranate sedd oil contain punicic acid, ellagic acid, fatty acids, catechic, quercetin, rutin, flavonols, flavones, flavonones and anthocyanidins.
Leaves contain tannins (punicalin and punicafolin), and flavone glycosides like luteolin and apigenin.
Flower contain gallic acid, ursolic acid, triterpenoids like maslinic and asiatic acid.
Roots and bark to possess ellagitannins and numerous piperidine alkaloids.
Antioxidant activity:
Pomegranate juice contains higher levels of antioxidants than most other fruit juices. It also has three times more antioxidant than red wine and green tea. The antioxidants in pomegranate juice can help remove free radicals, protect cells from damage, and reduce inflammation.
Bialonska et al. studied the antioxidant activities of seven urolithins derivatives in a cell-based assay. They have chosen this method becouse it reflects bioavailability of the test compound to the cellular environment and in terms of inhibition of intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species. They found that urolithins exhibited a significant antioxidant activity correlated with the number of hydroxyl groups as well as lipophilicity of the molecules.
Anticancer activity:
Pomegranate juice recently made a splash when researchers found that it may help stop the growth of prostate cancer cells. Despite multiple studies on the effects of the juice on prostate cancer, results are still preliminary.
Amin et al., reported that pomegranate fruits, juice, seed and seed oil act in prostae, breast, skin, colon, lung, oral and leukaemia cancers, through antioxidant, antiproliferation (growth inhibition, cell cycle disruption and apoptosis), antiangiogenisis and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of action.
Alzheimer’s disease protection:
The antioxidants in the juice and their high concentration are believed to stall the progress of Alzheimer disease and protect memory.
Digestion:
Pomegranate juice can reduce inflammation in the gut and improve digestion. It may be beneficial for people with ulcerative colitis, and other inflammatory bowel diseases.
Anti-inflammatory activity:
Pomegranate juice is a powerful anti-inflammatory because of its high concentration of antioxidants. It can help reduce inflammation throughout the body and prevent oxidative stress and damage.
According to Van De Walle et al., the polyphenols in cold pressed seed oil were reported by another reserach group to suppress inflammatory cell signalling in colon cancer cells.
Antidiabetic activity:
Pomegranate was traditionally used as a remedy for diabetes in the Middle East and India. While much is still unknown about the effects of pomegranate on diabetes, it may help decrease insulin resistance and lower blood sugar.
Aviram et al have also observed that pomegranate flowers possess the best anti atheregenic effects.
Pomegranate peel which is normally considered to be a waste is important antidiarrheal and antidiabetic agent in the ayurvedic system of medicine.
Antiviral activity:
Between the vitamin C and other immune-boosting nutrients like vitamin E, pomegranate juice can prevent illness and fight off infection. Pomegranates have also been shown to be antibacterial and antiviral in lab tests. They are being studied for their effects on common infections and viruses.
Burapadaja et al, reported that pomegranate fruit peel compound punicalagin have antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and P.aeruginosa.
Arthritis:
Flavonols in pomegranate juice may help block the inflammation that contributes to osteoarthritis and cartilage damage. The juice is currently being studied for its potential effects on osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other types of arthritis and joint inflammation.
Conclusion:
The pomegranate acquire a truelife-changing power among us in which many eat up the pomegranate for its benefits to health and fertility. It is important to remember that it is not equitable the pomegranate fruit that can have an affect on our bodies, but all foods in general. During our life spent here on Earth, we must make a conscious effort to love the land we live on and treat the animals and plants with respect. Remember you are what you eat, so please treat your bodies and environment with love. Whether it is by knowing where you buy your pomegranates from or by taking the time to appreciate the unique benefits from the pomegranate juices, you can really start to taste the difference. So now with this new knowledge, grab a pomegranate and eat, drink and whatever way to consume it into your body getting healthy.
