Research has shown that drinking pomegranate juice (made from the fruit’s seeds) improved blood flow, lowered blood pressure and delayed the oxidation of LDL cholesterol in patients with coronary heart disease. (LDL cholesterol becomes even more damaging once it’s oxidized.) Scientists suspect pomegranate’s polyphenols may also help prevent plaque buildup in healthy people.
Preliminary research also suggests drinking pomegranate juice (one cup a day) may slow the progression of prostate cancer.
While these studies are small and not definitive, pomegranate is certainly a nutritious food to add to your diet. In addition to antioxidants, pomegranates are a source of fibre, B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin K and potassium. One pomegranate supplies one-quarter of a day’s worth of folate (a B vitamin needed to synthesize and repair DNA) and one-third of your daily vitamin C.
Add pomegranate seeds to fruit salads, sprinkle over oatmeal, toss in green salads, blend in smoothies, stir into yogurt and mix into muffin and pancake batters. Top roasted carrots or Brussels sprouts with pomegranate seeds. Use pomegranate seeds to garnish brown rice, quinoa or other whole grain pilafs.
Add fresh pomegranate juice to vinaigrette salad dressings or mix with honey to use as a glaze for chicken, turkey or meat. If using commercial pomegranate juice, buy one with no sugar added.
Pomegranate nutrition
Per ½ cup arils (seeds)
(One medium pomegranate yields about 3/4 cup of seeds or 1/2 cup of juice.)
72 calories
1.5 grams protein
0 grams saturated fat
16 grams carbohydrate
3.5 grams fibre
9 milligrams vitamin C
14 micrograms vitamin K
33 micrograms folate
205 milligrams potassium
Excellent source of polyphenols
The Globe and the Mail 04/12/2013
