According to doctors, pomegranates are one of the healthiest foods you can eat. Why? Read on to see why nutrient-rich pomegranates are worth adding to your diet.
1. Essential Nutrients
This dark red fruit holds several essential nutrients. One pomegranate contains about half the vitamin C you need each day, and it fulfills half of your daily requirement of fiber. If you eat pomegranates regularly, you will have a stronger immune system and a healthier digestive tract.
2. Reduces Heart Disease
Research has shown a connection between drinking pomegranate juice and a reduction in heart disease. Studies, done on mice, show that the juice can actually lower LDL cholesterol levels (the ‘bad’ kind of cholesterol). Additionally, studies have shown that pomegranate juice can lower blood pressure.
Note, though, that pomegranate juice has more calories than simply eating the fruit.
3. Skin Benefits
Eating pomegranates can actually clear up acne, too. The fiber content in the fruit helps to clear up digestive problems, which, in turn, helps clear up the skin. Additionally, pomegranates are a good source of iron. Iron helps the blood carry oxygen to skin cells, which gives your skin a bright, fresh look.
In 2008 a study done by Texas A&M University showed that pomegranates will work to repair skin that has been damaged by the sun. Pomegranate juice has also been shown to help extend the life of fibroblasts. These are the cells that give your skin its elasticity. This helps to improve the skin’s appearance and prevent aging.
4.Kidney and Liver Protection
Another great reason to add pomegranates to your diet is that they can protect the kidneys from toxins. The powerful antioxidants provide your kidneys with extra protection, and they can help to protect the liver, even after liver damage.
5.Libido
Pomegranates can actually increase libido, too, according to a research done by Queen Margaret University. Both men and women who drank just one glass of pomegranate juice a day saw their testosterone levels raised. They have concluded that pomegranate is a natural aphrodisiac that can improve your sex life.
6. Decrease Stress Levels
And drinking pomegranate juice seems to reduce stress levels quite a bit. Another study by Queen Margaret University tested both men and women. They concluded that anyone who drank pomegranate juice showed lower levels of cortisol, which is known as the stress hormone. Try a glass the next time you feel stressed.
7. Keeps Alzheimer’s Away
Research done at Loma Linda University shows that drinking just one glass of pomegranate juice a day can help reduce the build-up of a number of harmful proteins that have been shown to cause Alzheimer’s disease.
All of these benefits are just a few of the reasons to add this fruit to your diet–don’t forget, it also tastes great.
