Pitching for a Pomegranate?
Such a delicious fruit but some would-be consumers are put off by the effort required to actually remove the seeds from their casing.
But there are so many potential health benefits to make it well worth that effort!
Some of those health benefits
Antioxidants - pomegranates are rich in polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that can help protect your heart, kidneys and gut microbiome.
Brain health - with preliminary studies suggesting that pomegranates can help stall the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Drinking a full glass of pomegranate juice daily may also help improve learning and memory.
Heart health - with studies pointing to pomegranate juice helping lower levels of harmful LDL cholesterol - and reducing blood pressure.
- Combine pomegranate juice with a few drops of almond oil.
- Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for fifteen to twenty minutes.
- Rinse off with warm water.
- This mask nourishes and moisturizes the skin, leaving it soft and supple.
Here are some other benefits of pomegranate for the skin:
- Anti-aging - pomegranates can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Prevents acne - pomegranates can help regulate sebum production, which can help prevent excessive oiliness and breakouts.
- Protects against sunburn - pomegranates contain antioxidants that can help prevent damage from free radicals - and reduce signs of sun damage.
Just one word of warning - while pomegranate extract is generally considered safe for use on the skin, some people may experience allergic reactions or sensitivity.
Other health benefits that pomegranates may also help with are:
- Digestion
- Inflammatory conditions
- Arthritis
- Urinary health
You can add pomegranate seeds to your salads, oatmeal, hummus or other dishes.
The white flesh surrounding the seeds is technically edible but is bitter, and most people avoid it.
How to extract the seeds from the surrounding casing
- Put a paper towel under the pomegranate before cutting it into quarters.
- Fill a bowl with cold water.
- Hold a quarter of the pomegranate under the water, with the seeds facing down.
- Pulling the edges back to expose the seeds, use your fingers to remove the seeds.
- Turn the quarter over and pick out any remaining seeds.
- Discard the membranes and drain the seeds.
- Pat the seeds dry with a paper towel.
SOURCES:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464624004559
https://www.sophisticatedgourmet.com/2016/03/how-to-deseed-pomegranate
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464624004559
Written by Jane Chitty
Jane writes for Healing Natural Oils, a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions as well as a range of beauty products. Apart from writing about those various conditions, she also covers general health, environmental and other subjects of interest. She has lived in Kenya as well as Cape Town, South Africa and spent time in San Diego, USA. She now lives in Somerset, England with regular visits from her far-flung children and grandchildren. She is a keen gardener and enjoys growing fresh fruit and vegetables with her husband on their joint allotment. As a result, there is something available to use in the kitchen virtually all year round. Her regular posts can be found on our blog.