Called the lucky fruit, by the Chinese, and thought by the ancient Egyptians to be responsible for eternal life, the pomegranate is thought to have originated in Iran and is now widely cultivated in many countries around the world. The fruit can be used in many different ways: eaten on its’ own and used in cooking, but as well as it being delicious to eat, it also has a huge range of beauty and health benefits too. Pomegranates are filled with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and here are twenty of the fantastic uses that they can be put to:
1. Pomegranate seed oil provides protection from of the sun
Pomegranate seed oil can help to protect your skin from the damaging effects of sunlight. The antioxidants in the fruit protect your skin from damage from free radicals and pomegranate seed oil contains large amounts of ellagic acid, an antioxidant that has been shown to inhibit the growth of skin tumors.
2. Pomegranate provides a great source of vitamin C
Eating one pomegranate a day (approximately a 100 grams one) will provide you with 17% of your daily recommended amount of vitamin C. Vitamin C is an essential component that your body needs for a healthy immune system, and will help you to fight off coughs and colds in the winter.
3. Pomegranate juice protects you from the signs of aging
One of the important health benefits of pomegranate juice is that it can help strengthen your skin and delay/reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. The fruit can help prolong the life of the cells in your body that produce collagen and elastin, the two wonderful substances that keep your skin looking youthful.
4. Pomegranate seed oil can be used to rejuvenate dry skin
The oil made from pomegranate seeds makes a great dry skin treatment, it penetrates easily into your skin, has anti-inflamatory and soothing properties, and thanks to the antioxidant protection, the punicic acid (which is called also trichosanic acid) and omega-5 fatty acids will quickly rejuvenate, soothe, moisturize and breath a new life to dry and cracked skin.
5. Pomegranate juice destroys cancerous cells
In tests, pomegranate juice was found to be effective in helping to treat some forms of cancer. The natural ingredients in the pomegranate juice and extract and also in some of their bioactive components, can destroy cancerous cells, particularly in cases of prostate cancer.
6. Pomegranate juice can help to control diabetes
Even though the fruit contains plenty of natural sugar, it is also a great source of dietary fiber, which can be a help in controlling the blood sugar levels in patients suffering from diabetes.
7. Pomegranates can help prevent cardiovascular disease
Pomegranates can actively help to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood and adds the friendly cholesterol, HDL. This can help prevent high blood pressure and reduce the risk of strokes.
8. Pomegranates can help treat skin inflammation thanks to healing and anti-inflammatory properties
This tiny wonder fruit has great healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains polyphenols and, if you eat the fruit, drink the juice or apply pomegranate seed oil directly to inflamed skin, it will soothe your skin and help to heal any inflammation.
9. Pomegranates can help keep your heart healthy
Another one of great health benefits of pomegranate juice is that it can help protect your heart and keep it healthy. Pomegranates are a wonderful, rich source of antioxidants, including tannins, anthocyanins and polyphenols all of which have been proven to help maintain a healthy heart.
10. Use pomegranate seed oil as a treatment for frizzy hair
To get your dry and frizzy hair under control, try a warm pomegranate seed oil treatment. Apply slightly warmed up oil to your hair and leave on for about an hour, before washing and it will tame the frizz and moisturize your hair. Also, if you don’t have time and you want to fight hair frizz quickly, try warming up a couple of drops of pomegranate seed oil between your hands and evenly spread over your unruly locks, it will help tame frizzy hair, add shine and it’s especially efficient, if you are blessed with massive coarse locks.
11. Pomegranate juice can increase a man’s sperm count
Another well known health benefit of pomegranate juice is that it can help increase a man’s sperm count. If you are trying for a baby, then give your man a glass of pomegranate juice a day. In studies, regular drinking of the juice was found to significantly increase the sperm count in test subjects.
12. Pimples and acne treatment
The underlying cause of pimples and acne can be a problem in the digestive system. Drinking pomegranate juice improves your digestive system and provides a good source of vitamin C, which regulates the production sebum, the oily substance produced by your body that causes pimples.
13. Hydrates skin
Pomegranate juice beats even green teas, when it comes to hydrating your skin. Drinking the juice or applying the seed oil to your skin will quickly replenish moisture and smooth away any dryness and roughness of the skin.
14. Pomegranates can help treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s
Another amazing potential of health benefits of pomegranate juice is its ability to help Alzheimer’s patients. Taken daily, the fruit has been reported as being able to slow the development of the disease and even help suffers cope better with day to day tasks.
15. Pomegranates help your cells to regenerate
Pomegranates help to protect your outer layer of skin and can help with the regeneration of the inner skin cells, and so can be beneficial to help in the healing process and help to keep your skin looking healthy and youthful.
16. Pomegranates help in a weight loss program
Eating pomegranate is often recommended, when you are trying to lose weight. The fruit helps to promote a healthy blood flow, increases energy and boosts your metabolism making it easier to lose weight.
17. Pomegranates are a fantastic natural source of vitamins
A pomegranate a day gives you a whole range of essential vitamins and minerals to help keep your body in good working order. They provide vitamins C, B-6 and E along with calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium, as well as plenty of healthy fiber.
18. Pomegranates are good for the digestion and stomach complaints
Health benefits of pomegranate juice are very numerous and another one of them is that the juice is also a great natural stomach soother. It can help prevent diarrhea, treat nausea and vomiting, and help calm and soothe stomach ulcers. It can in fact be used for many stomach disorders, as it gently calms and settles the digestive system.
19. Pomegranate juice protects your arteries
Over time, your arteries can become clogged with a harmful plaque which can lead to heart problems and strokes. Pomegranates contain ingredients that can help protect you against the build-up of this plaque and reduce the effects of it on your arteries.
20. Pomegranates can even be used to treats hair loss
Drinking pomegranate juice on a regular basis can even be helpful in preventing and treating hair loss. The punicic acid in pomegranates helps to strengthen your hair and make it thick and healthy. It can also increase the blood circulation in your scalp, which improves the condition of your follicles and stimulates hair growth.
