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Of all the fruits in the world, it is perhaps the pomegranate which is most closely associated with vibrant health and eternal youth. The Ancient Egyptians buried their dead with pomegranates in the belief that they gave them eternal life; for the Persians, pomegranates were a symbol of fertility, and in Ancient Greece the fruit was linked with death and rebirth.
Pomegranates are thought to have originated in Persia, whilst its modern name derives from the old French word, pomme-grenade, or apple of Grenada; the word ‘grenade‘ was invented by soldiers who noticed the similarity in shape between the fruit and the weapon.
The pomegranate has a long history of use as a remedy for ailments. The Egyptians used it against tapeworm, whilst in India it is used in ayurvedic medicine for all kinds of treatments including gastrointestinal complaints, as a tonic for the heart and throat, for hemorrhoids, topically for firming up saggy breasts, and as eyedrops to prevent cataracts.
Today, pomegranates are grown in the Longevity Hot Spots Symi and Sardinia, as well as in California where they are a popular subject of research at the University of the US’s very own Hot Spot, Loma Linda. This is thanks mainly to the powerful antioxidant polyphenols the fruit contains.
Here are some of the exciting recent findings about pomegranates:
- A study from Loma Linda University showed that pomegranate extract improves brain function in mice with Alzheimer’s (1).
- A study from UCLA showed that pomegranate extract may slow the progression of prostate cancer (2).
- A study published in Atherosclerosis showed that pomegranate extract lowers blood pressure and protects heart health (3).
- A University of Wisconsin study showed that pomegranate extract may help prevent lung cancer, thanks to its anti-inflammatory effect (4).
- Pomegranate extract has been found to be anti-viral (5).
- Pomegranate extract protects dental health (6).
Pomegranates can be used in a wide range of sweet and savoury dishes. You can eat them just as they are – kids love cutting them in half and picking out the seeds – or add them to fruit salads. They also look good sprinkled over savoury salads, and the internet is awash with tantalising Moroccan, Persian, Asian and Greek recipes. You can also drink the juice and, of course, you can get a daily dose of pomegranate goodness in Essentials.
References
- Hartman RE et al (2006). Pomegranate juice decreases amyloid load and improves behaviour in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s Disease. Neurobiol Dis 24(3): 506-15.
- Pantuck AJ et al (2006). Phase II Study of Pomegranate juice for Men With Rising Prostate-specific Antigen Following Surgery or Radiation for Prostate Cancer. Clinical Cancer Research.
- Aviram M, Dornfeld L (2001). “Pomegranate juice consumption inhibits serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity and reduces systolic blood pressure”. Atherosclerosis 158 (1): 195–8.
- Khan, N et al (2007). Oral Consumption of Pomegranate Fruit Extract Inhibits Growth and Progression of Primary Lung Tumors in Mice. Cancer Research.
- Neurath AR, Strick N, Li YY, Debnath AK (2004). “Punica granatum (Pomegranate) juice provides an HIV-1 entry inhibitor and candidate topical microbicide”. BMC Infect. Dis. 4: 41.
- Menezes SM, Cordeiro LN, Viana GS (2006). “Punica granatum (pomegranate) extract is active against dental plaque”. Journal of herbal pharmacotherapy 6 (2): 79–92.
