Pomegranate has been used thousands of years as food. Pomegranate seeds have been found in Middle Bronze Age archeological site (5000 years before) in Jericho and Nimrud in Israel. The Sumerians had planted a pomegranate tree under palm trees at about 3000 BC. Pomegranates are very often mentioned in the Old Testament. In the Quran surat Al Rahman verse 68, pomegranates ( Rumman ) called 3 times as a fruit other than the date palm that grows in heaven. After studying a variety of sources of ancient texts, experts theorize that the pomegranate is probably the "apple" that grew in the Garden of Eden. Latin name of pomegranate, Punica granatum , means a lot of apple seeds.
Traditional Medicine
Besides the food, health benefits pomegranate has been known and used widely in many cultures. The use of the most famous throughout the world are as drug intestinal worms (root extract). In the Papyrus Ebers dated 1530 BC, pomegranate root decoction as a drug carrying intestinal parasites, use that continued until now. In Ayurveda (Indian traditional medicine), the pomegranate is called as a substance that cool effect, especially in the marrow, blood and nerves. A century Greek doctor named Soranus-2, early writers gynecology in ancient history, mentions the pomegranate seeds as oral contraceptives and vaginal suppositories, in his work on the five recipes using pomegranates. Other authors such as Hippocrates, Dioscorides, and Ibn Sina has explained the use of pomegranate seeds to prevent conception. Today, pomegranate seeds are still used as a contraceptive of the people in some regions of Africa.
Modern research
In recent decades, hundreds of scientific papers have been published about the pomegranate. Many miraculous effects of the pomegranate has been shown in human studies and clinical trials. If you do not eat or drink pomegranate juice regularly, here are nine reasons why you need to do this:
1. Antioxidants
Recent research states that pomegranates are rich in anthocyanidins are efficacious antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Pomegranate juice has antioxidant touted bigger than "super foods" such as red wine, green tea, and blueberries . Antioxidants fight free radicals that can damage cells. This cell damage associated with all kinds of diseases including cancer, heart and Alzheimer's disease.
2. Protect your heart
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that pomegranate juice to combat hardening of the arteries and related diseases such as heart attack and stroke . Pomegranates prevent the buildup of plaque in arteries and can shed the previous plaque buildup.
Another study in the Journal of Cardiology found that patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) who drank pomegranate juice daily for three months showed increased blood flow to the heart about 17 percent. Blood flow decreased by 18 percent in the placebo group.
3. Lowering bad cholesterol
According to research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , antioxidants in pomegranates can reduce oxidation of LDL (bad cholesterol) in mice. This reduces levels of LDL and raise HDL (good cholesterol).
4. Lowering blood pressure
One study showed that drinking 1.7 ounces of pomegranate juice per day lowered blood pressure, systolic as much as 5 percent.
3. Preventing and treating cancer
Pomegranate has efficacy in preventing and treating various types of cancer:
■Studies in Israel show that pomegranate juice destroys breast cancer cells while allowing healthy cells. Pomegranates may also prevent the formation of breast cancer cells.
■Fermented pomegranate seed extract rich in polyphenol promote recovery leukemia cells back to normal.
■Studies in mice showed that pomegranate juice may inhibit the development of lung cancer and prostate cancer . In a study of 50 men who had undergone prostate cancer treatment, the consumption of 205 grams per day of pomegranate juice slows PSA doubling (the size of prostate cancer development) and reduces the need for further treatment such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy. None of the patients who developed cancer to spread outside the prostate during the study.
4. Protecting the infant's brain
A study published in Pediatric Research found that drinking pomegranate juice during pregnancy helps protect the newborn brain after traumatic birth.
5. Preventing osteoarthritis
Some studies suggest that pomegranate juice may prevent cartilage damage. According to research at Case Western Reserve University , published in The Journal of Nutrition , pomegranate extract lowered the level of a chemical called interleukin-1b (IL-1b) and enzymes that erode cartilage and create inflammation. The researchers say pomegranate fruit extract may inhibit cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis.
6. Of Alzheimer's Prevent
Pomegranates may prevent and slow Alzheimer's disease . In one study, mice bred to develop Alzheimer's disease were given pomegranate juice. They accumulate fewer amyloid plaques and perform mental tasks better.
7. Protecting your teeth
Research shows that drinking pomegranate juice might be a natural way to prevent dental plaque.
8. Natural Contraception
Laboratory studies indicate that the guinea pig ( guinea pig ) females that were fed pomegranate is not pregnant after breeding with their stud. The study also showed that after 4 months of not eating pomegranates, fertility of female rabbits returned to normal like before.
9. Sources of nutrients
The pomegranate has about 40 percent of vitamin C recommended daily for adults, along with folic acid, fiber, potassium, and niacin vitamin A and E.