Pomegranate juice: benefit and harm

Pomegranate is a plant known from antiquity. According to some sources, the history of it is about four thousand years. There are many myths and legends associated with it. There is even an opinion that it was the garnet that was the fruit, the "apple" Eve was tempted to do. In some European languages, by the way, the name of the pomegranate is based on the word "apple".

Birthplace of pomegranate

It is believed that the "grainy apple" came to us from Central Asia and North Africa. Currently, it is actively grown in countries with a warm climate: Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Spain, Georgia, Azerbaijan. In Russia, it grows in the Crimea and in the southern part of the Krasnodar Territory.

The pomegranate likes heat and sun, it is quite unpretentious to the quality of the soil, but does not tolerate frost below 15 degrees. In our country, these fruits appear on the shelves of stores usually in the winter season, when it becomes difficult with other fruits and vegetables as sources of natural vitamins. Not that they completely disappeared, but their quality is not that.

Fetal name history

In Russian it is based on the Latin word granatus, which in translation means "granular". Thanks to the fact that in one "garnet" contains more than five hundred, and sometimes up to one thousand grains, this fruit is rightly a symbol of fertility.

What useful properties does

Garnet contains a lot of organic acids. Basically, it is citric and malic acids, in a smaller amount are represented by wine, succinic, oxalic. Many in the garnet are minerals such as manganese, magnesium, silicon, phosphorus, chromium. But iron in it, contrary to popular belief, very little - much less than in meat or even in buckwheat.

What vitamins are there in grenade?

The group is small. These fruits contain vitamin C and vitamins of group B, in its bones - vitamin E. The assortment is not too wide, but the juice of pomegranates is rich in amino acids - they have found as many as fifteen names, of which six are irreplaceable and are not synthesized in the body. There are a lot of tannins in the juice of pomegranates, this explains its tart taste. The rind of the fruit is also rich in mineral substances. There are elements such as potassium, manganese, calcium, magnesium, copper, chromium, selenium and other components.

Are the seeds only useful?

Interestingly, the oil obtained from the pomegranate grains contains the same impressive amount of vitamin E as wheat germ oil . The bark also found application in folk medicine: it contains substances that have a helminthic effect. They even use flowers. True, not for medicinal purposes - of them make dyes for natural tissues.

The healing properties of garnets

For a long time this fruit was used in folk medicine. The properties of pomegranate juice are very numerous and are due to its chemical composition. Fruits are used fresh. Pomegranate juice is simply an elixir of health. It was used as a remedy in the time of Hippocrates. Later, Avicenna also mentioned him. The vitamins contained in it have a beneficial effect on the body's resistance to infections, skin, nails and hair. Vitamins E and C also have an antioxidant effect, protecting against the occurrence of malignant tumors. Regular consumption of pomegranates and pomegranate juice for a long time is an excellent way for reliable prevention of cancer. Vitamin E, as is known, has a very positive effect on the reproductive function of both women and men. B vitamins also have a beneficial effect on the nervous system.

As already mentioned above, garnets contain amino acids that serve to build proteins in the human body, including irreplaceable ones, which must come from outside. Therefore, for vegetarians who do not eat meat, in order to avoid metabolic disorders, the introduction of pomegranate fruit and juice from them in the diet will be very useful.

In addition to the above, to understand the usefulness of pomegranate juice, remembering that it contains organic acids, useful for the circulatory system. These substances dilate the blood vessels. This is confirmed by the fact that the pomegranate juice reduces blood pressure in hypertensive patients and, in addition, lowers the level of cholesterol. Thus, pomegranate juice can reduce the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes. Organic acids help increase digestive enzymes in gastric juice. Citric acid, a part of the juice of pomegranates, is widely used in the treatment of urolithiasis, and wine has a beneficial effect on the skin condition.

Apple acid, contained in pomegranate juice, has a positive effect on the liver and gallbladder, so it is so useful to drink this juice for liver damage and alcohol intoxication. Everyone knows how useful the pomegranate juice is in anemia. Iron in it, however, as already mentioned, very little. Perhaps the point here is that the malic acid contained in it helps assimilate iron from food. Therefore, as an auxiliary for anemia, the juice of pomegranates so well established itself.

The abundance of such phenolic compounds in the garnet, as tannins, explains its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, diuretic and choleretic properties. Therefore, with inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract so it is useful to use pomegranate juice. This is a wonderful natural diuretic that can be successfully used to combat swelling. In addition, pomegranate juice perfectly removes inflammation in stomatitis and sore throat. Therefore, it is recommended to use it as a rinse for the oral cavity. Pomegranate juice is used even with burns. Well, we should not forget about the beneficial effects of garnets on the gastrointestinal tract. Thanks to his astringent action, he helps with diarrhea.

Pectic substances contained in garnets have unique abilities. They remove from the body harmful substances, neutralize the side effects after taking antibiotics.

In folk medicine, not only the juice of pomegranates, but also the decoctions of dried peel and membranes of fruits, as well as bark of pomegranate tree. And they find a different application: from the treatment of diarrhea and the removal of inflammatory processes to antihelminthic and soothing agents.

How to choose the right juice

Today, a drink from this sweet and sour fruit can be found on the shelves of many stores. As you can see, the pomegranate juice has really "wide profile" useful properties. But are all drinks equally effective? It seems, it is clear that only fresh squeezed pomegranate juice has such exceptional qualities. In the packaged beverages, after industrial processing, there is hardly much that is useful. And if it is not juice, but nectar with the addition of sugar and dyes, and even preservatives, then all the above dithyrambs do not apply to this product at all. Natural and quality juice from pomegranates can not be cheap. It should be in glass packaging, but produced only where grenades grow. And the juice should be straight pressed. A small precipitate is allowed. If all these conditions are met - you can treat yourself to buying pomegranate juice and rejoice at its positive effect on the body. Just do not keep the bottle open longer than two days.

Pomegranate juice of own preparation

The most optimal option for health is to prepare the juice from the fruit yourself, and then neither in its natural origin nor in benefit will it be necessary to doubt. This is not so difficult, and there are at least three ways to do this. The first is to free the grains from the peel and rub them with a wooden crush through a sieve, then strain through gauze. Another option is to grind the grains in a blender, and carefully drain the resulting gruel thoroughly. There is another way, but it will not be suitable for all sorts of pomegranates. To use this method, the garnet must have a thin skin. It is necessary to stretch such a fruit carefully in the hands, without damaging its skin. And when it becomes soft - the juice from it can be simply poured by making a hole in the peel.

How to choose a grenade

When choosing the fruit itself, attention should be paid to their appearance. A good grenade should be solid, dense and rather heavy. The rind of ripe fruit envelops the grain, but it should not be dry or stained. The place of attachment of the flower of the pomegranate to the fetus should not be green.

Grenades and pregnancy

Based on all its useful properties, pomegranate juice during pregnancy can not only be used, but also necessary. Here it will be just the way and its safe diuretic action, which contributes to the removal of edema - a common complaint of pregnant women, and the presence in it of vitamins, in additional reception which the pregnant women so need. The presence in the pomegranate juice of folic acid - a vitamin, which is known for its positive effect on fetal development, makes it even more valuable for expectant mothers. Pregnant folic acid is prescribed additionally in order to reduce the likelihood of various pathologies. At women during pregnancy hemoglobin is often lowered, and here again pomegranate juice will come to the rescue. In the period of the child's expectation, various viruses and infections are completely superfluous, so one should strive to improve immunity in all possible ways, among which is the consumption of pomegranate juice. But here the main thing is that the future mother should not have problems with digestion. Temperance is good in everything, so certainly you should not drink this juice in liters. At the slightest suspicion of allergy, the use of this drink should be discontinued.

Harm to the juice of pomegranates

Everything in the world is relative, and, despite the unique product of natural pomegranate juice, the benefits and harm should be equally taken into account. Contraindications are usually found in everything, and pomegranate juice is not an exception to the rules. A high content of organic acids in it will inevitably irritate the gastric mucosa. Consequently, with increased acidity of the stomach, as well as in the presence of peptic ulcer of the stomach or intestine, it is by no means possible to abuse pomegranate juice.

The astringent substances of tannins, which are part of the pomegranate fruit, can only harm those who suffer from constipation and hemorrhoids. Pomegranate juice is undiluted for tooth enamel. Concentrated product is better to drink so that it does not contact the teeth - for example, with the help of a tube. If you do not want to dilute this "elixir of health" with water, then you can use it in half with carrot or beet juice.

As for tinctures and broths from the peel and bark of the pomegranate, then they need to be doubly cautious, because in them, albeit in small quantities, contain toxic substances - alkaloids. In case of excess of their dosage, blood pressure may rise, dizziness, weakness, and sometimes cramps.