The pomegranate is a ruby red fruit with a tough outer layer. Only the juice and the seeds inside are edible. Pomegranate juice is available year round, but you can typically purchase whole fresh pomegranates in the grocery store from the winter months September through January.

Pomegranates can keep rather well when refrigerated. Place the fruit in a plastic bag, and they will keep for over a month. You can toss the seeds on a salad for a brilliantly colored nutritious addition, or use them in healthy smoothies. Extracting the seeds out of a pomegranate is a lot of work for just a piece of fruit but it is well worth your efforts. The pomegranate is such a nutrient dense food source rich in phytochemical compounds. They contain high levels of flavonoids and polyphenols, which are potent antioxidants offering protection against heart disease and cancer.

Brightly colored fruits are usually loaded with anti-oxidants.  A glass of pomegranate juice has more antioxidants than red wine, green tea, blueberries, and cranberries! Be careful though, as processed pomegranate juice can be loaded with tons and tons of added sugars.  Added sugar is not good!  To get the seeds out of a pomegranate cut it into quarters then place in a bowl of cool water and let it soak. With your hands then slowly work the seeds out and get rid of the membrane then drain to get just the seeds. Dry them out on paper towels.

Health benefits

A compound that is found in pomegranates called punicalagin has been shown to benefit the heart and blood vessels. Punicalagin is the major component that is responsible for pomegranate’s antioxidant and health benefits. It is said that it not only helps lower cholesterol, but also lowers blood pressure and increases the speed at which heart blockages (atherosclerosis) resolve. There’s been some studies that show that pomegranate juice daily actually helps with people who have clogged arteries because it can help reduce the plaque. Other studies show that it can help lower your blood pressure which of course helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.

So try some fresh pomegranate! They are tasty,  everybody like them, and they are good for your heart and blood vessels. Powerful fruits can help inhibit breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, leukemia and even prevent vascular changes that promote tumor growth. For the best anti-cancer effect, eat the real stuff and avoid pomegranate drinks that are overloaded with sugar. You can clean the seeds then put in a plastic baggie and keep as a little healthy snack in the fridge. This fruit is definitely a wonder fruit!  Get on a health kick and be beautiful.  What you eat will shine from the inside out and you will be radiant with soft skin, beautiful hair, and of course, a goddess smile!  So remember, take care of your body always as this inner health will translate outward and you will look more beautiful naturally.