Pomegranate is very popular for its antioxidant content. Here are the various benefits of pomegranate that you need to know!
Pomegranate is very popular for its various health benefits. This fruit is similar to passion fruit because it contains seeds inside. Well, these are the seeds that are consumed. The taste of this fruit is sweet, sour, and slightly astringent.
Indeed, what are the properties and benefits of pomegranates for body health? The following is an explanation of the benefits one by one:
1. Reduces the risk of cancer
Every day, your body is exposed to free radicals. Whether it’s from the body’s metabolic processes, or cigarette smoke or pollution in the environment.
Free radicals can cause oxidative stress which leads to cell damage. Well, this cell damage is believed to be a factor in the occurrence of cancer.
So that this condition does not occur, the body needs antioxidants. This substance can fight free radicals and has the potential to reduce the risk of cancer.
Several studies show that compounds in pomegranates can help inhibit the growth of cancer cells, especially prostate cancer and breast cancer.
4. Supports good bacteria in the stomach
In the digestive system, there are living bacteria, namely bad bacteria and good bacteria. Bad bacteria that multiply without control can cause digestive problems.
On the other hand, good bacteria are needed to maintain a healthy digestive system. For this reason, the balance of bacteria in the stomach must be maintained. The method is quite easy, namely by eating healthy foods, such as pomegranates.
Pomegranates contain prebiotics, namely fiber which is food for good bacteria. Through its fiber content, red pomegranate can provide good benefits for digestion.
3. Protects Kidneys from Problems
The kidneys are responsible for filtering excess minerals in the blood. Well, kidney stones are a common problem with the kidneys. This condition occurs due to an extra buildup of calcium or oxalic acid in the blood.
The active ingredients in pomegranates can help regulate the concentration of oxalate and calcium in the blood. This effect helps you prevent kidney stones .
2. Maintain heart health
Hypertension and high cholesterol levels can cause heart disease. Regular consumption of pomegranates is known to provide positive benefits to the heart and surrounding blood vessels.
“The antioxidants in pomegranates can help reduce plaque buildup in the arteries, increase blood flow, and lower blood pressure.
5. Improves Sports Performance
The polyphenol content in pomegranates can increase exercise endurance. This shows that you last longer in physical activity.
During exercise, certain muscles that work hard will experience damage. It takes time for these muscles to return to health. So, consuming pomegranates during or after exercise can speed up the muscle recovery process.
7. Keeps blood pressure stable
Previously it was mentioned that consuming pomegranates can protect the heart because this fruit can help stabilize blood pressure.
Well, the benefits of pomegranates apparently come from potassium. So, potassium can balance sodium intake in the body.
Sodium is needed by the body, but if excessive levels can cause problems with the blood vessels in the heart and trigger an increase in blood pressure.
6. Healthy brain
Oxidative stress can attack healthy cells in the brain and cause damage. Apart from decreasing brain function, this condition can also increase the risk of chronic diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
“The antioxidant content in pomegranates can help protect the brain from oxidative damage and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
8. Improves the immune system
A weak immune system makes you easily fall ill. “The vitamin C in pomegranates plays an important role in maintaining a healthy immune system. This helps fight infection and improves body recovery,”.
You can get the benefits of pomegranate if your vitamin C intake is adequate.
12. Fights Microbes
For a long time, pomegranate has been used as a food preservative. This indicates that the active content of pomegranate can fight antimicrobials.
The antimicrobial properties of pomegranates apparently come from ellagic acid and tannins. In addition, studies at Advanced Biomedical Research show that the use of pomegranate extract can speed up the wound healing process and prevent more severe bleeding.
10. Supports fetal growth
During pregnancy, pregnant women need more nutrients than usual. One type is folic acid, which is found in green vegetables, nuts, tomatoes, oranges, and whole grains.
“Pomegranates contain folic acid, which is very important during pregnancy for healthy fetal brain development,”.
Not only the fetus, the good benefits of a pomegranate can also be obtained by pregnant women. It would be a shame to miss it, right?
13. Natural Treatment for Diabetes
People with diabetes must keep their sugar levels stable. The reason is, that their blood sugar levels easily spike high or even drop drastically. This condition can cause various disturbing symptoms.
Pomegranate can be a food for people with diabetes. This fruit is known to have active compounds that can reduce fasting blood sugar levels.
9. Healthy skin
Many skin care products use pomegranate as one of the ingredients. The benefits of pomegranate for skin health come from the vitamin E and vitamin C in it.
“Vitamin C in pomegranates helps increase collagen production, which is important for maintaining skin elasticity,”.
He also added, “Vitamin E as an antioxidant can help protect the skin from sun damage and aging.”
11. Reduces Inflammation
Apart from having antioxidant properties, some of the contents of pomegranates also have anti-inflammatory activity.
“The anti-inflammatory compounds in pomegranates, such as punicalagin and flavonoids, can help reduce inflammation in the body and reduce the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis ”.
From the benefits of red pomegranate, you can include this fruit in your anti-inflammatory diet menu.
14. Prevent Osteoporosis
The abundant antioxidant content of pomegranates also provides benefits for bone health.
So, antioxidants can reduce oxidative damage to bone cells. That way, bones remain strong and the risk of osteoporosis in the future can decrease.
Doctor Gia added, “Vitamin K in pomegranates is good for maintaining bone health.”
15. Improves Sexual Health
Sexual health can be one of the milestones in a harmonious relationship with your partner. Apart from implementing a healthy sex life, such as using condoms, maintaining the cleanliness of intimate organs, and being loyal to your partner.
Apart from that, meeting nutritional needs through healthy food can also help, you know! For example, pomegranates are rich in antioxidants.
Drinking pomegranate juice is associated with improved sperm quality and motility. Pomegranate also provides benefits to women, namely increasing fertility.