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What is pomegranate?
Pomegranate is the name of an arboreal plant of the Punicacee family, Genus Punica and species g ranatum ; in common parlance, pomegranate is also used as a synonym for pomegranate, or the fruit produced by it.
The pomegranate fruit belongs to the VI and VII fundamental group of foods - foods rich in vitamin A, foods rich in vitamin C. It is also rich in water, fiber, fructose, mineral salts and non-vitamin antioxidants - for example of phenolic nature. As we will see in the next paragraphs, the fruits of the pomegranate have recently been attributed to miraculous antioxidant properties; in a reckless manner, there are those who have even labeled them "anti-cancer fruits".
Certainly it is no coincidence that, in the weights of origin, the pomegranate fruits have acquired an esoteric, almost magical meaning. They appear in the texts of many cultures of antiquity, with both sacred and medical references.
Did you know that ...
One of the legends about it tells that the pomegranate was a prodigy of Mother Nature, from which everything originated and in which everything will end. Numerous ancient cultures - Greek, Jewish, Christian and Babylonian - attracted by the very particular fruit, considered it a real miracle, almost an earthly testimony of the higher entities. These beliefs were even more reinforced by the plant's obvious tenacity and survival to hostility. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, evaluated the pomegranate fruit in his studies, praising the medicinal virtues, really deepened only by contemporary official science.
Pomegranates lend themselves to the customary diet of all healthy subjects; any contraindications to use are to be referred almost exclusively to metabolic pathologies with a very strong genetic base, related to obesity or in any case pre-existing.
Pomegranates are eaten mainly raw. Being difficult to peel, many prefer to drink the liquid extracted from the pulp, fresh or preserved, which is called pomegranate juice or pomegranate juice. On the market there are numerous devices, not only professional but also for domestic use, manual or electric, which correspond to the name of "pomegranate squeezer". The liquid can also be used for more elaborate recipes, or even to produce alcoholic beverages.
Did you know that ...
The common name "apple-wheat" has its roots in the ancient Latin "malum" and "granatum", terms that in Italian refer respectively to the words "apple" and "with seeds". The literal translation "apple with seeds" fully expresses the structural characteristics of the pomegranate, although it certainly cannot be said that it resembles deeply a pome.
How to shell the pomegranate easily
X Problems with video playback? Reload from YouTube Go to Video Page Go to Video Recipes Section Watch the video on youtubePomegranate trees originate from the area between the Middle East and the Indian sub continent - including the Himalayan range. They do not exclusively function as fruit plants and are also widely used for ornamental purposes. Although only a few types of pomegranate are known and spread in Italy, there are many - even quite different from each other.
Not everyone knows that the woody portion of the pomegranate, especially the bark, contains toxic active ingredients to avoid.
Nutritional Properties
Nutritional properties of pomegranate
The fruits of the pomegranate fall into both the VI and the VII fundamental group of foods - foods rich in vitamin E and provitamin A, and rich in vitamin C - with greater relevance than the second compared to the first.
Pomegranate arils bring an average low amount of energy, or 52-60 kcal per 100 grams of product. They are rich in water (80% of the weight) while the remaining part (20%) is divided between sugars (13%), fibers (3-4%), proteins (1%) and lipids (0.5-1% ). Carbohydrates tend to be simple / soluble, consisting of fructose; proteins have low biological value and lipids should be characterized by a prevalence of unsaturated fatty acids on saturated.
The pomegranate fruit does not bring cholesterol; in its place, different phytoelements of a steroid nature can be identified - called phytosterols. Lactose, gluten and histamine do not appear. Both purines and the amino acid phenylalanine are very contained.
Pomegranate is a source of minerals, especially potassium (250 mg / 100 g of edible portion) and phosphorus (22 mg / 100 g), but good quantities of sodium, magnesium and iron are also observed - although not very bioavailable - while zinc, manganese and copper are present in traces. The pomegranate is quite rich in vitamin C or ascorbic acid (20 mg / 100 g of product) and contains a reasonable level of provitamin A (retinol equivalent - RAE).
| Nutritious | Quantity' |
| water | 77.93 g |
| Protein | 1.67 g |
| Lipids | 1.17 g |
| Saturated fatty acids | 0.12 g |
| Monounsaturated Fatty Acids | 0.09 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids | 0.08 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.0 mg |
| TOT Carbohydrates | 18.7 g |
| Starch / Glycogen | - g |
| Soluble Sugar | 13.67 g |
| Food fiber | 4.0 g |
| Soluble | - g |
| Insoluble | - g |
| Power | 83.0 kcal |
| Sodium | 3.0 mg |
| Potassium | 236.0 mg |
| Iron | 4.2 mg |
| Football | 10.0 mg |
| Phosphorus | 36.0 mg |
| Magnesium | - mg |
| Zinc | 0.35 mg |
| Copper | - mg |
| Selenium | - mcg |
| Thiamine or vitamin B1 | 0.07 mg |
| Riboflavin or vitamin B2 | 0.05 mg |
| Niacin or vitamin PP | 0.29 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.08 mg |
| folate | 38.0 mcg |
| Vitamin B12 | - mcg |
| Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid | 10.2 mg |
| Vitamin A or RAE | 15.0 mcg |
| Vitamin D | - IU |
| Vitamin K | - mcg |
| Vitamin E or Alpha Tocopherol | - mg |
Diet
Pomegranate in the diet
Pomegranate fruits lend themselves to most diets. All healthy people can consume pomegranate in portions and with frequency recommended for fresh fruit.
Obviously, obese or sick people are an exception. The pomegranate, while not containing excessive levels of calories, must nevertheless be limited - especially in the form of juice or juice - in the diet against obesity. Not only that, mainly bringing fructose, too much pomegranate could harm those who suffer from type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertriglyceridemia. On the other hand, this food is also rich in polyphenols and antioxidant vitamins, which is why it can be a good ally against oxidative stress and in nutritional therapy to improve cholesterolemia.
The presence of fibers helps to prevent and treat constipation, in addition to modulating intestinal absorption - reduction of fat absorption, slowing of sugar uptake - and improving the sense of gastric fullness - in relation to the latter, it is also it is necessary to remember that fructose represents the less effective glucose in the metabolic stimulus of satiety. Let us not forget that constipation is related to a greater risk of onset of: haemorrhoids, anal fissures, anal prolapse, diverticulosis, diverticulitis and large intestine cancer.
It has no contraindications for celiac disease, for lactose and histamine intolerance - it is not even histamine-free. Although it does not carry significant quantities of purines, in hyperuricemia it is still to be taken in reasonable portions; excess fructose can hinder the disposal of uric acid in the urine. It has no contraindication in the nutritional therapy of phenylketonuria.
Good source of water and potassium - alkalizing mineral involved in muscle excitability, with a modulating function on blood pressure - pomegranate is recommended in the diet of those who lose a lot of fluids, especially in conditions of high motor activity. It is therefore the case of sportsmen and athletes, but also those at risk of dehydration - like the elderly.
As anticipated, RAE and ascorbic acid are powerful antioxidants. Moreover, provitamin A represents a precursor of retinol (vit A), necessary for visual and reproductive function, for cellular differentiation and not only; vitamin C, on the other hand, is involved in the immune system and is essential for collagen synthesis.
Pomegranates lend themselves to all vegetarian and vegan diets, and to all religious diets.
The average portion of pomegranate is 100-200 g of edible portion.
Property
Pomegranate properties
For too long now there has been discussion about the alleged properties of the pomegranate fruit: among the various hypotheses, some have actually been demonstrated, others, however, still remain an unknown quantity. Below, we will summarize the virtues properly ascribed to the pomegranate:
- Astringent properties: in the bark, in the flowers and in the pomegranate exocarp there is a conspicuous amount of tannins (estimated at around 28%, including gallic and ellagic acid), whose properties are useful in case of vaginal and intestinal bleeding [tract from Reasoned Dictionary of Herbal Medicine and Phytotherapy, by A. Bruni]
- Anti-diarrheal properties: the powder obtained from the dried peel of pomegranates is rich in tannins and, used in decoction, lends itself to counteract diarrhea
- Vermifuge and anthelmintic properties: in the pomegranate bark it has been observed that the pellettierina (alkaloid molecule) acts with a paralyzing effect, specifically against the tapeworm
- Ability to preserve lipid oxidation: the oil obtained from pomegranate seeds and the juice have good antioxidant properties
- Gastro-protective properties: medicinal virtue demonstrated only in the animal model; the pomegranate extract seems to exert these properties in particular against damage due to ethanol. [taken from Dizionario di fitoterapie e medicinal plants, by Enrica Campanini]
- Refreshing properties of the gums: the infusion prepared with the petals of the pomegranate flowers is very useful to refresh the oral cavity, gums in particular
- Diuretic properties: the seeds have diuretic virtues, albeit very mild
- Aromatic properties: made from the bark of pomegranates. The intense aroma emanating from the skins of the fruits is exploited for the preparation of excellent liqueurs and aperitifs
- Antioxidant properties: due to the presence of numerous polyphenols and vitamin C
- Potential antithrombotic, antiallergic, vaso-protective and gastro-protective properties, virtues hypothetically rendered by flavonoids.
Toxicity
Pomegranate toxicity
Although the pomegranate appears, at first glance, as a harmless fruit, in reality it can constitute a danger to the health of those who consume it. The cases of pomegranate intoxication are all attributable to the excessive administration of active ingredients obtained from the bark: drowsiness, headache, dizziness, respiratory difficulty are the most recurrent side effects following the immoderate use of pomegranate bark extract.
Pomegranate and Cancer
Is Pomegranate an Anticancer Fruit?
The pomegranate falls into the category of possible anti-cancer fruits.
The theoretically anticarcinogenic activity would be attributable to ellagic acid, theoretically able to hinder the process of destruction of P53 (or tumor protein 53), a powerful antioncogen that plays the role of antitumor suppressor. In simple words, P53 is able to slow down or suppress nascent cancer cells, and ellagic acid extracted from the pomegranate would slow its destruction, thereby protecting the body.
However, even in this case the theory is quite different from reality; the most recent studies have in fact denied the hypothesis that the pomegranate can exert a real anticancer effect. This does not mean that it is a beneficial food and involved in the fight against oxidative stress, which we recall being one of the predisposing factors for cellular aging and favoring oncogenesis.
Description
Overview of pomegranate description
The pomegranate flowers, solitary and of a vermilion red color, are composed of 3-4 petals, and have a diameter of about 3 centimeters. The leaves, opposite, oval and bright green, are elongated and narrow: in general, they do not exceed 2 cm in width and 7 in length.
We now describe the most interesting part of Punica Granatum : the fruit. Better known as a pomegranate and scientifically called balausta, it is an almost unique berry of its kind, developed together with the floral calyx. The presence of the glass is also noted in the ripe fruit: in a position opposite to the petiole it is found, in fact, a sort of raised crown, sign of remains of the glass. The leathery exocarp, rather solid and massive, conceals numerous arils, estimated at around 600. These, translucent and bright, are made up of a superficial juicy pulp whose color can vary from white to blood red, and from woody seeds inside it .
It is important to remember that the fragrance, taste, shape and color of the pomegranate fruit are strongly conditioned by the species.
Botany
Brief notes on botany
The pomegranate, a small tree or shrub belonging to the Punicaceae family, is known in botany with the binomial nomenclature Punica Granatum . A native of Iran, North Africa and western Asia, it has been present in the Caucasus for millennia; later it was imported into Europe, then into America and Australia.
Currently, the cultivation of pomegranate is widespread in Mexico, the USA, Arizona and California. In Italy, it is also cultivated and especially for ornamental purposes, as evidenced by the spread of dwarf or flower varieties.
Dwarf Pomegranates
Within the vast varietal panorama, dwarf pomegranates cannot be overlooked: as can be easily understood, the size of this plant - where "dimension" means every part of the plant itself: height, leaves, fruit, etc. - are clearly reduced compared to classic pomegranate. In the dwarf species, the fruits are not edible, have a decidedly acidic character and are strongly astringent, therefore inedible. The use of dwarf pomegranates is extended only to the ornamental sphere.
