Meet the Pomegranate-Fruit
Pomegranate-Fruit ~ Natures Super Foods
The Pomegranate-fruit Pricey pomegranate juice may be a consumer fad, but the fashionable fruit has been around since time began. Some scholars even claim it was a pomegranate, not an apple that Eve snacked on in the Garden of Eden. If so, Eve was smart, but probably didn't know it. The pomegranate, like the blueberry, is packed with disease fighting antioxidants. A sprinkling of pomegranate seeds on yogurt, salad or cereal may even decrease your risk of a host of afflictions from cancer to heart disease. Introducing the pomegranate-fruit. Round in shape and roughly between an orange and grapefruit in size, a tough leather-like skin covers this antioxidant power-house. Slice it open and inside you’ll find the sweet, pulp-covered seeds and here’s where the powerful goodness lies. How does it taste? Like a fruit befitting the Garden of Eden. Once bitten by the pomegranate bug, your lips, fingers, and if you're not careful, even your T-shirt will be stained with the addictive fruit’s sweet nectar. Patience is required since wrestling the seeds from the tough pith is a challenge (but we believe, well worth it). What it’s got going for it? Its natural abundance of antioxidants is the pomegranate’s greatest draw. Naturally occurring substances, antioxidants protect the body from damage done to cells and DNA by free radicals, pesky compounds, which have been linked to heart disease and cancer, even aging. Free radicals are as natural to the body as breathing. In fact, many of the body’s primary processes result in free radical damage. Aside from internal causes, free radicals are also present in our environment sources, tobacco and alcohol. How it measures up. While green tea and red wine have been talked up as good sources of antioxidants some studies suggest that the pomegranate-fruit contains three times the antioxidant properties of both. It’s got vitamins, too! The pomegranate-fruit is also a rich source of vitamins-A, C, E and iron. (The pasteurization process destroys the vitamin-C in commercial pomegranate juice.) The Benefits What doesn’t it do? Though small, studies about the positive health benefits of the pomegranate-fruit are continually growing. Rich in natural polyphenols, particularly tannins and anthocyanins, research suggests pomegranate juice may reduce your risk of a variety of afflictions from heart disease and stroke to Alzheimer’s disease, breast, prostate and skin cancer. According to a study at the University of Washington in St. Louis, women may reduce the risk of fetal brain injuries caused by premature or traumatic birth by consuming it while pregnant. A 2005 study found drinking the juice may even help treat erectile dysfunction. Pomegranate juice offers sweet health benefits for heart disease patients. The tasty seeds of the pomegranate appear to offer some sweet health benefits for coronary heart disease patients, according to research. A study of a small group of people with coronary heart disease found that drinking about one cup (240 mL) of pomegranate juice daily helped reduce stress-induced myocardial ischemia, poor blood flow to the heart muscle brought on by stress or exercise. The results of this study demonstrate, for the first time, that daily consumption of pomegranate juice for three months may decrease myocardial ischemia and improve myocardial perfusion in patients who have (coronary heart disease). Although the sample in this study was relatively small, the strength of the design and the clinically significant improvements in myocardial perfusion observed in the experimental group suggest that daily consumption of pomegranate juice may have important clinical benefits in this population. The researchers examined 45 people with coronary heart disease who had poor blood flow to the heart muscle. The patients were divided into two groups, with the experimental group drinking a daily cup of pomegranate juice for three months and the control group drinking a placebo, a similar-looking and similar-flavoured beverage that did not contain pomegranate juice. Electrocardiographic images were captured to assess the effect of the juice on myocardial ischemia. Results showed that study participants who drank the pomegranate juice experienced a 17% improvement in blood flow to the heart muscle, whereas those given a placebo beverage had an average worsening of 18%. As for the underlying reasons why the juice had positive effects, the researchers point to its high levels of polyphenols, a group of vegetable chemical substances that have been shown to act as antioxidants. The findings are consistent with results reported by others who have demonstrated the beneficial effects of beverages high in polyphenols, note the researchers. The researchers add that further studies of a similar nature should be conducted with larger groups and for a longer period of time. Buying guide. A good quality pomegranate should have a smooth skin, without cracks, bruises or signs of decay. If you like your fruit sweet and sour, select one with a reddish skin. Pomegranate-fruit Recipes Pomegranate Dressing Nutrition Info 
Per Serving• Calories: 320 kcal • Carbohydrates: 43 g • Dietary Fiber: 2 g • Fat: 17 g • Protein: 4 g • Sugars: 26 g Ingredients; 1. 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced 2. 1 medium shallot, finely chopped 3. 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4. 1 cup bottled pomegranate juice,
5. Vegetable oil, for frying 6. 1/2 cup all-purpose flour for dredging 7. Coarse sea salt
8. 2 Tbs. white wine vinegar 9. Freshly ground pepper 10. 12 ounces spicy salad greens, such as arugula, washed and dried 11. Seeds from 1 pomegranate Preparation; 1. Separate the sliced shallots into individual rings and set aside. In a small saucepan, combine 1 teaspoon of the olive oil with the chopped shallot and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes, until limp. Add the juice, increase the heat to medium-high and boil until reduced to 1/4 cup, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir as the liquid becomes syrupy to prevent burning. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. 2. Add about 1 inch of vegetable oil to a medium saucepan and place over medium heat. In a shallow bowl, toss the shallot rings with the flour, then shake in a mesh strainer to get rid of any excess flour. When the oil is hot (it will ripple), add the shallot rings, stirring so they don't stick together. Fry until crisp and brown, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels and season with salt. 3. When the pomegranate-fruit sauce is cool, pour it into a medium bowl. Whisk in the vinegar and a few dashes of salt and pepper, then slowly whisk in the remaining olive oil. Grab a salad leaf and dip it into the dressing to taste. Adjust the salt and pepper.
4. Place the greens in a large bowl and dress lightly (you might not need all of the dressing). Divide the greens among 6 plates and top with the fried shallots and pomegranate-fruit seeds. Yield: 6 servings Pomegranates are a decadent addition to any salad. Note: Tip To remove pomegranate-fruit seeds neatly, score the fruit with a sharp knife from top to bottom in four places, then split it open over a bowl of water. Gently pull out the seeds underwater and they'll fall to the bottom as the flesh floats to the top. Pomegranate Cider Nutrition Info Per Serving • Calories: 189 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 49 g • Dietary Fiber: 2 g • Fat: 0 g • Protein: 0 g • Sugars: 41 g Ingredients; • 6 cloves • 3 slices thin slices ginger • 5 cups apple cider • 1 cup pomegranate juice
• 6 sticks cinnamon Preparation; • Stick 2 cloves into each slice of ginger. In a large pot over high heat, bring the cider and pomegranate-fruit juice to a boil with the ginger. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour this warm, colorful cider into mugs and serve each with a cinnamon stick. Yield: 6 Servings Note: For information on another of natures heavy hitting fruits, see the following link;
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