A Super-Food That Just Could Be A 'Cure-All' – Pomegranates

Current studies have shown that pomegranates can help protect the heart and fight hardening of the arteries. One glass of pomegranate juice can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. It is known to have the highest antioxidant capacity compared to other juices like blueberry, cranberry, orange, red wine and green tea, which protects the body from free radicals. This leads us to its use in slowing down cholesterol oxidation which reduces the "bad" cholesterol.

Now about the subject of pomegranates and cancers; it may decrease the chance of breast cancer and prostate cancer, colon cancer, skin cancer, provide protection against osteoarthritis and could even help relieve symptoms of menopause. History has said that the Romans used them for ulcers, gum disease, diarrhea and tapeworms and other ancient practices abound where they were used.

Some of the other things it can be used for is: it can be used for dying cloth, to embellish a cocktail, it can be a boiled into an infusion of the rinds which it is said to soothe a sore throat, and a paste of the leaves, massaged into the scalp can possibly reverse baldness.

Choose fruits that are deep red and heavy for their size, they can be stored at room temperature for several days or refrigerated for a couple weeks.

How to use the fruit, cut off the crown top, score into four quarters and soak it in a bowl of water for 5 minutes, keep it under water, peel it open separating the membrane and peel from the seeds, the seeds will sink, the membrane will float and there you have pomegranate seeds. Only the seeds are edible, however, the skin etc is used for other things. Place the seeds in a airtight bag and freeze to use when the season is over. The usual season for pomegranates is October through January.

Pomegranate juice can be purchased year around in most health food stores and sold in its pure form, which is the best as you would want it processed so as to keep all of its nutrient properties kept in place and no sugar/sweetner of any sort added.

Thought of the Day: "Anyone can count the number of seeds in an apple. Only God can count the number of apples in a seed." –Source Unknown-nnnnnnn