11 benefits of pomegranate; how to prepare the tea

Pomegranate is a fruit that contains functional compounds such as flavonoids, quercetin and ellagic acid, which are antioxidants that can help prevent Alzheimer’s and some types of cancer, and control high blood pressure, in addition to having anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects, helping to relieve a sore throat, for example.

Furthermore, pomegranate can also be included in weight loss diets, as it is low in calories and rich in fiber, increasing the feeling of satiety and, therefore, food consumption.

Pomegranate is a slightly sweet fruit and the seeds can be consumed raw or used to make juices, salads and yogurts. The peels, leaves and stem of the fruit can be used to make teas. The peel extract and concentrated oil from pomegranate seeds can be recommended to prevent premature aging and improve the immune system.

Main benefits

The main health benefits of pomegranate are:

1. Prevent cancer

Pomegranate pulp and peel are rich in flavonoids and tannins, which are antioxidant compounds present in many fruits and vegetables and which help prevent the emergence of some types of cancer, such as prostate, lung, skin and breast cancer. .

Furthermore, more recent studies have investigated the possibility of using pomegranate extract to treat various types of cancer, mainly due to the function of urolithin B and galactic acid, compounds found in the peel, leaves and seeds of the fruit and which have potent antioxidant action, reducing or inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells.

2. Prevent Alzheimer’s

Pomegranate seeds and peel have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, which help balance the functions of neurons, improving memory and preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s.

This property is found especially in the pomegranate peel, part of the fruit that contains 10 times more antioxidants compared to the pulp.

3. Avoid heart disease

Pomegranate juice is rich in compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions, which increase levels of good cholesterol, HDL, in the blood, preventing some heart diseases, such as heart attack, arrhythmia and atherosclerosis. In addition, fruit juice also helps reduce blood triglyceride levels, a type of fat that, in excess, increases the risk of heart disease.

4. Strengthen the immune system

Pomegranate is a fruit rich in vitamin C and antioxidants that also work to inhibit the growth of bad bacteria and increase the number of good bacteria in the intestine. This function helps to balance the intestinal flora, improving the absorption of vitamins and minerals by the organ, in addition to strengthening the immune system, preventing health problems such as flu, diarrhea and herpes, for example.

Additionally, fruit extracts have been used as supplements to strengthen the immune system of those with inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or inflammatory bowel disease.

5. Reduce blood pressure

The antioxidants present in pomegranate promote the relaxation of blood vessels, which facilitates blood circulation and helps prevent high blood pressure in those who do not yet have the disease.

Some studies show that drinking around 240 ml of pomegranate juice for 14 days can also help reduce high blood pressure in those with high blood pressure. It is important to emphasize that fruit juice should not replace the medication prescribed by the cardiologist.

6. Maintain skin health

Pomegranate is rich in ellagitannins, anthocyanins and catechins, which are antioxidants and are present in the seed, peel and juice of the fruit. These compounds have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, which protect the skin against the sun’s ultraviolet rays, preventing skin cancer.

Furthermore, the fruit’s compounds prevent premature aging and also promote an astringent, drying, and antiseptic action on the skin, helping to treat combination, oily and acne-prone skin.

7. Fight diarrhea 

Because it is rich in tannins, which are compounds that increase water absorption and reduce the movement of expulsion of feces through the intestine, and antioxidants that balance the intestinal flora, tea made from fruit peels or pomegranate stems helps in the treatment of diarrhea. .

8. Prevent gingivitis and periodontitis

Pomegranate has compounds such as flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenolic acids and tannins, which are important antioxidants and antimicrobials for the treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis. In this case, it is the peels and flowers of the fruit that are used in the form of teas to make mouthwashes.

Studies show that treatment with pomegranate extracts combats the bacteria that cause gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gums, in addition to reducing bleeding in periodontitis, which is the inflammation of the bones and tissues of the teeth.

9. Prevent and improve throat infections

The fruit peel and pomegranate stem are very effective in preventing and improving throat inflammations such as laryngitis, pharyngitis and tonsillitis. To get the benefits of pomegranate in your throat, you can make tea with the fruit peels and gargle 3 times a day. See how to prepare pomegranate tea for a sore throat .

10. Prevent diabetes

Fresh pomegranate juice is rich in antioxidants which, in addition to other benefits, help improve the functions of the pancreas, which is the organ responsible for producing the hormone insulin in the body. This property of the fruit helps balance blood sugar levels, preventing diabetes and helping to control blood sugar in those who already have the disease.

Some studies have shown that drinking fresh juice from pomegranate flowers or seeds can lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes within just a few hours of consumption.

11. Help with weight loss

In addition to its health benefits, pomegranates are also low in calories, rich in antioxidants and a source of fiber, helping to control hunger, eliminate excess body fluid and lose weight.

Pomegranate nutritional information

The following table provides nutritional information for 100 g of fresh pomegranate:

It is important to remember that the benefits of pomegranate are only possible when this fruit is consumed along with a healthy diet, associated with regular exercise.

Make an appointment with the nutritionist closest to you if you want to know how to include pomegranate in a healthy diet: