Top Reasons to Love Pomegranate Seeds

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It is not wonder that the term “pomegranate” comes from the Latin phrase meaning “seeded apple”: as a matter of fact, the only edible part of the pomegranate is this plethora of seeds, with the average fruit holding something like 600 of them! Several years ago, pomegranate was little-used in the United States but more recently, as its health benefits became more widely known, pomegranate juice in particular began to show up in a variety of healthy foods, drinks and smoothies. Some of the most important benefits of these super seeds are discussed below.

Weight Loss Aid

There are many ways in which consuming pomegranate seeds can be an aid to those who are trying to lose weight. Firstly, it is low in calories, with a ¾ cup serving containing only 83 calories. It is also high in fiber, which helps dieters by leaving them fuller for longer and also be improving the efficiency of the whole digestive system, something which can help boost the body’s ability to absorb and use nutrients more efficiently. This increased efficiency is important for weight loss.

Vitamin C and K Provider

Pomegranates are also healthy for the body because they provide approximately 10 grams of Vitamin C (17% of the recommended daily allowance, or RDA) and 16g of Vitamin K (20% of the RDA). Vitamin C is useful for boosting the body’s immune system, promoting wound healing and building collagen and elastin, which aid in the structure, strength and elasticity of the skin and joints. Vitamin K, on the other hand, helps the body to absorb iron more efficiently, and aids in both bone health and blood clotting.

Cancer Deterrent

Pomegranate seeds are rich in phytochemicals, plant-based compounds which are used in the body for a number of purposes and which go a long way towards promoting immunity and general health. These seeds are a particularly good source for phytochemicals such as tannin, quercetin and anthocyanin, polyphenols whose powerful antioxidant properties have been shown to support the function of healthy cells, kill off cancer cells and slow or prevent tumor growth. In addition to this, it also has anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties which also help support a healthy body.

So if you are wanting to try pomegranates for the first time or are simply considering increasing intake of these seeds in your diet, this consumption should bring you a number of health benefits. It is great as a tool to help you achieve and maintain your desired weight and also provides you with high amounts of Vitamins C and K while at the same time making it less likely that you will develop cancer due to the antioxidants properties of its phytochemicals. If you add its great flavor into the mix, what’s not to love about these lovely seeds?

Sources : med-health.net, israel21c.org, drfuhrman.com

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Samriti
Samriti has written a number of articles and blog posts for websites and print in the health industry. The majority of this writing was related to cancer information, blood pressure and healthy living.