Optimizing Physical Health with Delicious Pomegranates
Not too long ago, there was a craze surrounding pomegranates. Americans were rushing to their local grocer to pick up there deliciously red beauties. People were adding them to their food, such as yogurt and drinking pomegranate juice. Then, almost as quickly as the trend came, it went away. Poof – without a trace. This is quite interesting and shocking as the benefits of pomegranates are immense.
In this article, we will look at three of the ways implementing pomegranates into your nutrition can aid in optimizing physical health.
First, let’s discuss a little bit about this tasty and beautiful red fruit.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before starting any exercise program, changing your daily nutrition, or adding any supplements to your regimen.
What Are Pomegranates?
Pomegranates are fruit-bearing deciduous shrubs or small trees belonging to the genus Punica within the family Lythraceae. The most well-known species is Punica granatum, which produces the pomegranate fruit. The fruit is typically round and about the size of an apple, with a thick, leathery skin that can range in color from red to pink to yellow.
The interior of the pomegranate contains numerous juicy arils, which are seed sacs surrounded by a pulpy, translucent flesh. Each aril contains a seed and a flavorful, tart juice. Pomegranates are praised for their distinct sweet and tangy taste.
These fruits are not only delicious but also rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, making them a healthy addition to one’s diet. Pomegranates have been cultivated for thousands of years in regions with a Mediterranean climate, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. They are consumed fresh, juiced, or used in cooking, baking, and as a garnish in various dishes. Additionally, pomegranate juice is popular for its potential health benefits, as it is believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Are You Supposed to Eat the Pomegranate Seeds?
Yes, you can eat pomegranate seeds, also known as arils. The seeds are surrounded by juicy, flavorful pulp and are completely edible. Many people enjoy eating them fresh, adding them to salads, yogurt, desserts, or using them as a garnish for various dishes.
To extract the seeds, cut the pomegranate in half and gently tap the back of each half with a wooden spoon over a bowl. This helps release the seeds without crushing them. Another method is to score the skin of the pomegranate and break it apart underwater to make it easier to separate the seeds from the pith.
The seeds are not only tasty but also nutritious, containing antioxidants, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals. They provide a delightful burst of flavor and texture, making them a popular and healthy addition to many culinary creations.
Pumped About Pomegranates
For starters, we need to understand how to eat pomegranates. Unlike similar-looking fruit, you don’t merely bite into pomegranates like you would something like an apple. You need to make vertical cuts through the fruit in order to open it up into small sections. The reason for this is because inside the fruit are little arils (the round-shaped edible part of pomegranates). What you want to do is scrape out all of the arils into a bowl or container and throw the remaining parts of the pomegranate away as they are inedible.
You can then eat these extremely sweet arils plain, put them in something like cereal or yogurt, or use them to make your own homemade pomegranate juice.
This powerhouse of a fruit is often referred to as a “superfood” and is loaded with helpful micronutrients that aid in optimizing physical health.
Now, for some ways pomegranates aid in optimizing physical health.
1. Improves Mental and Physical Performance
The ability to improve mental and physical performance is crucial in optimizing physical health. Should both ever decrease (such as with age or illness), it can negatively affect your health.
Pomegranates are loaded with what are known as nitrates, which aid in increasing blood flow. Not only is this beneficial for those who exercise and are trying to maintain their health and fitness, but you also need to take into account that an increase in blood flow helps the brain as well.
Another benefit of incorporating pomegranates into your nutrition plan is that they can also help reduce fatigue when training. This would allow you the ability to push yourself harder in the gym and achieve better results – ultimately helping you improve your health.
Related Article: Is Pomegranate Extract Really as Healthy as They Say?
From a mental performance and mental health aspect, pomegranates have been shown to help improve memory. They say where the mind goes, the body follows. Maintaining your mental health is a vital part of optimizing your physical health as well as your longevity and ability to maintain your independence and freedom.
Oh, and guys… I possibly saved the best for last in this category – pomegranates can help improve erectile dysfunction for those who suffer by increasing blood flow and can be used as a “natural Viagra.”
2. Loaded with Beneficial Antioxidants
When it comes to optimizing your physical health, antioxidants are a great form of defense. Our bodies are under siege on a daily basis from free radicals. Free radicals attack the body and cells, causing healthy cells to become damaged, destroyed, or even mutated. Free radicals can even impact our DNA. Overall, this oxidative damage done by free radicals is what causes us to fall ill with sicknesses as well as specific diseases.
Free radicals can also cause inflammation in the body. Inflammation in the body can lead to pain (such as in the joints), swelling, loss of function or mobility, and chronic inflammation can even lead to serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Inflammation can also affect the brain and cause our mental performance and health to decline by potentially causing diseases like Alzheimer’s.
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