Pomegranates – A Little background About The Great Pomegranate Superfruit

Pomegranates are a really funny fruit. They have been around for thousands of
Pomegranates

Pomegranates

years but I don’t really know anyone that would have tasted the pomegranate fruit. Up until 4 years ago I had never tasted the fruit myself. It was only when I was in the south of Spain that I got my first taste of the fruit for breakfast one morning. I had heard of the fruit before but had never actually tasted it until then. So whats the story with this fruit and whats the history with it.

The pomegranate fruit has been cultivated all over the Middle East and Asia for thousands of years. This ruby red fruit has earned a mention in the old testament of the Bible and also in ancient Greek writings by Homer. Eventually the fruit spread into Europe, first taken by the Roman army to Rome and later by the Moors to the south of Spain. It was from Spain that this fruit made its way across the Atlantic to America in the boats of the first pilgrims. Its funny how the fruit has traveled across the world with the passing of great historical events.

The ancient people of the middle east always held this fruit in high regard and revered the fruit as a symbol of life, health and fertility. They used it frequently in there medicines and also used it to help cure lots of different flu’s and diseases. It only seems to be recently that the western world has taken note of the fruit and started to do tests and research on it. This is where the story starts to get more interesting as the medical tests begin giving out the results.

Some initial test results have shown great health benefits attributed to the fruit and the medical profession have called the pomegranate a super fruit. Some of the health benefits that have been high lighted are:

1. The fruit has almost 3 times more antioxidants than all other fruits.
2. The fruit taken regularly can help to reduce high blood pressure and also it can help to lower the levels of bad cholesterol in your body.
3. It can help to reduce the chances of having heart problems or a stroke.
4. The fruit contains vitamin A, C and E along with folic acid and fiber.

Pomegranates are an old and healthy fruit and with the health benefits above it should be a new addition to your weekly shop. There is so many ways that you can add this fruit to your diet. Its great in salads and even as a fruit juice or smoothie. So get out there and try this great fruit.