Pomegranate or Anar (Hindi) or Punica Granatum (botanical name) family name Lythraceae – Puniacaceae, is the shrub or small plant growing up to the height of fifteen feet. The fruit is categorized as a berry. The fruit contains a thick outer skin. The fruit has excellent shades of skin color. The inner part of the fruit is divided into irregular sections. Each section is comprised of edible seeds. How many seeds will an average sized fruit have? You will get at least 500 to 600 juicy seeds. The brightly colored and lusciously juicy seeds will definitely tempt you to eat. The plant is mainly cultivated for its fruits. The flower leaves and stem have some medicinal value.
Nutrition Data on Pomegranate
Your average pomegranate fruit comprises 80 per cent water. The fruit is recommended for its outstanding potassium (259 mg) content. If you consume a pomegranate, your potassium requirements will be met. It is also has an excellent quantum of minerals: Iron (30 mg), Phosphorus (8 mg), Magnesium (3 mg), sodium (3 mg), and calcium (3 mg) are available in small amount. You will get traces of Copper (0.070 mg), Selenium (0.6 mg) and Zinc (0.12 mg).
Vitamins Available
Note the presence of ascorbic acid in your pomegranate. You will agree that your pomegranate is a rich in Vitamin C (6.1 mg). It also has good amount of Vitamin B6 (0.105 mg) and Pantothenic Acid (0.596 mg). The fruit also comprises some amount of Vitamin E (0.550 mg ATE), Thiamin (0.030 mg) and Riboflavin (0.030 mg). You will also get Niacin (0.300 mg) and Folate (6 mcg) in traces.
You will find the juicy seeds are sweeter in taste while its nectar will give you so exotic to savor taste. The fruit has its calorific value as 68.0 per 100 gm. It is free from fat. It has a good amount of diet fiber.
Health Benefits of Pomegranate
Pomegranate is your ‘Kaya Kalpa’ or elixr. The presence of higher quantum of antioxidants such as polyphenols, tannins and anthocyannins in pomegranate seeds will help you in the removal of free radicals from your body cells. I will put in this way. The quantum of antioxidants present in pomegranate is considered better than your green tea or red wine. The antioxidants will help you in repairing your cells. It reduces your bad cholesterol (LDL), prevents heart diseases, breast cancer, prostrate cancer, skin cancer improves your immune metabolism and kidney functioning.
Source:
1). The Fruit Pages – Pomegranates, raw http://www.thefruitpages.com/chartpomegranates.shtml
