What are the benefits of pomegranate?
In my opinion, pomegranates don’t get enough attention. Pomegranates are among the healthiest fruits on Earth. They contain a range of beneficial plant compounds, unrivaled by other foods.
Pomegranates have an impressive nutrient profile — one cup contains:
Fiber: 7 grams
Protein: 3 grams
Vitamin C: 30% of the RDI
Vitamin K: 36% of the RDI
Folate: 16% of the RDI
Potassium: 12% of the RDI
It’s antioxidant specifically is what makes this fruit a must. Pomegranates contain higher levels of antioxidants than most other fruits. They also have three times more antioxidants than red wine and green tea. They contain very potent antioxidants called punicalagins, which is the source of most of the benefits.
Eating pomegranates daily will have a beneficial effect on your skin due to the anti-aging properties of antioxidants.
Antioxidants are compounds that fight free radical damage, oxidative stress and inflammation, things that all cause skin damage and premature aging. Free radicals are created from external stressors like pollution, sun exposure or smoking, and are dangerous for the skin because they damage our skin’s DNA, causing accelerated aging.
When our cells are damaged by free radicals, skin starts to sag, has poor texture and more wrinkles and discoloration appear on the skin, giving an overall aged and dull appearance. Vitamin C - an antioxidant - is the holy grail ingredient for skincare products for good reason: it promotes skin brightness, reduces blemishes and redness and makes skin glow.
Another key benefit of pomegranates is their role in collagen synthesis due to their vitamin C properties. Without vitamin C, collagen can not be created - the protein responsible for skin elasticity and plumpness. Research shows that as we age, we naturally produce less collagen in our skin, which is arguably the main reason why we get wrinkles, sagging and loose skin as we move later in life.
Eat a pomegranate today, you’ll feel better for it!