Besides being delicious, pomegranates are rich in nutrients, making them highly beneficial for your overall health. They might not be the first fruit to come to mind when discussing health perks for most people, but eating pomegranates has several notable benefits. Here are five reasons to eat pomegranates that will have you reaching for this unique fruit daily.
1. Pomegranates Can Help Fight Cancer
According to several smaller-scale studies, eating pomegranates might help slow the progress of some cancer types. A 2021 study found that this seedy fruit can slow prostate cancer in people of a specific genotype. Another study done the same year identified certain pomegranate varieties that could potentially attack breast cancer cells, thus slowing the progress of this disease.
2. Pomegranates Can Benefit Heart Health
A 2017 study concluded that patients who regularly drank pomegranate juice reported fewer and less intense episodes of angina, the pain caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart. Drinking pomegranate juice can also generally benefit the heart, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant attributes.
3. Pomegranates Can Help Regulate Blood Flow
Drinking pomegranate juice daily contributes to better blood flow, which, in turn, reduces oxidative stress and lowers blood pressure. In addition, improved blood flow can aid with erectile dysfunction, aided by the pomegranate’s ability to relax the corpus cavernosum, the spongy erectile tissue.
4. Pomegranates Have Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Pomegranates are proven to have impressive anti-inflammatory effects, aiding your body’s inflammatory response to conditions like metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
5. Pomegranates Are Beneficial for Mind and Body
According to a 2020 study, drinking pomegranate juice every day can improve memory in middle-aged and older adults. Several studies also claim that pomegranate doesn’t only improve cognitive functions but also physical fitness. Since it improves blood flow, pomegranate juice can boost athletic performance. Furthermore, its nutritional values and anti-inflammatory effects help improve muscle recovery in both athletes and non-athletes.
