The pomegranate is widely considered to have originated in the vicinity of Iran and has been cultivated since ancient times. Today, it is widely cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region of southern Europe, the Middle East and Caucasus region, northern Africa and tropical Africa, the Indian subcontinent and the drier parts of southeast Asia. Introduced into Latin America and California by Spanish settlers in 1769, pomegranate is also cultivated in parts of California and Arizona.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the fruit is typically in season from September to February. In the Southern Hemisphere, the pomegranate is in season from March to May.
The pomegranate has been mentioned in many ancient texts, notably in Babylonian texts, the Book of Exodus, the Homeric Hymns and the Quran. In recent years, it has become more common in the commercial markets of North America and the Western Hemisphere.
Pomegranates are used in cooking, baking, juices, smoothies and alcoholic beverages, such as martinis and wine.
The Punica granatum leaves are opposite or sub-opposite, glossy, narrow oblong, entire, 3–7 cm long and 2 cm broad. The flowers are bright red, 3 cm in diameter, with four to five petals (often more on cultivated plants). Some fruitless varieties are grown for the flowers alone. The edible fruit is a berry and is between a lemon and a grapefruit in size, 5–12 cm in diameter with a rounded hexagonal shape, and has thick reddish skin. The exact number of seeds in a pomegranate can vary from 200 to about 1400 seeds, contrary to some beliefs that all pomegranates have exactly the same number of seeds. Each seed has a surrounding water-laden pulp—the edible aril—ranging in color from white to deep red or purple. The seeds are embedded in a white, spongy, astringent membrane.
Clutivation
Insect pests of the pomegranate can include the pomegranate butterfly Virachola isocrates and the leaf-footed bug Leptoglossus zonatus. Pomegranate grows easily from seed, but is commonly propagated from 25–50 cm hardwood cuttings to avoid the genetic variation of seedlings. Air layering is also an option for propagation, but grafting fails.
Punica granatum var. nana is a dwarf variety of P. granatum popularly planted as an ornamental plant in gardens and larger containers, and used as a bonsai specimen tree. It could well be a wild form with a distinct origin. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. The only other species in the genus Punica is the Socotran pomegranate (Punica protopunica), which is endemic to the island of Socotra. It differs in having pink (not red) flowers and smaller, less sweet fruit.
Punica granatum has more than 500 named cultivars, but the pomegranate evidently has considerable synonymy in which the same genotype is named differently across regions of the world.
Several characteristics between pomegranate genotypes vary for identification, consumer preference, preferred use, and marketing, the most important of which are fruit size, exocarp color (ranging from yellow to purple, with pink and red most common), aril color (ranging from white to red), hardness of seed, maturity, juice content and its acidity, sweetness, and astringency.
Advantage of Pomegranate
Compounds found only in pomegranates called punicalagins are shown to benefit the heart and blood vessels. Punicalagins are the major component responsible for pomegranate's antioxidant and health benefits. They not only lower cholesterol, but also lower blood pressure and increase the speed at which heart blockages (atherosclerosis) melt away.
Recent medical research studied heart patients with severe carotid artery blockages. They were given an ounce of pomegranate juice each day for a year. Not only did study participants' blood pressure lower by over 12 percent, but there was a 30 percent reduction in atherosclerotic plaque. Just as astounding, participants who did not take the pomegranate juice saw their atherosclerotic plaque increase by 9 percent.
In other studies, potent antioxidant compounds found in pomegranates have shown to reduce platelet aggregation and naturally lower blood pressure, factors that prevent both heart attacks and strokes.
Not only are pomegranates good for your heart and blood vessels but they have been shown to inhibit breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, leukemia and to prevent vascular changes that promote tumor growth in lab animals. Several in vitro studies have shown this remarkable anti-cancer effect. Additional studies and clinical trials currently taking place are hopeful to reveal this fascinating effect on humans.
Also of note, pomegranate juice contains phytochemical compounds that stimulate serotonin and estrogen receptors, improving symptoms of depression and increasing bone mass in lab animals.
Many studies show that the pomegranate is one of the most powerful, nutrient dense foods for overall good health. These clinical findings clearly show a correlation between pomegranate compounds and their positive effect on both human and animal cardiovascular, nervous, and skeletal health. This is one fruit that you can't afford to exclude from your diet!
Helps Prevent and Treat Acne
Acne is caused primarily by hormonal imbalance or digestive problems. Consuming pomegranates regularly can help prevent acne and eliminate its root causes by correcting digestive problems and promoting healthy circulation of the blood. The fruit is rich in iron, a constituent part of hemoglobin that helps absorb oxygen. Oxygen is carried to the skin cells, making the skin look fresh and smooth.
In addition, the pomegranate is a good source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that is known to protect the skin from damaging free radicals. Vitamin C is also necessary for regulating the production of sebum, an oily secretion of the sebaceous glands of the skin, which is one of the root causes of acne.
To treat acne or improve your skin using pomegranates, all you need to do is apply pomegranate extract or juice on the affected areas and you will see favorable results in a few days. The pomegranate extract gets rid of acne and prevents the formation of scars by rejuvenating your skin cells.
Prevents Skin Aging
Drinking pomegranate juice is also a good remedy for skin damaged by sun exposure. It helps prolong the life of fibroblasts, which are cells that are responsible for producing elastin and collagen. Elastin and collagen help keep the skin tone healthy and enhance the skin’s elasticity.
A study also suggests that application of pomegranate seed oil on the skin increases the production of collagen, preventing the breakdown of collagen fibers that could result in the appearance of wrinkles. Collagen fibers are responsible for making the skin smooth and supple. Therefore, using pomegranate seed oil can effectively slow down the formation of wrinkles and other marks related to aging.
Repairs Skin Cuts and Scrapes
Several studies reveal that application of pomegranate seed oil can help expedite wound healing. With its powerful properties, the oil has been found to quickly repair cuts, pimples and other breaks on the skin, leaving no scars to mar the skin’s smoothness.
Pomegranate juice and seed oil are a bit expensive, but the fruit is always available at stores that sell herbal and organic products. Using the fruit is the best way to enjoy its various benefits without hurting your pocket.
Disadvantage of Pomegranate
Pomegranates contain more calories per serving than several other fruits. Each 1-cup serving of pomegranate boosts your caloric intake by 144 calories, compared to 62 calories in an equivalent serving of blackberries, 87 calories in cherries or 52 calories in sliced apples. While pomegranate still provides a lower-calorie alternative to processed snacks or junk food, selecting other fruits over pomegranate might be beneficial if your goal is weight loss.
Availability
In the Southern Hemisphere, fresh pomegranates are available throughout the year. However, in the United States and Europe, most varieties are only available from October through January, according to the Pomegranate Council website. This prevents the use of pomegranates as consistent sources of antioxidants and vitamins in these regions.
Carbamazepine Inhibition
The chemical compounds contained in pomegranate juice may inhibit the metabolism and activity of carbamazepine, a drug used to treat bipolar disorder and epilepsy, according to Muneaki Hidaka, of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Kyushu University of Health and Welfare in Japan. Carbamazepine is used as a mood-enhancer and anti-convulsive agent to treat these disorders.
Preparation
Pomegranates can be difficult and time-consuming to prepare. You must remove the individual membranes that contain the seeds and juice from the rind of the pomegranate before adding them to salads or other dishes. Also, the juice, which is a deep red color, can easily stain your skin, as well as countertops and cutting boards.
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