in case you hadn't heard...

pomegranate highlights include :P

medical research into the health benefits of pomegranates showing:

drinking a daily glass of pomegranate juice can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Professor Michael Aviram, who led the research, said: "Pomegranate juice contains the highest antioxidant capacity compared to other juices, red wine and green tea." 1*

pomegranate juice slows down the process of oxidation by almost half. They also discovered that pomegranate juice reduced the retention of LDL, the bad cholesterol which forms fatty deposits, known as atherosclerotic lesions, which narrow the arteries and cause heart disease.

pomegranates contain polyphenolics, tannins and anthocyanins, all compounds that are good for us. "This study will test the idea that drinking a glass of pomegranate juice every day improves the function of blood vessels, reduces hardening of the arteries and improves heart health," Dr Bugle said.

"Preliminary studies suggest that pomegranate juice may contain almost three times the total antioxidant ability compared to the same quantity of green tea or red wine."

significant improvements in blood flow to the heart observed after only three months suggests that pomegranate juice may have important clinical benefits in those with coronary heart disease.

long-term consumption of pomegranate juice may help against erectile dysfunction. Scientists are also looking into the possibility that pomegranates may prevent prostate cancer or slow its growth following tests on mice that showed pomegranate extracts delayed the development of tumours

a study carried out by scientists at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio found that pomegranates may help battle arthritis

facts about pomegranates:

Pomegranates are full of edible seeds that are packed with vitamins A, C, E and iron.

Pomegranates are thought to be native to Persia, but are now grown all over the world.

Pomegranates feature in Greek mythology in the story of Persephone. Kidnapped by Hades, she eats the fruit before being rescued and is therefore forced to spend a few months every year in the underworld with him.

Elsewhere in mythology, the pomegranate is a symbol of birth, eternal life and death because of its seeds and ability to 'bleed'.

Iranians believe that Eve was tempted with a pomegranate in the Garden of Eden.

King Cyrus, the founder of the Persian Empire, asked for a number of generals equal to the number of seeds in a pomegranate.

Ancient Egyptians were buried with pomegranates in the hope of being reborn.

Greeks traditionally break a pomegranate at weddings as a symbol of fertility.

In China, pomegranate seeds are eaten at weddings to bless the bride and groom.


1* (Antioxidants are substances that protect the body from free radicals: bad chemicals in the blood that alter cholesterol in a process called oxidation and speed up the hardening of arteries, as well as contributing to other illnesses and conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, cancer, hypertension and premature aging. Our bodies don't produce enough antioxidants, so we need to take them on board ourselves, and pomegranates are an abundant source.

Antioxidants can protect us against the oxidative stress in our industrialised world, such as pollution, chemicals, viruses and bacteria, and consequently cardiovascular diseases and cancer )

full article: www.msn.co.uk