The pomegranate it is the fruit of the pomegranate, which ripens from October. The edible part, which represents about 50% of the total, is made up of 40% of the internal grains (the arils) and 10% of seeds. The beans contain 80.5 g of water, 15.9 g of total sugars, 2.2 g of fiber (consisting mainly of pectin), 8 mg of vitamin C, 15 mg of vitamin A retinol equivalent, 290 mg di potassium but also citric acid e polyphenols, mainly anthocyanins, which are responsible for most of the protective activities including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ones.
In the seeds, on the other hand, between 12 and 20% of the total weight is represented by the oil which contains about 70% of pomegranate juice, a fatty acid very similar to alpha linolenic acid which belongs to the omega-3 family. Furthermore, the seeds contain most of the fiber, other vitamins and polyphenols. By eliminating them, therefore, a lot of nutrients are lost.
It has an antioxidant power
The pomegranate grains are slightly sour and can be eaten alone or in salads, fruit and vegetables, or as the basis of excellent recipes. The pomegranate is also indicated in low-calorie diets: it provides only 68 calorie. The juice, on the other hand, is certainly more practical to prepare than the consumption of the fruit in its natural state but to guarantee the body the benefits of which the fruit is rich, it is necessary to take at least two glasses of juice throughout the day. As mentioned earlier, the pomegranate is rich in polyphenols, which are extraordinary natural antioxidants. They can therefore help fight free radicals and consequently the aging of cells and internal organs. The pomegranate has about 71% of natural antioxidants against 40% of wine and 33% of other red fruits.
The pomegranate revitalizes the muscles
The pomegranate has revitalizing action on the muscles, fights its weakening, favoring the formation of new mitochondria, energy control units of the cell, essential for the correct function of our muscles. These are the results of one studio of the Ecole Polytechnic of Lausanne published in the magazine Nature Medicine. To guarantee this benefit is the combined action of urolithin A, a substance produced during the digestion of pomegranate and ellagitannins, already known for their antiviral, antioxidant and protective action against some tumors. Now a urolithin-based drug is being studied that can be used above all against the loss of muscle mass, typical of old age and which often reaches the level of sarcopenia, an aging-related syndrome characterized by the progressive and generalized loss of muscle mass and physical strength, which usually begins around 40-50 years of age.
Combats skin aging
Urolithin A and anthocyanosides make the pomegranate a valid ally not only against cellular and muscle aging but also against the skin. The skin appears supple and radiant. Due to the antioxidant properties of polyphenols, this fruit is used in the preparation of creams to restore elasticity and brightness to the skin. For the same reason, it is recommended to be consumed at any age, but especially in menopause when the skin loses its freshness and needs more hydration.