Have you ever had the pleasure of holding pomegranates in your hands, later cutting it open and revealing the ruby coloured gems contained within? It looks like treasure and it truly is one of nature’s gifts.

Here are 7 way in which this precious fruit can make a difference in your health …

Pomegranates and the body

1. Prevents cancer:

There are high levels of antioxidants and vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Iron in Pomegranates, these elements help to fight against free radicals and stop them from damaging and causing mutated cells within the body cells. Pomegranates thus have been seen as a fruit which may have many anti-cancer properties in the body.

2. Prevents heart disease:

Anti-oxidants present in pomegranates have the ability to lower levels of bad cholesterol in the body, whilst at the same time, it increases good cholesterol and therefore has been seen to have the added benefit of preventing heart disease. Its juice is known to improve blood circulation through the heart, extending its lifespan and making the heart healthier.

3. Boosts immunity:

Pomegranate contains 15% of the daily required Vitamin C, a vitamin which is essential for a healthy immune system. So in this case, ‘a pomegranate a day could indeed keep the doctor away’.

Pomegranate and the skin

4. Healthy skin:

Vitamin C helps in producing collagen. This collagen can help maintain the elasticity of the skin. Pomegranate oil which is derived from the pomegranate seeds can be applied on the body as an effective booster for the skin. Its antioxidants protect the skin from toxic gases, heavy metals and pollution, and as such assisting in skin cancer prevention as well as giving the skin a healthy glow. Pomegranate is also known to help with skin cell regeneration and removing dead skin cells.

How does it affect the body

5. Healthy arteries:

There is a natural occurrence of a plaque like a buildup which occurs in the arteries, mainly due to bad cholesterol in the arteries. This can be successfully treated with a pomegranate supplement to be taken daily, it also aids in preventing further build up.

** Pomegranate supplements are used as an effective control for cholesterol management, however, take caution with combining the supplement with warfarin.

6. Blood pressure:

Pomegranate juice if taken daily can reduce high blood pressure by up to 5%. This reduction in systolic blood pressure can reduce the chances of stroke and also extend a persons life span. So bottoms up!