What is a pomegranate?

The pomegranate is one of the seven blessed plants of the Promised Land mentioned in the Bible, only four of which are fruit crops: grapes, figs, dates and pomegranates.

In the Quran, the pomegranate is listed among the plants of the gardens of paradise. There is a theory that the biblical forbidden fruit was not an apple but a pomegranate, not least because in many languages the pomegranate is called an apple: the German Granatapfel and the Italian melograno both mean “grained apple”. The ancient Romans called the pomegranate the “seeded apple” – malum granatum.

The beneficial properties of pomegranate juice

Since ancient times, people have noticed the wonderful taste and health properties of pomegranates and drinks made from them, guided only by observation and with no idea of their chemical composition. Today we know that pomegranate juice is not just a tasty drink but a true vitamin and mineral elixir containing a large number of beneficial substances:

• B vitamins
• vitamins A, C, E, K, PP
• iron
• phosphorus
• magnesium
• potassium
• manganese
• sodium
• selenium
• fluorine
• chlorine
• polyphenols
• fatty acids
• folate
• choline

The main property of pomegranate juice that makes the drink considered exceptionally beneficial is that it raises haemoglobin levels in the blood and fights anaemia. Drinking it regularly shows good results in cases of haemoglobin deficiency – but not because pomegranates contain a lot of iron, as many people think. The improvement in the blood count when drinking pomegranate juice comes from the absorption of iron and other substances from food, which the juice supports. So if you are anaemic, it is important to drink pomegranate juice together with other foods that contain iron.

Thanks to its rich biochemical composition, pomegranate juice is incredibly beneficial for many functions of the human body:

• strengthens the body
• supports recovery from illness and injury
• useful for anaemia and vitamin deficiency, chronic fatigue, insomnia and depression
• increases the elasticity of blood vessels
• supports weight loss
• helps in the prevention and treatment of heart and vascular diseases
• helps with diseases of the joints and the oral cavity
• has a strengthening effect in intestinal disorders
• has antiparasitic properties
• has an antioxidant effect and acts against the formation of tumours
• is also recommended for hypertension

The healthiest is freshly pressed juice from ripe pomegranates. The finished product makes up 35–40% of the total volume of the whole pomegranate, and this drink contains almost all of the beneficial vitamins and minerals found in the fruit.

Useful for diabetes

The pomegranate is very often called a natural insulin. It is one of the few fruits that people with prediabetes and diabetes can and should eat.

Pomegranate juice: benefits for women

Because it contains folic acid, pomegranate juice is especially useful for women during pregnancy and after giving birth, when they are often prone to anaemia. The drink eases the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and the menopause: it contains estrone – a complex of the phytohormones oestradiol, progesterone and androgens. For the same reason, pomegranate juice is an effective means of preventing tumours that develop against a background of oestrogen deficiency.

Pomegranate juice: benefits for men

Drinking pomegranate juice has a beneficial effect on male sexual function and is considered a way of preventing prostatitis. The pomegranate drink tones the body and increases physical endurance and resilience to stress, so it can serve as a useful alternative to energy drinks and caffeinated drinks. The beneficial effect of pomegranate juice on the blood vessels helps prevent heart attacks and strokes. Pomegranate juice has a marked detoxifying effect.

Pomegranate juice: benefits for children

You can add pomegranate juice to your child’s diet from 12 months of age. Start with a teaspoon and watch how the body reacts. The daily portion can gradually be increased to 200 ml. Concentrated juice can be diluted with water. For small children, it is recommended to give pomegranate juice no more than twice a week. Pomegranate juice strengthens the immune system in the cold season, improves blood formation, and eases stomatitis and teething. If your child is prone to constipation, you should not give them pomegranate juice.

Pomegranate juice for young people

Pomegranate juice contains antioxidants – polyphenols, quercetins, gallic acid and lycopene. Together, these substances can prevent cholesterol from building up in the blood vessels. Drunk regularly, pomegranate juice improves the cardiovascular system, regulates blood pressure in people with hypertension, improves the condition of coronary heart disease and is a powerful means of preventing heart disease. Antioxidants fight free radicals and support cell regeneration.