Have a Pomegranate Today!

Pomegranates are a beautiful fruit, with shiny red “jewels,” called arils, inside containing sweet juicy nectar surrounding a white seed in the middle. While opening a pomegranate and freeing the jewels from the fruit is hard work, you might be making it even more difficult by spitting out the seeds. Despite some popular opinions, pomegranate seeds can be eaten — and they are good for you, too!

What Are the Health Benefits?

Pomegranate is an extremely healthy fruit. Many people pop them open, scoop out the seeds and eat them whole. Yet others suck the juice off each seed before spitting the white fibrous middle out. It’s the latter group who may be missing out on some of the pomegranate’s health benefits!

Nutrients

Pomegranates are rich in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. The majority of that fiber is found in the white seeds hiding beneath the pockets of juice. It contains 48 percent of the recommended daily vitamin C intake, important for a variety of health functions.

Low Calorie

With 234 calories in an entire pomegranate, it’s a relatively low-calorie food. This makes them a delicious and ideal snack for anyone watching their weight.

Antioxidants

Pomegranate seeds contain a high number of antioxidants, which help protect the body against inflammation and free radical damage. There are also antioxidants in the peel, though few people eat pomegranate peels. These antioxidants, referred to as polyphenols, include tannins, flavonoids, and anthocyanin.

Healthy Horizons