Previously, it was more of an exotic decoration for the festive table, today science places it high among the foods that support the heart, blood vessels and general condition. So why treat yourself to it right now in winter?
Why try pomegranate?
They are imported to the Czech Republic from subtropical regions, where they have ideal conditions for ripening. In the winter months, fruits from Turkey, Spain and Israel predominate.
It is precisely from autumn to January that they are at their juiciest and most distinctive in taste. And the fresher the fruit, the more active substances. The only minor obstacle is peeling, which can torment even the patient. But whoever adopts it wins and the kitchen stays clean.
An illustrative example is a post from the YouTube channel Apetit.
Punicalagins and cell defense
The significance of the pomegranate lies in a very high one indeed antioxidant content. The fruit contains so-called punicalagins.
Punicalagins belong to antioxidants, specifically polyphenols with significant anti-inflammatory effects. And this is to the benefit of young and old.
It is these substances that protect the body’s cells from oxidative stress. It even surpasses green tea, which is extremely rich in antioxidants.
Pomegranate contains a number of important vitamins. It is mainly about vitamin C or E, it has the highest content of minerals potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. However, to a lesser extent, it also contains many other interesting nutritional substances.
For blood pressure, blood vessels and skin
Regular consumption of pomegranate has a positive effect on systolic blood pressure and LDL cholesterol level. This is especially important for the cardiovascular system, which is directly affected by pressure and cholesterol.
However, the attention of scientists is not only focused on internal health. Not only the effect on skin cells and the visual manifestations of aging is investigated, but also the aging of the entire organism.
The results of various works indicate that polyphenols help the skin to better resist external influences and slow down the signs of aging. The reduction of wrinkles was confirmed, for example, by .
However, it is far from just the appearance of the skin. The new one points to overall slowing down of agingrespectively mitochondrial metabolism in T cells, measurable already after 28 days of supplementation.
It is T cells that are fundamentally related to immunity and energy metabolism. These cells are divided into groups whose task is to control the immune response, but also to directly destroy infected or tumor cells, prevent autoimmune reactions and act quickly when repeatedly encountering the same pathogens.
How to choose and what is hidden inside?
In the kitchen, the pulpy grains of the pomegranate are surprisingly easy to use. It goes well with meat, cheese and, of course, fruit salads and desserts. The combination of sweet and slightly sour taste can liven up even a very simple dish.
When buying, it is worth watching the weight. A heavier fruit usually indicates a higher juice content. The peel should be solid, smooth and without cracks.
The grains inside can be almost white or pinkish, distinctly red to slightly brownish. If you see that the grains are browning in the pulp, taste them first. This often means that the fruit is just wilting, but it can also start to spoil.
The taste is distinctly sweet and sour and resembles red currants. Each fleshy grain contains a tiny seed.
