A number of studies have shown that vitamin-rich pomegranates may have a number of health benefits from promoting brain health to slowing down some tumors to lowering blood pressure. It may help reduce joint pain and decrease inflammation in arthritis sufferers and fight bacterial infections. And may have a natural ‘viagra effect’.
As always there are arguments on both sides, but including pomegranates as part of a varied, healthy diet will do no harm and may do a lot of good.
Dr Axe comments …
Research shows that pomegranates can help prevent or treat various disease risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, oxidative stress, hyperglycemia and inflammation. Pomegranates have even been shown to provide anticarcinogenic effects. (1) That’s right, pomegranate seeds can prevent and treat certain forms of cancer!
What about pomegranate nutrition? They’re loaded with fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and potassium …
Do you still need another reason to try pomegranate seeds? Pomegranate juice (made from pomegranate seeds) has been shown to have antioxidant activity three times higher than red wine and green tea! (2)
To make your own juice, place the arils (the juicy seed sacks) in a sieve over a glass bowl and press with the back of a wooden spoon – mash and stir. The juice will flow into the bowl and you’ll be left with the seeds. Some blenders cope better than others, so be careful if you try it in your blender. You may want to strain the resulting juice.
If you like the result of blending you could add the arils along with your smoothie ingredients.
Please turn to the Next Page for the Health-Promoting Pomegranate Raspberry Smoothie recipe
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Our recipe comes from Dana at MinimalistBaker who says …
I recently helped throw a bridal shower for a friend and it was the host’s brilliant idea to have a smoothie bar along with gourmet s’mores around a fire pit. Best, shower, ever …
This recipe … just so happened to be a total fave among guests.
Recipe: Health-Promoting Pomegranate Smoothie
Serves 2
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cup Raspberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 large ripe Banana (~1 cup), frozen
- 1/2 cup Pomegranate Juice
- 3/4 cup Orange Juice, or a whole Orange
- 3/4 cup Almond Milk, plain unsweetened
Optional, but recommended:
Slip in a handful of Spinach.
And as Pomegranates contain Vitamin K, which is fat-soluble, add 1/2 an Avocado for some healthy fat to help your body better absorb all the nutrients. It also makes it thick and filling. Of course it adds more calories, so you could reduce the banana to a half to cut back a little.
NOTE: Pomegranate juice stains.
Source: DrAxe
Recipe Source: MinimalistBaker
Photo: DrinkMeHealthy
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