The pomegranate must be one of the most beautiful fruits on the planet. From the outside perhaps rather unassuming but do not be fooled! Slice off the top, the bottom, score the sides and slowly break open the fruit and out pop these amazingly beautiful deep red jewels. A little crunch as each aril explodes in your mouth and the sweet & tart juice is released… Divine!
Pomegranate is one of the oldest fruits in the world, originating out of Persia. In many cultures it is known as a symbol of health and eternal life. The Vedas, the most ancient texts of Hindu philosophy, consider it a symbol of fertility and prosperity.
Nowadays, pomegranates can be found in almost every nook and corner of the world. If not in the whole fresh fruit form, then bottled as juice. And for good reasons. It can count itself among the “super” fruits with some serious health benefits. It is one of the most nutrient dense foods with very high levels of anti-oxidants that protect us against damage done by free radicals, something which we are all exposed to due to pollution, stress, radiation from the sun, etc. Anti-oxidants also help protect against heart disease and cancer. Some of the compounds in the pomegranate have been shown to lower blood pressure, prevent plaque building up in the arteries and reverse previous plaque build-up. Studies show that it may even protect against depression and osteoporosis. Furthermore, it is high in fiber, which helps with weight control as well as digestion and it is rich in folic acid, vitamins A, C and E and plenty of different minerals.
More then enough reason to include pomegranate in your diet if you have access to it. That happens to be one of the benefits of living in or visiting India: plenty of this fruit to go around. Here is what I like to do with the seeds:
- Eat them by the mouthful
- Add them to my breakfast
- Sprinkle them over dips such as hummus and babaghanoush
- Toss them into salads
- Use the juice to make pomegranate water kefir (more on that in this post)
- Put them on top of my pomegranate cashew cheesecake
If you need help handling pomegranates, check out this video on how to remove the seeds. http://www.marthastewart.com/909553/easy-way-open-pomegranate. It is easier then you think. A little patience and presence… Consider it a practice in mindfulness… One more benefit of eating pomegranates!
Monique
