Introduction
The pomegranate is an important fruit, also known as the fruit of heaven. It is native to Iran and the northwest Himalayas. Its tree thrives well in temperate and subtropical regions. The plant is drought-tolerant and requires hot summers and cool winters. However, continuous exposure to sub-freezing temperatures is not suitable for tree propagation. The top producers of pomegranates are India, China, Iran, turkey etc. Besides being consumed as a fresh fruit and juice, pomegranates are also processed into different products such as jams, pastes and beverages. They are also used as coloring and flavoring agents.
Morphological Characteristics
The pomegranate belongs to the family “Punicaceae”. The plant is a shrub, 6-10m in height. It is an evergreen shrub, bearing thorny branches. The flowers present on tree are red in colour. Each branch bear two to seven flowers at periphery. The ripe fruit is red in colour, having 600 arils present under thick layer of skin. The bunches of arils are separated by white spongy tissue and membranous walls.
Nutritional Composition and Health benefits
It contains all nutrients which are essential and easily digestible. Pomegranate refreshes mentally and physically tired. It quenches thirst and cure hunger.
1: Carbohydrate
Pomegranates have good content of carbohydrates. The sugar content is 10/100g of fruit’s weight. Glucose is prominent sugar in pomegranates. They also contain fructose.
2: Fibre
This fruit contain medium amount of fibre with pectin as major fibre.
3: Protein
The amount of protein in pomegranates in good. The predominant amino acids are aspartic acid, arginine and glutamine.
4: Lipid
Despite being low in fats, pomegranate have both saturated and unsaturated fats with saturated as dominant ones.
5: Vitamins and Minerals
Pomegranates are rich in minerals and vitamins. Minerals include magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, iron, zinc, manganese and selenium.
6: Phytochemicals
Pomegranates contain different phytochemicals including simple molecules (phenolic acids, tannins) and highly polymerized compounds ( melanin, lignans).
Health Benefits
1: Improving skin health
There are some factors which accelerate the normal aging process which includes immune suppression, prolong exposure to UV radiations and oxidative stress etc. Pomegranates play an important role in reducing this issue. They contain polyphenols which downregulate the intracellular ROS formation and enhance the intracellular antioxidant activity. Intake of pomegranate juice whiten skin.
2: Anti-microbial Activity
Pomegranate exhibits bactericidal effects against many bacteria including Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Proteus vulgaris, and salmonella typhi. This antimicrobial effect is due to presence of phytochemicals such as tannins, phenols and anthocyanins. Antimicrobials have different mechanisms of action. Some cause hindrance in metabolic enzyme activities while others disrupt the cell membrane.
3: Gastroprotective activity
Pomegranates also have gastroprotective activity due to presence of phytonutrients such as tannins, flavonoids and saponins.
4: Anti-cancer activity
Pomegranates also possess anti-cancer activity.
5: Protection against cardiovascular diseases (CVD)
Pomegranates helps in maintaining cardiovascular health.
6: Protection from hypertension
Pomegranate juice intake reduce hypertension. This anti-hypertensive effect is due to presence of antioxidants such as tannins. Tannins reduce hypertension by inhibiting angiotensin converting enzyme.
7: Anti-diabetic effect
Intake of Pomegranates juice help in reducing blood glucose levels by blocking alpha-glucosidase activity. This hypoglycaemic effect is due to presence of oleanolic, gallic acid and ursolic acid.
8: Anti-inflammatory activity
Pomegranates also possess anti-inflammatory activity.
9: Antioxidant
Antioxidant activity in pomegranates is due to presence of phenolic compounds e.g., punicalagin, anthocyanins.
Conclusion
Pomegranate is an important fruit. It is also known as fruit of heaven. It possesses pharmacological, pharmaceutical and medicinal benefits. It protects humans from many life-threatening diseases such as diabetes, cancer, hypertension, gastric ulceration and cardiovascular diseases etc. These benefits are due to presence of important nutrients especially phytonutrients.