Pomegranates

Pomegranates (Punica granatum) are round fruits with a tough outer skin and many small bright red fleshy seeds held together in the matrix of a white pith.


Health Benefits of Pomegranates:

• Increased Immune Function
• Protection Against Heart Disease
• Alleviation of Cardiovascular Disease
• Alleviation of Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
• Osteoporosis Protection
• Stroke Prevention
Pomegranates are high in polyphenol antioxidants which could be linked to a decreased risk of heart disease.
*Some of these health benefits are due to the nutrients highly concentrated in Pomegranates, and may not necessarily be related to Pomegranates.

Nutrition Facts Pomegranates Raw Serving Size 100g Calories 68 % Daily Value* Total Fat 0.3g 0%     Saturated Fat 0.038g 0% Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 3mg 0% Total Carbohydrate 17.17g 6%     Dietary Fiber 0.6g 2%     Sugar 16.57g ~ Protein 0.95g ~ Vitamin A 0% • Vitamin C 10% Calcium 0% • Iron 2% *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Vitamins   %DV Vitamin A 0IU 0%     Retinol equivalents 0μg ~     Retinol 0μg ~     Alpha-carotene 0μg ~     Beta-carotene 0μg ~     Beta-cryptoxanthin 0μg ~ Vitamin C 6.1mg 10% Vitamin E 0.6mg 2% Vitamin K 4.6μg 6% Vitamin B12 0μg 0% Thiamin 0.03mg 2% Riboflavin 0.03mg 2% Niacin 0.3mg 2% Pantothenic acid 0.596mg 6% Vitamin B6 0.105mg 5% Folate 6μg 2%     Folic Acid 0μg ~     Food Folate 6μg ~     Dietary Folate Equivalents 6μg ~ Choline 7.6mg ~ Lycopene 0μg ~ Lutein+zeazanthin 0μg ~

Minerals   %DV Calcium 3mg 0% Iron 0.3mg 2% Magnesium 3mg 1% Phosphorus 36mg 4% Sodium 3mg 0% Potassium 236mg 7% Zinc 0.12mg 1% Copper 0.07mg 4% Manganese ~mg ~% Selenium 0.6μg 1% Water 80.97g ~ Ash 0.61g ~ Useful Stats Percent of Daily Calorie Target (2000 calories) 3.4% Percent Water Composition 80.97% Protein to Carb Ratio (g/g) 0.06g

How to choose Pomegranates: The trick to picking a good pomegranate is to be sure you are not picking a dry pomegranate. Avoid pomegranates that have indentions, and check the top portion of the stem to be sure it doesn't look dry and withered.

How to store Pomegranates: Keep pomegranates in a cool humid environment like your fridge. To create this you can keep them in a plastic bag with a wet paper towel. Kept this way pomegranates can last for 2-3 months.

Climate and origin: Pomegranates originated somewhere between the south of Iran to the Himalayas in Northern India. Favoring sub-tropical climates, pomegranates do well in zones 8-10, with some varieties able to survive in zone 7. (Zones are for the U.S.)

Taste: Pomegranates have lightly fragrant sweet taste and a crisp juicy texture. Due to the amount of seeds, pomegranates can be a bit of a challenge to eat.

Miscellaneous information: Pomegranates are seen as a holy symbol in the Abrahamic religions, and can often be seen depicted in iconic works of art.