How to eat pomegranate?
Increase immunity, improve the functioning of the digestive tract and reduce weight, get rid of diarrhea and reduce the risk of developing intestinal infections, cleanse the body and strengthen the heart - all this is under the power of a grenade. This amazing fruit, depending on the needs, can be consumed almost without waste. What other healing properties does it hide?
fruit properties
Pomegranate is rich in chemical composition, while each of the components demonstrates a certain healing property.
The sour taste of the fruit and juice from it is due to the presence of acids of organic origin. Their main task is to improve digestion. Once in the stomach, they stimulate the production of gastric juice, which, in turn, contributes to better digestion of food.
Completely processed food is getting rid of the feeling of heaviness, stomach cramps, flatulence, heartburn. Timely and properly processed food gives the body the necessary components, energy.
The benefits of consuming pomegranate for the digestive tract are due to the content of dietary fiber and pectin in it. The first, passing through the intestines, collect and remove toxins, toxins, improve intestinal motility. Pectins also remove toxins and poisons, which contributes to the self-healing of beneficial intestinal microflora.
However, due to the increased acidity, pomegranate is prohibited during exacerbation of ulcers, gastritis, and also with pancreatitis.
The richness of the vitamin and mineral composition of pomegranate determines its firming, tonic and regenerating effect. With its regular consumption, the resistance of immunity to viruses and colds, adverse environmental factors increases.
The presence of vitamins C and E provides the antioxidant properties of pomegranate. It helps to bind radionuclides, cleanse the body, and slow down the aging process of cells. With constant use internally and externally, the condition of the skin, nails, and hair improves.
In addition, vitamin E is involved in the production of female sex hormones, so eating pomegranate has a beneficial effect on women's health - the hormonal background is normalized, premenstrual syndrome and menopause are facilitated, and the likelihood of conception increases.
Present in the fruits and other vitamins - group B, as well as vitamins A, K, PP. The first is necessary for the production of hormones, maintaining the health of the organs of vision and visual acuity. Vitamins K and PP have a beneficial effect on the state of blood vessels, participate in hematopoiesis.
In combination with antioxidants, nicotinic acid (vitamin PP) improves capillary permeability, increases the elasticity of vessel walls, and prevents the formation of cholesterol plaques. Vitamin K increases blood viscosity.
The presence of B vitamins allows us to talk about the beneficial effects of pomegranate on the nervous system. Its consumption allows you to cope with anxiety and irritability, neutralizes the symptoms of chronic fatigue, eliminates sleep problems. This group of vitamins in combination with phosphorus improves cerebral circulation, increases concentration. Pomegranate is recommended for people engaged in intellectual activities.
It is worth adding that pomegranate is rich in iron, which makes it even more beneficial for the circulatory system. This element allows you to maintain the desired level of hemoglobin, prevents anemia. With regular use of the fetus, the blood is saturated with oxygen and carries it to organs and tissues.
The potassium and magnesium present in the composition show a strengthening effect on the heart muscle. This is especially valuable during pregnancy, when the volume of circulating blood increases by 1.5-2 times. Eating pomegranate reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes, it is useful for atherosclerosis.
Sodium in the composition regulates the water-salt balance. In combination with a slight diuretic effect, it ensures the removal of excess fluid from the body, helps to eliminate swelling.
Pomegranate due to tannins in the composition has an astringent effect. This allows you to use it for dysbacteriosis, diarrhea. But with constipation, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, the consumption of the product will only worsen the condition, and therefore pomegranate is prohibited.
With diarrhea, pomegranate avoids a deficiency of trace elements, since it has an extensive amount of them in the composition.
The fruit also has an antiseptic effect, so it helps to fight and prevent intestinal infection. It contributes to the suppression of pathogenic microflora and the development of useful.
The antiseptic effect allows the use of the fetus and its components for the treatment of respiratory diseases, inflammation of the oral cavity.
When applied externally, pomegranate demonstrates wound healing, antibacterial and anti-burn properties. However, pure pomegranate juice will cause inflammation. It is correct to make infusions based on pomegranate peels, and then moisten cotton pads in them, wiping the affected areas with them.
A strong infusion of pomegranate peels is characterized by an anthelmintic effect, allowing you to get rid of helminthic invasion.
Can you eat with bones?
There is a misconception that pomegranate seeds are unhealthy. However, this is completely false, since they contain coarse dietary fiber, as well as carbohydrates. They contain iodine, phosphorus, ash, iron, as well as vitamins A, PP, B, E and fatty acids.
Due to their composition, seeds have an antioxidant effect, lower the level of "bad" cholesterol, improve metabolic metabolism and digestion. They have a healing effect on the nervous system - improve mood, improve sleep, eliminate headaches of a neuralgic nature. Grains are useful for anemia, intestinal irritation, diseases of the genitourinary organs.
With abundant and painful menstruation, the bones have an analgesic effect, reduce bleeding. In addition, their regular use, according to experts, reduces the risk of developing breast cancer. They are also good for men's health. So, in the East, ground grains have long been considered the best way to improve potency, protect against diseases of the genitourinary system.
Given the beneficial properties of pomegranate seeds, they can and should be eaten. If the fruit is given to a child or people with a weak stomach (poor digestibility of foods, a tendency to constipation), you should choose fruit varieties that have softer bones.
Some believe that eating pits can cause problems with appendicitis. However, this is true only if the allowable daily dosage is significantly exceeded.
How to include in the diet for diseases?
Gastritis, which involves damage to the inner lining of the stomach, requires a strict diet. Restrictions are imposed on spicy, fried foods, marinades. Many fruits and vegetables remain banned. Characterized by high acidity, pomegranate actively affects the condition of the gastric mucosa, so the acidity of gastric juice determines whether pomegranate can be eaten with gastritis.
So, with elevated rates, the daily intake of pomegranate should be reduced to 50-100 g per day. At the same time, it is not recommended to eat it daily - two to three times a week will be enough. It is better to serve the dish not separately, but as part of salads, as an addition to meat, other non-sour fruits. In other words, exclude the effect of pomegranate acids on an empty stomach.
With low acidity, pomegranate is useful because it compensates for the lack of gastric juice produced by the body, improves the functioning of the digestive tract. It can be eaten daily for 100 g.
An important point - these recommendations are valid only during the remission of gastritis. In an acute form, as in exacerbation of stomach ulcers and other organs of the gastrointestinal tract, pomegranate and juice from it are strictly prohibited.
Possessing an astringent property, the fruit helps to alleviate the condition with diarrhea, dysbacteriosis. Of course, it is better not to eat seeds directly during diarrhea. In this case, an infusion based on pomegranate peels is much more useful. The latter are crushed, dried, poured with water and insisted. The ratio of raw materials and liquid - no more than 1: 20.
Already after the first application, it is possible to alleviate the condition, with severe diarrhea, 2-3 doses are required with intervals of 3-5 hours between them.
Possessing an antiseptic property, an infusion of pomegranate peels, like a fresh fruit, helps to get rid of infectious intestinal diseases. It is better to give preference to the infusion, which is usually taken 30 minutes before meals 2-3 times a week. The duration of the course is 7 days, after which a week break is made.
Due to the ability to remove toxins and decay products, pomegranate is useful for intoxication, so you can drink juice from it after poisoning - food or alcohol.
The antiseptic effect allows the fruit to be used for a sore throat, respiratory diseases. With tonsillitis and pharyngitis, as well as stomatitis, gingivitis, rinsing with a strong decoction of pomegranate peel is recommended.
In acute pancreatitis and cholecystitis, pomegranate is prohibited in any form.
But during the period of remission in the chronic form of the disease, a small amount of pomegranate is useful. You should start introducing it into the diet gradually - literally from 3-5 grains a day, after which (not earlier than in a month - one and a half) bring the daily volume to 100 g. You can replace the grains with juice - start from 1 tablespoon per day, bringing the daily volume up to 100 ml. Be sure to dilute pomegranate juice with water!
With pancreatitis, accompanied by constipation or non-daily bowel movements, pomegranate consumption should be avoided. This is due to the fact that the fetus strengthens, and bile, as you know, leaves the body, including with feces.
In general, it is not forbidden to consume the fetus with pancreatitis, but only in the absence of any cases of deterioration. If they are observed (even sporadically), the pomegranate does more harm than good.
If you have diabetes, you should eat pomegranate seeds.They are characterized by a low glycemic index (35), and therefore do not cause insulin spikes.
The benefits of fruit grains in diabetes are due to their ability to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It is known that with this disease the condition of the vascular walls worsens, however, the bones rich in iron, nicotinic acid and fatty acids can strengthen the vessels, increase their elasticity and capillary permeability.
The permissible daily dose for diabetics should not exceed 100 g. Grains should not be eaten daily, but once every 2-3 days. But the consumption of pomegranate juice should be abandoned. It raises blood sugar levels.
They have a positive effect on the pancreas, liver, and also provide the body with energy.
By lowering cholesterol levels and reducing the excretion of uric acid, pomegranate is useful for gout. However, you can take it during remission, while in the acute stage you need to keep a strict diet that excludes acidic fruits and vegetables.
Rich in iodine, pomegranate is also beneficial for an enlarged thyroid gland. It also includes selenium, which suppresses thyroid inflammation and a special amino acid. The latter takes part in protein metabolism, as a result of which it becomes part of the brain chemicals responsible for the production of hormones.
It should be remembered that the level of iodine in the body may be insufficient or in excess. Both that, and another provokes negative changes in activity of a thyroid gland.
With an iodine deficiency, pomegranates can be eaten more often, adhering to 100-150 g per day. If there is an excess of this element, the amount of pomegranate should be reduced to 150-200 g per week.
With anemia, pomegranate consumption can increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood.To do this, you should eat 100-150 g of fruit daily. However, it is much more effective to drink fresh. It is better to breed it with beetroot juice.
Preparing a healing cocktail is quite simple. Juice should be squeezed out of pomegranate seeds. Grate the beets and also get juice from this gruel. Mix juices in equal amounts.
Drinking beet-pomegranate juice for anemia should be twice a day, daily, for at least 2 months. After that, you should take a break for 7-10 days, and if necessary, repeat the course.
Despite the fact that pregnancy is not a disease, it is worth considering separately the principles of pomegranate consumption during this period. First of all, it should be noted that pomegranate is useful for a future mother.
It strengthens the immune system, saves from iron deficiency anemia and prevents its development, improves the state of the cardiovascular system, in particular, blood flow between the mother and fetus. Regular consumption of this multi-seeded berry saves from puffiness.
The folic acid present in the composition is needed to build the spinal cord and brain of the fetus, the neural tube. Vitamin A is involved in the formation of the child's retina, and vitamin E protects the fetal bladder from premature damage.
With the regular use of pomegranate during pregnancy, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of miscarriages and premature births, fetal hypoxia. Finally, in the early stages of the “interesting situation”, the sour taste of the fetus helps to cope with toxicosis.
In the absence of contraindications, once a week, you can eat 1 fruit with grains. You should choose a medium-sized fruit, dividing it into 2-3 doses. Instead of grains, you can drink pomegranate juice diluted with water 1-3 times a week.
As a prophylactic anti-cold remedy, as well as during the recovery period after a long illness, it is recommended to drink a glass of pomegranate juice once a day, in which 1 teaspoon of honey is dissolved.
Daily use
In the absence of contraindications, pomegranates can be included in the daily diet - you need to eat 100-150 g of fruit per day. Of course, you can use it at any time of the day, but due to the mild diuretic effect, it is better to refuse to eat this multi-seeded berry in the evening.
Pomegranate seeds, if thoroughly chewed, give a quick saturation. At the same time, the calorie content of the product is low. Due to the content of acids in it, it is better to eat grains before meals, as they help digestion and improve the condition. However, due to the high acidity, you should not eat pomegranates immediately after waking up on an empty stomach. It is better to separate the use of fruit in a separate meal and eat it 30-60 minutes before a more thorough meal.
Those who for some reason do not want to eat the bones usually choose freshly squeezed pomegranate juice. However, the fresh is highly concentrated. If you drink it fresh, it is not safe for health, so it is bred in half with water. The amount of the latter may even be slightly more than 50%. Instead of water, you can take beet or carrot juice.
Such a diluted drink can be drunk 1-2 times a day, preferably before meals. A large amount of acids in the juice can damage the enamel, so it is better to drink it through a straw. If it is not available or you eat the pulp, it is recommended to rinse your mouth afterwards.
In the diet of a child in the absence of a tendency to allergies and severe digestive problems, pomegranates can be introduced from the age of 3. You need to start with 2-3 grains a day, gradually bringing the daily rate to 50 g. If we are talking about pomegranate juice, then you can give it in a diluted form (1 part pomegranate and 2 parts water or other juice) from 12 months, one-time volume - 30-40 ml. Both pulp and juice are given to the child no more than 1-2 times a week.
Due to the ability of some vitamins (primarily ascorbic acid) to break down when exposed to air for a long time, it is better to juice and peel pomegranates immediately before use. Peeled pulp or squeezed fresh juice will bring maximum benefit during the first 20-30 minutes after preparation (freeing from crusts, squeezing juice).
When losing weight
Pomegranate refers to products with a low calorie content, which is 52 kcal per 100 g of product. Of course, it cannot be called a fruit that you eat and lose weight at the same time (like dishes with a "negative" calorie content), but it is often used in various diets.
This is due not only to low energy value, but also to the ability to improve digestion. By stimulating intestinal motility, promoting complete absorption of food and demonstrating a cleansing effect, pomegranate is an effective assistant in the fight against excess weight.
It speeds up metabolic, starts lipid metabolism, removes toxins and excess fluid from the body. Thanks to their carbohydrate content, pomegranate seeds make you feel full and allow you to eat less. To do this, you need to carefully and slowly chew the fruit grains.
Finally, a rich mineral and vitamin composition helps to avoid a deficiency of vitamins and chemical elements in the body, which often happens when strict diets are observed.
Pomegranate for weight loss can act as an additive in compliance with the principles of proper nutrition or as the main product of fasting days.
In the first case, a person refuses harmful foods, eats often and in small portions. Pomegranate can be consumed in its pure form or added to salads, cereals, sour-milk dishes, serve as an additive to meat dishes. It should be eaten every day or every other day, observing the prescribed dosage.
The pomegranate diet refers to express diets that help to get rid of extra pounds in a short time. It should not be used more than once every 4-6 months, should not be used for more than 2-3 days.
Pomegranate mono-diet involves the use of both fruits and pomegranate juice. The effect is based on a decrease in KBZhU, the use of products that accelerate metabolism and have cleansing properties. In this case, the fruit is combined with lean meats and fish, buckwheat, kefir, egg white.
There is also a system of fasting days on pomegranate juice. Sitting on such a diet should be 1-2 days. At this time, 1.5-2 liters of juice diluted with water are drunk per day, as well as mineral water and no more than 500 ml of kefir. The latter is better to drink before going to bed. If it is difficult to endure hunger, you can add a little oatmeal or buckwheat on the water, a piece of chicken breast.
To prepare juice, you should take an overripe fruit, but not rotten. Otherwise, it will cause fermentation processes in the intestines. When following a pomegranate diet, it is better to refuse to consume fruits at night, as they have diuretic properties.
See below for details.