When should you not eat pomegranate?

In the expert article by Roskachestvo you will find answers to questions about the effect of pomegranate on the body and recommendations for its use. Beneficial and harmful properties of pomegranate Tatiana Ponomareva
Physiotherapist, nutritionist, dietician at the aesthetic medicine clinic “Premium Aesthetics” – Many have heard that using pomegranate juice you can “raise” hemoglobin. However, apples or citrus fruits do an excellent job of this task, but pomegranate has many other beneficial properties that you need to know about. Pomegranate is a truly feminine product. The oils contained in pomegranate seeds help maintain hormonal balance. In particular, they normalize the level of estrogen in the female body. For women, these fruits will be useful during menstruation, menopause and menopause. It’s not for nothing that women are so often prescribed supplements and vitamin complexes with pomegranate concentrate. They contain phytoestrogens, which ease the period of menopause and menopause. What are the benefits of pomegranate juice, says an expert from Roskachestvo. Useful in diabetes Very often, pomegranate is called natural insulin. This is one of the few fruits that can and should be consumed by people with prediabetes and diabetes. Doctors advise drinking 1/2 tbsp. l. pomegranate juice 4 times a day before meals. This stabilizes blood sugar levels. Pomegranate is an excellent source of iron Pomegranate increases hemoglobin – this is known to many. Indeed, pomegranate fruits are rich in iron, but it is vegetable, non-heme, which is absorbed in a volume of no more than 20%. And if you consider that in general the human body can absorb only 10–15% of the iron that comes from food, then the percentage of iron absorption from pomegranate is not very high. But it is quite possible to increase hemoglobin levels by combining pomegranate seeds with other foods – for example, beef, seafood, mushrooms. Pay attention to Iranian cuisine. In it, pomegranate is often combined with offal or red meat. These animal foods themselves are rich in heme iron, which is absorbed much better than what is found in plant foods. Plus, vitamin C and organic acids contained in pomegranate increase the absorption of this microelement. The peel is also useful! By the way, pomegranate peel can also be used for health benefits (it is suitable for preparing decoctions). It contains a lot of tannins and organic acids. The former perfectly relieve pain in inflammatory diseases of the throat and mouth, while the latter destroy infection. Is it possible to eat pomegranate with seeds? Yes! Pomegranate seeds are also good for our health. They contain a lot of fiber and complex carbohydrates, which are important for the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Pomegranate juice: benefits and harms It is recommended to drink pomegranate juice in case of anemia (in small portions, but every day and for a long time). However, in order to get the daily requirement of iron only with it, you need to drink about three liters of juice per day! And this is clearly too much for simple sugars. Pomegranate juice is also recommended for cardiovascular diseases due to its high content of vitamin K and magnesium. Pomegranate juice contains many fruit acids that irritate the walls of the stomach. Therefore, it is better to use it in diluted form. 100 ml of freshly squeezed juice should be diluted with 300 ml of water. Plus, organic acids do not have a very good effect on tooth enamel, so after drinking the juice it is better to rinse your mouth or brush your teeth. By the way, if you have whitened your teeth, it is better not to abuse pomegranate juice. It is also important to take into account that this juice contains about 15% of nutrients compared to fruits and it contains a lot of sugar. So they should not be abused by people prone to weight gain. There are many more benefits from whole grains. pomegranate juice during pregnancy Recommendations for the use of pomegranate juice by pregnant women are related precisely to its ability to increase hemoglobin. However, as I said, there are plant-based products that can do this much better. In this case, it can be noted that due to the tannin content, pomegranate juice is a good help for toxicosis and decreased appetite, which are often associated with this condition. And if a woman has no contraindications (tendency to constipation, gastrointestinal dysfunction, allergies), pomegranate juice can be included in the diet. Can pomegranate be given to children? Pomegranate can be introduced into the diet of children in the form of juice diluted with boiled water (1:1), starting from the age of one year. At first, you can give one teaspoon every two to three days. Of course, before deciding to introduce pomegranate juice into your child’s diet, you should consult your doctor. If the child does not have allergies or digestive disorders, the dosage can be increased to 50 ml, but not more than twice a week. How many pomegranates can you eat per day? If we talk about quantity, then 150 g of pomegranate seeds per day will be quite enough. If we are talking about juice, then its daily intake is 100–150 ml. Contraindications to the use of pomegranate Pomegranate contains many fruit acids that can irritate the stomach walls. Therefore, it should be abandoned during periods of exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases. And those who naturally have high stomach acidity should consume pomegranates and their juice with caution and after consulting a doctor. Storage conditions and methods

• The optimal storage conditions for pomegranate are: temperature from 1 to 10 degrees; moderate air humidity; a place protected from sunlight. This means that at home it is best to store pomegranates on an insulated balcony or in the refrigerator.
• Very ripe and sweet pomegranates lose their taste most quickly, but sour fruits, which contain less sugar, can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two months.
• In a refrigerator. To keep the pomegranate longer, place it in a container with thick walls to protect it from damage, and place it in the compartment of the refrigerator intended for vegetables and fruits. You should not keep the pomegranate in a plastic bag, as condensation may form inside the bag, which will accelerate the decay process. During long-term storage, you can wrap each pomegranate in clean wrapping (parchment) paper: it will absorb excess moisture and the fruits will last longer.
• On the balcony. If the temperature does not drop below zero degrees, pomegranate can be stored on the balcony. To do this, wrap each fruit in wrapping paper and place it in a single layer in a box, cover the top with thick cloth or cardboard. Try not to store pomegranates where they are exposed to direct sunlight: the sun can dry out the fruits and make them less juicy.
• Whole pomegranates with thick and intact skin can be stored the longest. If dents or cracks appear on the skin, it is recommended to peel the fruit, divide it into grains and place them in a container with a tight lid. In this form, pomegranate seeds can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Shelf life of pomegranate at home

A whole pomegranate can be stored in the refrigerator or on the balcony for 30–50 days. Peeled pomegranate seeds in a container with a tight lid – 3-4 days. Frozen pomegranate seeds – up to 12 months.

Is it possible to freeze pomegranate?

Yes, pomegranate seeds can be frozen, and they retain most of their beneficial properties. It is recommended to freeze pomegranates during the season – at the end of autumn, when the nutrient content in the fruit is maximum. In the future, frozen pomegranate seeds can be used to prepare marinades and sauces. You can store this product in your home freezer for about a year.

How to freeze pomegranate correctly?

Cut the pomegranate and carefully remove the seeds so that they do not release the juice. Divide them into small freezer bags and place them in the freezer.

How to dry pomegranate skins?

Pomegranate skins can be dried in the oven or at room temperature. After complete drying, it is best to store them in a dry place in a cloth or paper bag. Pomegranate skins are used to brew tea and prepare decoctions for gargling.

Recipes with pomegranate

Warm appetizer with pomegranate and nuts

Ingredients: 500 g of boiled or canned red beans, 1 cup of peeled walnuts, 1 bunch of cilantro, a pinch of ground cloves, 0,5 cup of pomegranate juice, 1 tbsp. l. vegetable oil, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 onion, 1 pod of hot pepper, 2 tbsp. l. pomegranate seeds, salt to taste.

Preparation

Boil the beans until tender, drain, and cover to keep the beans warm. If using canned beans, drain and reheat slightly. Peel and finely chop the onion. Peel the garlic and cut into thin slices. Wash the cilantro, dry and chop. Wash the pepper, remove the seeds and stem, and finely chop the pulp.

Grind the walnuts and chopped garlic in a mortar until smooth. Mix the nut mixture with onion, hot pepper, cilantro and cloves. Add pomegranate juice. Season the beans with nut sauce, add salt to taste, put on fire and bring to a boil. Sprinkle the finished dish with pomegranate seeds and eat warm.

Pomegranate sauce

Ingredients: 1 kg pomegranate seeds, salt and sugar to taste.

Preparation

Wash the pomegranates and carefully separate the seeds so that the juice does not leak out. Place the grains in a large bowl and place over low heat. Using a wooden masher with a long handle, begin to mash the grains, squeezing the juice out of them, and bring to a boil. Then drain in a colander and cool slightly. Then start grinding the seeds with your hands until clean pomegranate seeds remain. Pour the resulting juice into a saucepan and place over medium heat. Evaporate until the sauce thickens, add salt and sugar to taste, pour into bottles.

Salad with pomegranate and celery

Ingredients: 200 g celery root, 1 apple, ¼ pomegranate, 2 tbsp. l. plain yogurt, 1 tsp. honey, 1 tbsp. l. light raisins, 4 peeled walnuts, salt to taste.

Preparation

Cut the celery and apple into thin strips. Lightly fry the walnut kernels in a dry frying pan and crush, but not very finely.

Place all the ingredients in a salad bowl, including raisins, add honey, yogurt, salt, and mix. Carefully peel the pomegranate seeds, sprinkle over the salad and serve.

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What are the benefits of pomegranate? Who shouldn’t eat pomegranate? How much should you eat to strengthen your muscles?

Let’s figure it out together with nutritionists.

Pomegranate is a favorite fruit (which is actually a berry). Juices and sauces are made from it, it is eaten fresh, and breakfasts and desserts are often decorated with grains. Recently, scientists from Switzerland found that, among other things, pomegranate has a positive effect on the health of muscles and bones, especially for older people.

Member of the British Association of Nutritionists, Head of the Nutrition Department of the Atlas Holding

Pomegranate is completely harmless unless you are allergic to it.

Materials on the topic

What do scientists say?

Researchers from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics have confirmed that pomegranate helps fight age-related changes in the muscles and skeleton. It is known that as we age, we lose muscle and bone mass – this affects not only our ability to exercise, but also our overall health. New research shows that these unwanted processes can be compensated for, or at least slowed down, with the help of pomegranate.

It’s all about a special compound – urolithin A. This is exactly what is contained in pomegranate. Urolithin helps the mitochondria, the organs in the cell that are responsible for providing it with energy, to function better. During the experiment, scientists were able to find out that urolithin stimulates the creation of new mitochondria – just like physical activity. In addition, it is the only compound that restores the ability of cells to get rid of “broken” mitochondria. In young people this process occurs on its own, but with age it slows down or disappears altogether. This, in turn, provokes loss of bone and muscle mass and general weakness.

What else is useful for pomegranate?

member of the Russian Union of Nutritionists and Dietetics, co-founder of the PRO-Health online school

Pomegranate contains phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. These are minerals that strengthen the walls of blood vessels and help blood circulation. The fruit is also rich in vitamin C and is very useful in the winter season.

It is popularly believed that pomegranate increases hemoglobin levels. It is a myth. Iron is contained only in the peel of the fruit, and we, as a rule, do not eat it. In addition, plant foods generally contain non-heme iron, which is only 5-10% absorbed by the body.

To obtain a substance that restores the inner wall of blood vessels, you need to eat pomegranate seeds. It is not necessary to swallow them, just chew them thoroughly and spit them out.

Lisa: Pomegranate is dominated by polyphenols, phytochemicals that have beneficial properties. Thus, punicalagin is a powerful antioxidant with an anti-inflammatory effect. Pomegranate is also an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C and other beneficial substances. It is better to eat the pomegranate whole, and not in the form of juice, which does not contain the fiber we need so much.

One cup of pomegranate seeds weighing about 150 g contains 7 g of fiber, 3 g of protein, 30% of the daily value of vitamin C, 36% of the daily value of vitamin K, 16% of the daily value of folate (important for the formation of new blood cells and nervous system function) and 12% DV of potassium.

How can pomegranate be dangerous?

Ksenia: Let me point out that you shouldn’t eat kilograms of pomegranates. It contains a high amount of fructose, and this is fraught with at least excess weight gain and digestive problems. I also do not recommend drinking fresh pomegranate. People who already have problems with the gastrointestinal tract are better off avoiding eating this fruit altogether.

Lisa: Regarding pomegranate juice, large amounts of the concentrated drink may cause side effects if you are taking blood thinning medications. In this case, consultation with your doctor is necessary.