Maybe you started juicing pomegranate because you heard whispers of its health benefits. Or maybe you’re already a huge fan of, say, Pom pomegranate juice and now you’re looking for a cheaper, fresher option.
Whatever it is, juicing pomegranate is a darn clever idea.
These intensely scarlet jewels of a fruit might not be the first thing you think to add to your juices, but pomegranate is a must-have when it comes to hyper-healthy, sweet fruits to flavor your juice recipes with.
Originally hailing from ancient Persia, these beautiful, bejeweled fruits have long been hailed as a very nutritious, life-promoting fruit. Early Egyptians associated the pomegranate with prosperity and ambition and King Tut appreciate these fruits so much, he took a pomegranate vase into the afterlife with him!
The ancient Greeks also revered these fruits and to this day, pomegranates are given in Greece as gifts for housewarmings, weddings and funerals as a symbol of abundance, fertility, and good luck.
9 Reasons Why Juicing Pomegranate Is a Great Idea
So what’s so special about the pomegranate that it’s come to be so world renowned?
So good for your heart
Pomegranates are infamous for their heart health-boosting powers. Scientific research reveals that pomegranates contain very high levels of an extremely potent antioxidant called punicalagin that maintains the natural elasticity of blood vessels and prevent the formation of plaque particles along the arterial walls.
Punicalagin is also found to inhibit the inflammation of ventricles that can potentially lead to cardiac arrest and other serious heart problems in the long run.
Protects against cancer
There are rich amounts of polyphenolic compounds and tannins in pomegranates that help protect our bodies against damaging free radicals.
These natural chemicals also promote the faster distribution of oxygen and nutrients in the bloodstream to keep cells sufficiently nourished to boost their resilience against harmful bacteria and viruses.
Helps lower “bad” cholesterol
Clinical tests show that adult men and women who frequently consumed pomegranates at least three times a week are less vulnerable to atherosclerosis and aneurysm.
This is due to the various flavonoids in them that significantly cut down low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol levels when ingested in a regular basis. If not dealt with properly, bad cholesterol can trigger a host of cardiovascular problems sooner or later.
A natural treatment for erectile dysfunction
On the hunt for an all natural way to give yourself a boost in the bedroom? You’ll want to try juicing pomegranate. Historical records suggest that Ancient Tunisian men used to drink at least two glasses of pomegranate juice every day to keep their sexual stamina levels up and prevent erectile dysfunction.
They were certainly on to something – in recent research, this sweet juice has been shown to increase blood flow to the extent that it improved erectile response. Of course this test was conducted on animals, but it’s results are promising for humans as well.
And it’s not just great for boosting blood flow – pomegranate juice was also shown to increase salivary testosterone levels, another important factor for bedroom activities, as well as to have a positive effect on mood.
Keeps bones and joint in great shape
Pomegranates are loaded with enzyme inhibitors that activate receptors in bone marrow that help make them stronger against disease. These enzyme inhibitors are also found to ward off toxins and free radicals that can set off bone and joint issues like osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Thanks to this, pomegranate juice has been shown to reduce the onset and incidence of collagen-induced arthritis. Plus, pomegranate extract can even reduce the severity of arthritis and joint inflammation.
Boosts the digestive system
A super interesting study found that POM pomegranate juice – which is pure pomegranate juice – was able to increase increase the amount of beneficial bacteria in the gut while simultaneously inhibiting the growth of bad gut bacteria.
This led researchers to conclude that pomegranate juice could actually behave like a prebiotic for the digestive system, which is great news because gut health affects your entire body, from how healthy your skin is to your body’s ability to ward off infections.
One of the best foods for smokers
If you’re a smoker or an ex-smoker, juicing pomegranate is a very wise thing to do since it’s been shown to increase the metabolism of nicotine so that it’s flushed out of your body faster and more efficiently.
Even more interesting, pomegranate juice was shown to have protective benefits against many of the adverse effects of nicotine. The study even went so far as to recommend that heavy smokers drink pomegranate juice as a rich source of antioxidants that can ward off “cardiactoxicity, dyslipidemia, atherogenic effects and disturbance in serum electrolytes and minerals caused by nicotine.”
Beneficial for IBS and gut conditions
Yet another study found that pomegranate extract was able to decrease inflammatory markers for cases of colon inflammation as well as to favorably regulate gut microbiota (the balance of good and bad bacteria in our intestines).
Pomegranate extract also resulted in decreased oxidative stress in both plasma and colon mucosa. All of which is great news for those of us with inflammatory gut conditions.
Improves metabolism
According to a Canadian study, pomegranates contain a number of flavonoids that stimulate the brain to metabolize body fat faster. This simply means that regularly consuming these fruits can help pick up the pace on getting rid of stored fats in the body, allowing you to lose more weight in less time.
3 Popular Pomegranate Juice Recipes
Okay, you say, those benefits are pretty awesome. But how do I get started juicing this yummy fruit? Well, you could just have 100% pomegranate juice. But as with most juicing ingredients, pomegranates taste better when they’re paired with friends.
Here’s a few ideas for pomegranate juice recipes to get you started!
Beet Erectile Dysfunction
Here’s a simple pomegranate juice recipe to keep ED at bay:
- 2 small beets or 1 large beet plus beet greens
- Pomegranate seeds from a small to medium pomegranate
- 1/4 of a medium sized red cabbage
- 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger root
Both beets and pomegranate help boost blood flow but this recipe is good for more than that – ginger root soothes the tummy and increases metabolism and the red cabbage is a wonderful source of Vitamin U, which keeps gut inflammation in check.
Vitamin C Booster Pomegranate Juice
When you need a huge, heaping dose of immune-boosting, collagen-promoting Vitamin C, here’s a delicious juice recipe to turn to:
- 2 pomegranates
- 1 grapefruit
- 1 orange
- 1/2 lime
It’s the perfect breakfast juice to keep you going all day!
Cleansing Pomegranate Juice
This yummy recipe combines the sweetness of pomegranate and watermelon with the green goodness of spinach and the water-y crispiness of celery:
- 2 pomegranates
- 2 cups watermelon
- 2 sticks of celery
- one handful baby spinach
The result is an immensely hydrating, rejuvenating juice recipe that’s chock full of antioxidants, chlorophyll and replenishing electrolytes!
Tips on Juicing Pomegranate
- Mixologists around the world consider the pomegranate as an essential in their list of cocktail-making ingredients. One of the most popular drinks these days is the Pomegranate Cosmo, which is often described as a “liquid heaven” by cocktail enthusiasts. You can make your own, non-alcohol version of this by blending pomegranate with lemon (and if you want, mint) – it makes a delicious blend that’s great to sip on throughout the day.
- While pomegranates are lovely, they can be a bit of a pain to de-seed. Here’s a video of an easy-peasy method to get all the pretty little pomegranate jewels out in a jiffy:
- Last but not least, you don’t absolutely need a juicer to get started juicing pomegranate. You can do it with a food processor or even a blender!
