Pomegranate nutrition facts

Pomegranate fruit is one of the most popular, nutritionally rich fruit with unique flavor, taste, and heath promoting characteristics. Together with sub-arctic pigmented berries and some tropical exotics such as mango, it too has unique qualities of functional foods, often called as “super fruits.”

Botanically, it is a small size fruit-bearing deciduous tree belonging to the Lythraceae family, of genus: Punica. The tree is thought to have originated in the Persia and Sub-Himalayan foothills of Northern India. Scientific name: Punica granatum.


Pomegranate fruit-Punica granatum.	Cut section of the fruit with thin whitish membrane enveloping aril sacks.

Pomegranate tree grows to about five and eight meters tall. It cultivated at a commercial scale in vast regions across Indian sub-continent, Iran, Caucuses, and Mediterranean regions for its fruits. A completely established tree bears many round, bright red, purple, or orange-yellow colored fruits depending on the cultivar types. On an average, each fruit measures about 6-10 cm in diameter and weighs about 200 gm. Its tough outer skin (rind) features leathery texture.

Interior structure of the fruit is separated by white, thin, spongy, membranous, bitter tissue into discrete compartments. Such sections, packed as sacs, filled with tiny edible sweet, juicy, pink arils encasing around a single, angular, soft or hard (in a case of overmature fruits) seed.

Health benefits of Pomegranate

Pomegranate carries about 83 calories per 100 grams; slightly more than that of in the apples. It contains no cholesterol or saturated fats.
It is a good source of soluble and insoluble dietary fibers; providing about 4 grams per 100 g (about 12% of RDA). Dietary fiber aid in smooth digestion and bowel movements.
Nutritionists often recommend pomegranate in the diet to reduce weight and control cholesterol. Regular inclusion of fruits in the diet boosts immunity, improves circulation and offers protection from cancers.
Certain ellagitannin compounds such as Granatin B, and Punicalagin are found abundantly in the pomegranate juice. Studies suggest that punicalagin and tannins can be effective in reducing heart-disease risk factors by scavenging harmful free radicals from the human body.
Total antioxidant strength of pomegranate fruit measured regarding its oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) is 2341 µmol TE/100 g.
The fruit is an also good source of antioxidant vitamin-C私人电影网, provides about 17% per 100 g of the daily requirement. Consumption of fruits rich in vitamin-C helps the body develop ability to combat infectious agents by boosting immunity.
Regular consumption of pomegranate has also been found to be effective against prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), diabetes, and lymphoma.
私人电影网Further, it is an also good source of many vital B-complex groups of vitamins such as pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5), folates, pyridoxine and vitamin-K, and minerals like calcium, copper, potassium, and manganese.

See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients: Pomegranate (**Punica granatum**), Fresh, ORAC value 2341 µmol TE/100 g. Nutrition value per 100 g. (Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)
Principle	Nutrient Value	Percentage of RDA
Energy	83 Kcal	4%
Carbohydrates	18.70 g	14%
Protein	1.67 g	3%
Total Fat	1.17 g	6%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	4 g	11%
Vitamins
Folates	38 µg	9.5%
Niacin	0.293 mg	2%
Pantothenic acid	0.135 mg	3%
Pyridoxine	0.075 mg	6%
Riboflavin	0.053 mg	4%
Thiamin	0.067 mg	5.5%
Vitamin A	0 IU	0%
Vitamin C	10.2 mg	17%
Vitamin E	0.60 mg	4%
Vitamin K	16.4 µg	14%
Electrolytes
Sodium	3 mg	0%
Potassium	236 mg	5%
Minerals
Calcium	10 mg	1%
Copper	18%	0.158 mg
Iron	0.30 mg	4%
Magnesium	12 mg	3%
Manganese	0.119 mg	5%
Phosphorus	36 mg	5%
Selenium	0.5 µg	1%
Zinc	0.35 mg	3%
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-α	0 µg	--
Crypto-xanthin-β	0 µg	--

Selection and Storage

World’s best pomegranates grown in the southern parts of Afghanistan in Kandahar, Balkh, Helmand, and Nimruz provinces.

A pomegranate fruit judged ripe when it develops distinctive color and impart metallic sound when tapped by the fingertip. It must be picked up at the right time before turning overmature; otherwise, its seeds become harder, inedible, and the whole fruit tends to burst open and spoiled.

In the markets, choose well-developed, firm, bright crimson red fruits. Avoid spotted, overmature fruits as they can be bitter and inedible. Furthermore, avoid those with surface cracks, mold, bruised, shriveled as they are inferior in flavor. At home, store them in cool dark place at room temperature for 5-8 days or more. In general, pomegranates possess long shelf life. You can also put them in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks.

Preparation and serving method

Wash pomegranate fruit in cold water or rinse in tepid water to bring it to normal temperature if kept inside the cold storage.

Pomegranate is one of the popular fruits employed in the food industry. Its value as food, flavor, and color, making it a common item in the category of new functional foods, often called as “super fruits." To experience its rich flavor, eat fresh fruit as it is without seasoning/additions. To prepare, clean the fruit using a paper towel or soft cloth. Using a paring knife, score superficially into two halves on its tough outer rind and then break it by pulling apart. Lift clusters of aril sacs out, and separate white membrane, pith, and rinds. Alternatively, hold the section of fruit upside down and beat gently with a wooden stick so that its seeds drop down detached. Separating its juicy, delicate arils simplified by performing this task in a bowl of cold water, whereby its seeds settle down at the bottom and pulp and pith float. Remove water and gently pat dry seeds using a soft cloth.

Pomogranate seeds make an attractive garnish on salads and dishes.
Fresh fruits make fantastic refreshing juice.
私人电影网Pomegranate juice can be employed to prepare soups, jellies, sorbets, sauces as well as to flavor cakes, baked apples, and other desserts.
It is used in the preparation of traditional Persian recipes such as fesenjan, made from pomegranate juice and ground walnuts rice pilaf, and delicious ash-e-anar soup.
Pomegranate concentrate is a popular ingredient used in the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean recipes. The juice concentrated to about 250% stronger into a thick sauce (grenadine). When added in cooking, it gives a unique flavor and intense sweet taste. Grenadine added to make non-alcoholic drinks, sorbets, and in several mouth-watering Middle-Eastern dishes.

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