Pomegranates
Pomegranates have been in use since biblical times. Pomegranates is one of the fruits with serious nutritive properties and that is demonstrated by the intensity of its red color. Pomegranates when cut in half resemble a heart in that it has chambers which house the fruit/seeds. Regular consumption of Pomegranates and other red fruits/vegetables help to protect the body from developing some of today’s common chronic illnesses and diseases.
Pomegranates are loaded with vitamins, fiber, and other nutrients. One cup of pomegranate seeds, provide fiber, protein, folate, vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin K to the diet. However, the main benefit of pomegranates is their antioxidant capacity.
Pomegranates contain two powerful antioxidants: vitamin C and punicalagin. Antioxidants help the body to neutralize free radicals or oxidants molecules. These compounds in the body are unstable molecules that steal electrons from stable molecules, making them unstable as well. Antioxidants in the body work to give electrons to free radicals to stabilize them which neutralizes their damaging effects. Oxidative stress is responsible for many health issues, like inflammation, adrenal fatigue, heart disease, and other chronic conditions.
Chronic inflammation has been shown to be the root cause of all chronic conditions, including some mental health issues like depression, as well as autoimmune disorders. Although inflammation is a natural and healthy part of the immune systems response to invasion, when it becomes chronic, never ending, it becomes stressor on all the body, which in-turn causes the adrenal glands to work overtime in order to produce enough cortisol to deal with that stress. Cortisol is the body’s anti-stress hormone, which maintains the heart and blood vessel function, regulating blood pressure and blood sugar levels, suppressing the immune system, and neutralizing inflammation. Some symptoms of the over active adrenal function are fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, brain fog, low libido, PMS, infertility, hair loss, lowered immunity, food and drug sensitivities, salt and sugar cravings, hypoglycemia, intolerance to stress, heart palpitations, anxiety, mild depression, and many more. Pomegranates seeds and their juice can help with all of these but have been found most healthful with the artieries by maintaining their flexibility which in-turn lowers blood pressure, reduces atherosclerotic plaque by keeping LDL cholesterol from oxidation, and improves brain fog.