Pomegranate:the fruit of life

Pomegranate: The fruit of life and good luck It is the fruit that gives Pluto to Persephone to the "dock" with Hades and the emblem of the Eleusinian Mysteries. The ancient Egyptians were buried with their dead, and is one of the three "blessed fruits" of Boudismou.

 Used as an ornament in the temple of Solomon and the robes of priests and refers to the Song of Songs in the Old Testament. In Greek tradition, is a symbol of fertility and eternity (though connected with death), so at weddings and New Year break pomegranates. Indeed, he has given his name to the Spanish city of Granada. Been launched and you the secrets of the pomegranate and learn why so many cultures and religions have the pomegranate as a symbol of fertility and good luck. Since the first trees grown

 The pomegranate originated in central Asia and particularly in Persia. It is one of the first fruit crop and the botanical name is Punica granatum. The pomegranate is a small deciduous tree with glossy leaves and orange flowers, although it sometimes looks like a bush. The fruit is round, red (or yellow when ripe) and filled with seeds. Plant is resistant to heat, drought and neglect, and adapts easily to different soils. A pomegranate a day ...

 The pomegranate is rich in vitamins (A, C, E, folic acid),( iron, potassium and fiber and are low in calories. Indeed, a pomegranate, covering 40% of the amount of vitamin C and 25% of folic acid every day is a need for an adult. It is rich in three different types of antioxidants (tannins, anthocyanins, ellagiko acid) and total antioxidant capacity has been estimated to be 2-3 times greater than that of red wine or green tea. A recent study showed that pomegranate and berry varieties have the strongest antioxidant at the cellular level, compared to 25 other fruits tested.

Full benefits Thanks to the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, astringent, healing and constipating properties, pomegranate juice is used therapeutically for centuries. Among other things, prevents the oxidation of "bad" cholesterol (LDL), which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and appears to reduce levels of total and "bad" cholesterol in diabetic patients with hyperlipidemia. Protects against brain damage, throws blood pressure and there is evidence that long-term consumption improves sexual function of men with erection problems. Also considered to help prevent skin cancer, breast and prostate cancer, but the slowdown in growth.
Used to treat chronic diarrhea, dysentery and bleeding, and treatment of osteoarthritis. Finally, cleans and protects the skin, used to treat burns and herpes virus and reduces wrinkles and ulcers. All ways to profit! Apart from the natural juice of the pomegranate, there are other ways to take advantage of its beneficial properties.

 ● Make tea: To 1 liter of boiling water, add 1 cup of pomegranate peel and cook for 3. Wait until cool and strain. You can drink 1 cup 10 before meals for 15 days. The pomegranate contribute to better functioning of the gastrointestinal system.

 ● Make washes and gargles: The leaves of the pomegranate are used, eg, in cases of hemorrhoids after each bowel movement, but for a sore throat. In a cup of water, add 8-10 leaves and cook for 10. Strain and use in the first case the mixture cool-for local washes every night-as long as necessary, and second for warm gargle 2-3 times a day.

Instructions "manual"
> How to choose There are three varieties of pomegranates, sweet, the sour-sweet and pomegranates. Regardless, however, the taste you like, go heavy with pomegranates and shiny tight skin. Of course, even when their skin shrink, the interior can be eaten.  How to clean The cleaning of pomegranates requires little time, but easy. Cut a circle and remove the peel in place of the stem and scratching up the bottom, without pressing a knife as you do with an orange. Then open the pomegranate in half and remove seeds.

 > How to keep Pomegranates keep several days without refrigeration or dark, whether hung together with the branch. If you want to keep for several months, you can save at the bottom of the refrigerator. To keep them even more, you can clean them and store in the freezer, wrapped in a special box or bag of food. So, whenever you need seeds, you get just those you want.

> How to get the juice In many recipes, except the seeds of the pomegranate, used juice.   There are therefore two ways to get the juice from the fruit: either squeeze pomegranates in styfti as you do with oranges, or squeeze the fruit in a colander. Indeed, unlike the first case, the second stay in the strainer and the membranes separating the seeds, which give a slightly sour taste in juice
 Nutritional Analysis by Pomegranate (about 280 gr.)
 * Energy 234 kcal
4.71 g protein.
3.30 g fat.
Carbohydrates 52.73 grams.
11.3 grams fiber.
Calcium 28 mg
0,85 mg iron
Magnesium 34 mg
Phosphorus 102 mg
Potassium 666 mg
Sodium 8 mg
Zinc 0,99 mg
Copper 0,446 mg
1,4 mcg Selenium
Vitamin C 28,8 mg
Niacin (B3) 0,826 mg
Folic Acid 107 mcg
Vitamin E 1,69 mg
Vitamin K 46,2 mcg

* Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 21 (2008)