The benefits of pomegranate: strengthen the body's immunity to prevent Alzheimer's

Pomegranate may be the umpteenth choice of choice as a healthy snack in the afternoon. The reason is, to be able to enjoy the pulp, you have to go through a rather troublesome process to peel the skin. Pomegranate juice can also leave stains on hands and clothes which can be messy. In fact, there are many benefits of pomegranate that are a pity to miss.

Pomegranate is one of the healthiest fruits on earth. Many studies have shown that this pomegranate fruit has tremendous benefits for your body, including lowering the risk of all kinds of diseases. Anything?

What are the benefits of pomegranate for health?

Like strawberries, pomegranates are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, as well as fiber and anti-inflammatory agents. But more than that, research has found that eating fresh pomegranates or simply drinking pomegranate juice can help protect the body from several diseases. Here are eight benefits of pomegranate that you must know.

1. Relieve arthritis pain and joint pain

The flavonol antioxidants present in pomegranate can help block inflammation that causes osteoarthritis and cartilage damage.

2. Lower blood pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the most common trigger conditions for heart attacks and strokes. A meta-analysis study published in the journal Pharmacological Research found that regularly drinking pomegranate juice can lower systolic blood pressure levels in as little as 2 weeks - the most optimal results seen in 12 weeks.

Pomegranate juice is rich in polyphenol antioxidants that can fight atherosclerosis and inflammation of blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure. Gradually, the benefits of pomegranate will also appear in lowering cholesterol and overall heart health.

3. Increase immunity

Vitamin C is one of the important vitamins for preventing disease and enhancing the body's immune system. One pomegranate provides about 40 percent of your daily vitamin C needs. But remember, if you choose to consume pomegranate juice, drink homemade juice that uses fresh fruit to get the maximum benefits. Vitamin C will break when it goes through the pasteurization process.

Apart from that, the antioxidants contained in pomegranates also work to protect you against infections related to dialysis, or kidney disease, as well as complications of cardiovascular disease. Pomegranates contain powerful antioxidants that work against inflammation throughout the body and prevent oxidative stress and free radical damage.

4. Against viral and bacterial infections

Pomegranate can prevent disease and fight infection. Pomegranate has been shown to have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties in laboratory tests. The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects of pomegranate can protect against infections and inflammation in the mouth. These include conditions such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and denture stomatitis.

The benefits of pomegranate have also been demonstrated against several types of bacteria, including Candida albicans, which causes vaginal infections. The benefits of pomegranate for other infections are still being investigated.

5. Resist hunger

Pomegranates are high in fiber. In 180 grams of pomegranate, there are 7 grams of fiber.

Fiber is one of the most important nutrients for maintaining a healthy body weight. Foods that are high in fiber can keep you full longer, thus avoiding you from snacking fad in the afternoon. Eating fresh pomegranate is the ultimate way to get its nutrients down to the last drop, but there are a variety of interesting ways to incorporate pomegranate into your diet - for example, sprinkle fresh pomegranate seeds over your oatmeal, quinoa, or yogurt puree as a delicious, nutritious topping.

6. Prevent cancer

A study from the University of California found that certain components in pomegranates can slow down the development of reproductive prostate cancer cells, and even trigger cancer cell death (apoptosis). In an Israeli study, researchers found that pomegranate juice can prevent and destroy breast cancer cells.

7. Reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease

Pomegranate seems to play an important role in helping the sharpening of verbal and visual memory in the elderly who routinely drink 250 ml of pomegranate juice every day for a long period of time.

Pomegranate contains a polyphenol called punicalagin which is believed to be the source of its anti-inflammatory properties. An animal study showed that mice given pomegranate juice experienced slower buildup of amyloid plaque than mice that did not consume pomegranate juice. Amyloid plaques are plaques that build up between the nerve cells of the brain, which are suspected to be the main cause of Alzheimer's disease.

8. Increase sex drive and fertility

The high antioxidant content in pomegranates can reduce oxidative stress in the body and can support how good your fertility is. Oxidative stress has been shown to cause decreased sperm quality and decreased fertility in women. The antioxidants in pomegranate juice can also reduce oxidative stress on the placenta. Apart from that, another benefit of pomegranate is that it increases testosterone levels in both men and women, the main factor that triggers sex drive.