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13Pomegranate (lat. Punica)
Eliseeva Tatyana, editor-in-chief of the EdaPlus.info project Yampolsky Alexey, nutritionist
E-mail: eliseeva.t@edaplus.info, yampolsky.a@edaplus.info
Abstract. The article discusses the main properties of pomegranate and its effect on the human body. A systematic review of modern specialized literature and relevant scientific data was carried out. The chemical composition and nutritional value of the fruit are indicated, the use of pomegranate in various types of medicine and the effectiveness of its use in various diseases are considered. The potentially adverse effects of pomegranate on the human body under certain medical conditions and diseases are analyzed separately. The scientific foundations of diets with its use are considered.
Keywords: pomegranate, benefits, harm, beneficial properties, contraindications
Beneficial features
Table 1. Chemical composition of oriental persimmon (according to Food+ data ).
Main substances (g/100 g): Pomegranate [1] Pomegranate juice [2]
Water 77.93 85.95
Carbohydrates 18.7 13.13
Sugar 13.67 12.65
Squirrels 1.67 0.15
Alimentary fiber four 0.1
Fats 1.17 0.29
Calories (kcal) 83 54
Minerals (mg/100 g):
Potassium 236 214
Calcium ten eleven
Phosphorus 36 eleven
Magnesium 12 7
Sodium 3 9
Iron 0.3 0.1
Zinc 0.35 0.09
Copper 0.158 0.021
Manganese 0.119 0.095
Vitamins (mg/100 g):
Vitamin C 10.2 0.1
Vitamin PP 0.293 0.233
Vitamin E 0.6 0.38
Vitamin B6 0.075 0.04
Vitamin B1 0.067 0.015
Vitamin B2 0.053 0.015
Vitamin A 0 0
Depending on the variety (and there are sour and sweet varieties), the amount of sugars can vary significantly, and the calorie content and juiciness of the fruit also vary markedly. But, in general, the juice of any pomegranate contains tannins and nitrogenous substances, flavonoids, catechins, at least 15 amino acids, up to 20% fatty oil, which includes (in descending order) linoleic, oleic, palmitic, stearic and some other acids. Various macroelements (potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron) and microelements (copper, zinc, manganese, chromium, nickel, etc.) were found in the pomegranate peel, punicin in the flowers, and ursolic acid in the leaves, which in the medicinal form can potentially prevent the process of skeletal muscle atrophy.
Medicinal properties
The scientific assessment of the pharmacological activity of the substances contained in the pomegranate indicates their potential in preventive and therapeutic measures to reduce blood pressure, normalize cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood serum, eliminate oxidative stress and inflammatory activity.
The antioxidant capacity of pomegranate juice is rated higher than that of green tea and red wine. Various antioxidants are responsible for this. One of the main ones is punicalagin, which is contained in pomegranate juice and peel, effectively prevents damage to the walls of blood vessels and, as a result, reduces the likelihood of cholesterol deposits. Thanks to the antioxidant activity of punicalagin, inflammatory processes in the brain also slow down, which prevents the development of memory degradation, thinking, and other manifestations of dementia.
80% water-metal extract derived from pomegranate seed oil and including linolenic acids exhibits anti-inflammatory activity, which, according to some studies, can be used to suppress breast, lung, and prostate cancer cells [3] . The possibility of treating colon cancer with pomegranate juice is currently being studied [4] .
Scientists recommend using pomegranate to anyone who plays sports with great physical exertion or leads a very active lifestyle. In addition to giving more strength and increasing stamina, pomegranate fruit extracts are able to block the enzymes responsible for the development of osteoarthritis (in particular, a pro-molecule that plays a key role in cartilage degradation).
Pomegranate juice is also prescribed for the prevention of iron deficiency (along with other products containing iron). However, if the problem has already arisen, to restore normal blood and grenades, and its juice is ineffective.
Use in medicine
As a remedy, pomegranates (the so-called spherical fruits), pericarp and bark of the plant were especially actively used during the formation of various schools of scientific medicine.
• In the ancient Greek therapeutic tradition, slurries from grated pomegranate fruits and flowers were used for "liver weakness", to get rid of hemoptysis and bruises (in the recommendations of the military doctor Pedanius Dioscorides). Pomegranate juice and pericarp were used to get rid of worms, which, for example, Aulus Cornelius Celsus wrote about in his writings on medicine. His 8 books, combined in the treatise "De medicina", contained for their time the most reliable and proven knowledge about the theory and practice of treating various ailments. And the fact that he mentioned pomegranate in various recipes more than 20 times speaks of the demand for the pomegranate component.
• In the Arab East, whose medical traditions were laid down in the writings of Avicenna, raw materials from various parts of the pomegranate tree were used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, inflammation of the lungs, bleeding, diseases of the liver and eyes.
• The founder of European medicine of the Renaissance, Paracelsus critically revised the ancient norms of healing, but pomegranate, pericarp and tree bark were preserved in his descriptions of methods for removing worms and treating diarrhea.
Despite a long history, pomegranate is practically not used widely in modern scientific medicine and pharmacology. However, various manufacturers willingly include it in the composition of food additives and dietary supplements. There, it often becomes the main element, the action of which is enhanced with the help of auxiliary components that have a complex activating effect on the body.
• French VISION Granatin Q10 (Garnet with coenzyme Q10), in addition to pomegranate powder, contains grape pomace. This dietary supplement is claimed as a means of preventing cardiovascular disease (helping reduce the risk of heart attack and coronary heart disease) and a drug for controlling and lowering blood pressure.
• Japanese "Pomegranate in tablets" from "FINE" is positioned as a remedy for women, helping to restore estrogen deficiency in menopause, thereby prolonging female youth, normalizing emotional mood, improving skin condition, providing prevention of breast cancer. In addition to pomegranate seed extract, the supplement contains extracts of ginkgo, soybeans, royal jelly and a number of vitamins.
• The Indian mono-dietary supplement "Pomegranate" from "SANAVI" is a pomegranate extract in its pure form (not counting the emulsifier, stabilizer and anti-caking agent), which is recommended by the manufacturer for the restoration of the circulatory organs (heart, blood vessels), lungs, liver and kidneys. It is indicated that this dietary supplement is especially useful for people in contact with sources of increased radiation or staying in an area with high radioactive levels.
In folk medicine
Pomegranate in folk medicine is used to combat atherosclerosis, anemia, dysentery, hypertension, colitis, hemoptysis, stomach ulcers, liver and kidney diseases, to heal wounds with burns and cuts, to restore hormonal balance, relieve nervousness, irritability and headache. At the same time, the most proven methods of treating pomegranate exist among those peoples on whose lands this fruit is most common.
So, for example, in Italian folk medicine, pomegranate partitions added to tea during brewing relieve tension and anxiety, improve sleep and, in general, normalize the state of the nervous system. An infusion of fruits and dried flowers has been used since ancient times as a hemostatic agent. Dried and then brewed peel of the fruit is prescribed for diarrhea as a fastener, and also as an anthelmintic agent.
Each part of the pomegranate tree is "responsible" in folk medicine for its own set of diseases:
• Bark. It is used to treat arthritis, kidney disease and helminth control. For medicinal purposes, the bark is removed not only from the branches, but also from the roots of the tree.
• flowers. Harvested in the spring, pomegranate flowers are ground into powder and then either brewed as a tea to improve the functioning of the heart, gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, remove toxins from the body, or are used as an external remedy for skin inflammations and injuries, with tonsillitis and stomatitis.
• Leaves. Pomegranate leaves in folk medicine are also used in the form of a powder, which is prescribed for coughs and sore throats.
• Peel. Infusions and decoctions of the peel improve appetite, stabilize the digestive tract, relieving diarrhea and worms. As an external remedy, the peel mixed with oil is applied to wounds, cracks, scratches.
• Grains and partitions. With the help of pomegranate seeds and partitions in folk medicine, it is customary to improve the reproductive function of men, relieve menstrual pain in women, and generally normalize the work of hormonal glands. In addition, seeds with stones strengthen the nervous system, improve sleep, and eliminate anxiety.
• Juice. In healing practice, it is prescribed for anemia, diseases of the kidneys, liver, spleen and heart. It is included in the courses of getting rid of atherosclerosis, scurvy, uric acid diathesis, asthma. In diabetes mellitus, they drink it 60 drops four times a day, and it is argued that one course of 3-4 days is enough to improve blood counts. The choleretic and diuretic effect produced by the juice is used in diseases of the pancreas and kidneys.
Decoctions
"Pomegranate" decoctions are usually prepared from the hard parts of the plant, when prolonged exposure to high temperatures is required to obtain useful substances:
• Fruit peel. For colitis and diarrhea, a teaspoon of the peel is poured into 200 ml of water and aged over low heat for a quarter of an hour. Then the hot broth "ripens" wrapped in a blanket for about 2 more hours. The strained remedy is taken before meals in a tablespoon.
• Leaves. For inflammations and sores in the mouth, approximately 20 g of crushed dry leaves are poured into 400 ml of water, which should lose % of its volume during boiling. The remaining half a glass of decoction is filtered and used to rinse the mouth.
• Bark. To combat helminths, 50 g of crushed bark are poured into 400 ml of water and first infused for 6 hours, and then additionally boiled in boiling water so that half (1 cup) remains after evaporation. This decoction (in filtered and cooled form) should be drunk within an hour. After half an hour, you need to take any laxative, and after another 5 hours - do an enema.
infusions
There are many folk recipes for infusions of pomegranate peel, flowers or bark, but one of the most discussed is the recipe for an aqueous infusion of dried pomegranate peel from the healer G. I. Glubokoy, published by him in 2007. The author in the publication promises a cure for all strains of salmonellosis, dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever in five hours, as well as getting rid of stomach and small intestine ulcers, inflammation of the colon mucosa (colitis), dysbacteriosis - in a week. In addition, the healer believes that, if the technique is followed, with the help of pomegranate infusion,
acute appendicitis can be cured and thereby avoid surgery (this statement already causes open protests from doctors).
The process of making the infusion is simple and the same for all diseases. In an approximate ratio of 1:20, 10-12 g of dry pomegranate fruit peels are poured into a slightly preheated glass container (cup, glass, jar), which are poured with 200 ml of boiling water and covered with a saucer (thick paper). This begins the infusion procedure, which lasts 25-30 minutes, and during this time the patient must be present next to the container. Crusts can also be poured with cold raw water, which is then brought to a boil, but not boiled. After this preparatory stage is completed, the peels are not discarded.
The second stage - the method of applying the infusion - for "five-hour" and "seven-day" diseases will be specific:
1. "Five o'clock" diseases. First, the patient drinks 0.5 cups of unstrained infusion and listens to the sensations for 10 minutes (during this time, the remnants of the infusion are again covered with a saucer). Improvement after 10 minutes is considered a sign of recovery and normal indigestion, and the absence of improvement is evidence of a more serious illness from those listed. To recover, you need to wait 3 hours and drink the infusion. Since recovery is expected in 1.5 hours, the entire procedure from the beginning of the first stage fits into 5 hours.
2. "Seven-day" illnesses. To get rid of ulcers, colitis and dysbacteriosis on the first day, the infusion is taken 4 times 25 ml per dose with an equal interval, calculated so that the first portion is drunk in the morning on an empty stomach, and the last one - just before bedtime. The infusion is taken during the week on odd days - that is, 4 days during the weekly treatment. All this time it is forbidden to drink alcohol. The procedure can be repeated in a week, although the author claims that even one course is enough for a therapeutic effect.
Given the danger of these diseases, doctors are anxious about this technique, but among the supporters of folk healing methods, she finds many adherents.
in oriental medicine
In a classic work on herbal medicine describing Chinese medicinal plants, three types of pomegranates are mentioned:
• with red flowers and sweet fruits (more valued in medicine than others);
• with yellow flowers and sour fruits;
• with white flowers and bitter fruit.
The sweet-looking fruits are said to get rid of intestinal parasites, alleviate thirst, and heal advanced breast inflammation. However, following the list of useful properties, a warning follows: if consumed in excess, sweet pomegranate can harm the lungs. The sour kind was used to stop diarrhea and colic. For women, this pomegranate was prescribed for whites and heavy menstrual bleeding.
Pomegranate peel, which exhibits astringent properties due to tannins, was recommended for men with "loss of seed", as well as dysentery. In general, it was used to reduce the amount and intensity of secretions of various kinds. In addition, it was prepared for infection with helminths, prolapse of the rectum and violations of motor function (with poor coordination, paralysis, etc.).
The root of the pomegranate tree, growing towards the east, was also considered healing. It also had an anthelmintic effect, and, in addition, was used to treat the oral cavity (teeth, gums). Crushed dried pomegranate flowers, mixed with iron, restored the shine and color of hair, stopped bleeding.
In Indian healing practices, the juice of sweet pomegranates has been used to treat kidneys and relieve high fever. The juice of semi-sweet fruits was needed to get rid of kidney stones and gallbladder. And sour fruits were taken to stop vomiting.
In Tibetan medicine, pomegranate is one of the foods with a very warm nature, which allows it to eliminate cold stomach (including cold stomach tumors). Pomegranate helps in the digestion and assimilation of food, relieves nausea, vomiting, belching and hiccups, protects the stomach when taking strong medicines. During treatment, this fruit is taken twice a day (in the morning and between 16 and 18 hours of the day), washed down with boiled water. For problems with the gastrointestinal tract, a decoction of fruits is used, which also enhances the fiery warmth of the stomach.
Among the indications for use, in addition, the wind of the heart, unreasonable depressive states, mental confusion, insomnia, kidney weakness and back pain are mentioned.
In scientific research
The pharmacological activity of the raw material obtained from pomegranate allows it to be used in various therapeutic programs.
1. According to a study presented at the 2009 American Urology Association Annual Meeting, drinking 8 ounces (235 ml) of pomegranate juice daily may slow the progression of prostate cancer.
The experiment involved 48 men who had an increase in the level of PSA (prostate specific agents -markers of prostate cancer) due to radiation therapy or surgery to eliminate localized prostate cancer. At the start of the study in 2003, these men had PSA levels ranging from 0.2 to 5.0 ng/ml, and the mean PSA doubling time (a measure of the severity of prostate cancer) was 15.4 months. In 2006, scientists reported that those men who took 235 ml of pomegranate juice daily had an increased PSA doubling period.
However, the study did not stop there. 15 participants continued to take part in the experiment for 64 months. For those who drank juice all this time, the average PSA doubling time increased by 4 times compared to the beginning of the experiment and compared to those who stopped drinking juice [5] .
2. Pomegranate has antioxidant, cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory properties.
The researchers decided to test whether pomegranate juice would have a positive effect on the lipid profile, oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers of hemodialysis patients. The experiment involved 41 patients. They were divided into 2 groups: the representatives of the first group were given 100 ml of pomegranate juice immediately after the hemodialysis procedure three times a week. The study lasted 4 weeks, and then the groups were switched.
After the end of the experiment, in patients who consumed the juice, there was a decrease in triglyceride levels (in the control group - an increase), an increase in the level of "good" high-density cholesterol (in the control group - a decrease). But the total cholesterol level and the level of "bad" low-density cholesterol remained practically unchanged in any of the groups. In the first group, the indicators of upper and lower pressure decreased, the level of antioxidant defense of the body increased (in the control group, it decreased). When comparing the analyzes of patients of the two groups, the changes in biomarkers were significant enough to state that pomegranate has a positive effect on the condition of patients [6] .
3. Ellag polyphenols from pomegranate are effective in gestational diabetes mellitus (a form of diabetes that occurs in pregnancy).
During experiments on pregnant rats with gestational diabetes, it turned out that ellag polyphenols prevented pathological changes and cell apoptosis in the tissues of the pancreas and placenta. They also normalized the weight of the pregnant female and her fetus. In addition, the level of glucose in the blood returned to normal, insulin resistance disappeared (decrease in the sensitivity of insulin-dependent cells to the action of insulin, followed by a violation of glucose metabolism and the development of diabetes).
According to scientists, these results create the prerequisites for the creation of drugs that women with gestational diabetes need [7] .
4. The use of pomegranate juice by patients with type 2 diabetes does not affect the insulin resistance index and changes in blood glucose levels, but reduces the concentration of inflammatory markers:
C-reactive protein (CRP) in plasma (which is absent in a healthy person), and interleukin-6 (IL-6 - a protein secreted during inflammation). The study that established this study involved 50 people aged 40 to 65 years, divided into two groups. For 12 weeks, one group received 350 ml of pomegranate juice daily and the other a placebo drink. The level of inflammation markers in the representatives of the first group decreased by 32% (for CRP) and by 30% (for IL-6) [8] .
5. Test-tube and animal studies have shown that both topical use and ingestion of pomegranate reduce UV damage to the skin.
74 women from 30 to 45 years old with skin type II-IV according to the Fitzpatrick scale were invited to take part in the experiment on humans. They were divided into 3 groups and given 1000 mg of pomegranate extract, 235 ml of pomegranate juice and placebo, respectively, for 12 weeks.
It turned out that those who consumed pomegranate and pomegranate juice significantly increased the minimum erythema dose (the minimum amount of UV radiation that leads to erythema - reddening of the skin) compared to participants in the placebo group. Scientists have concluded that daily consumption of pomegranate or its juice can enhance the body's defense against damage caused by UV radiation [9] .
6. From 2010 to 2018, 11 studies were conducted on the effect of pomegranate on the condition of athletes from different sports and just active people.
The pooled data analysis was based on a study of the condition of 176 people (155 men and 21 women, 45% of whom were professional athletes, and 55% were highly active people). Subjects consumed pomegranate juice and supplement tablets at doses ranging from 50 ml to 500 ml for varying periods of time ranging from 7 days to 2 months. The conclusions reached by the scientists:
• all the subjects had an increase in the supply of physical strength and a feeling of "freshness" before training,
• muscle pain after exercise became less acute and did not appear as quickly as without a pomegranate,
• the subjects recovered faster after heavy loads,
• in all those who took pomegranate juice, the diameter of the vessels increased and blood circulation improved,
• analysis of blood serum showed an increase in the level of antioxidant defense of the body [10] .
7. The research results of a group of Swiss scientists (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) indirectly correlate with the conclusions reached by previous researchers.
During the experiments, it was found that the substances contained in the pomegranate, under the influence of the intestinal flora, are converted into the urolithin A molecule, which is responsible for the restoration of mitochondria, which are called the energy stations of the cell. With aging of mitochondria, muscles weaken (endurance and strength are lost), but urolithin A, introduced into the body, increases their vitality and energy potential.
The experiments were carried out on old mice, whose endurance increased by 42%, and on laboratory worms, which doubled their lifespan with urolithin A. Of course, in no case can these results be transferred to the human body. Yes, and the effect of urolithin A largely depends on the individual characteristics of the composition of the intestinal microflora. However, the results provide a new basis for the development of pomegranate-based restorative nutritional supplements. [11,12] .
8. Anthelmintic and anticoccidosis activity of pomegranate peel methanol extract was tested on laboratory rodents.
Mice were divided into 4 groups for each of which a specific regimen was chosen for infection with parasitic organisms Eimeria papillata and Allolobophora caliginosa and treatment (oral by gavage) with fruit extract (300 mg/kg) and pomegranate bark extract for 5 days. Pomegranate extracts stopped weight loss in mice, reduced the number of apoptotic cells caused by E. papillata by 36%, and had a detrimental effect on adult A. caliginosa, paralyzing and killing worms [13] .
Weight regulation
Nutritionists warn lovers to use pomegranate fruits and juice in programs aimed at losing weight:
• Pomegranate "snack" quickly relieves hunger, but, like after other "fast" carbohydrates, the effect of suppressing appetite is short-lived and hunger soon returns. Moreover, it often becomes stronger, since the acids contained in the pomegranate increase the activity of gastric juice.
• Pomegranate juice is more nutritious than, for example, orange juice (traditionally used in breakfasts), by about 30%. At 100 ml, this difference is not very noticeable, but since the serving is usually 2-2.5 times larger, the "extra" calories gradually accumulate.
• There is no reliable evidence that the pomegranate diet affects fat metabolism in the body.
Thus, pomegranate or its juice cannot be called an ideal product for weight loss, although they can diversify the diet menu (in the absence of contraindications).
In cooking
Pomegranate in cooking is found in recipes:
• confectionery and pastries;
• meat and fish dishes;
• layered multicomponent salads;
• seasonings (for example, sauces, for which sour varieties of pomegranate are more often used);
• cocktails, punches, composite wines;
• compotes, jelly;
• jam, marshmallow, syrup, marmalade.
In addition, freshly separated pomegranate seeds and beautifully cut pomegranate fruits serve as decorations for various festive dishes. Among the well-known ones are barbecue marinated in pomegranate juice, pilaf with grant grains, trout stewed in fruit sauce, etc.
Pomegranate Bracelet salad, according to a number of culinary resources, is in the top 5 most popular holiday salads. In its preparation, in addition to the pomegranate itself, chicken meat (leg or breast), eggs, beets, potatoes, carrots, walnuts , mayonnaise are used. The ingredients in this salad are laid out on a plate in layers, with each layer being a ring. (For these purposes, a glass is usually placed in the middle of the plate, around which the layout is then made). The result is a kind of bracelet, which is called pomegranate here, because pomegranate seeds (usually not very sweet) are laid out in the upper bright layer.
The Azerbaijani sauce "Narsharab" is also widely known among culinary specialists ("nar" is translated as "pomegranate", and "sharab" as "wine"). Seasoning is made by thickening pomegranate juice. After exposure to the sun and digestion, approximately 20-30% of the original juice volume remains. It is added most often to meat and fish, a little less often to vegetable stew. Turkey has its own version of this sauce, but it is usually made thinner.
In cosmetology
In cosmetology, the antibacterial, protective and regenerating properties of pomegranate components are in demand. Seed oil improves microcirculation, has an anti-inflammatory effect. Juice - is able to narrow pores, regulate the sebaceous glands and reduce oily skin. Substances derived from pomegranate are used in sunscreens, creams to eliminate age spots and brighten (whiten) the face.
Pomegranate masks, creams, lotions, tonics, balms are found in skin care cosmetics of many brands:
• Weleda presents a regenerating body lotion containing organic pomegranate oil, which leaves the skin velvety and fresh.
• Korres offers a tonic that reduces the size of pores and reduces oil secretions. The tonic is made from 15% pomegranate water and is claimed to provide radiance to the skin.
• Apivita promises a similar effect with its Express Face Mask, which contains the same 15% pomegranate water.
• Murad offers quite expensive masks with pomegranate for exfoliation (peeling) of the stratum corneum.
• EOS entered the market with an inexpensive moisturizing lip balm created from a combination of pomegranate and raspberry juice.
• Burt's Bees offers a lip balm that claims to contain pomegranate oil.
• Crabtree & Evelyn sells an organic hand cream that includes shea butter in addition to pomegranate juice.
Dangerous properties of pomegranate and contraindications
Concentrated pomegranate juice can be dangerous for people with stomach ulcers, gastritis, characterized by high acidity, harmful to patients with inflammation of the duodenal mucosa (duodenitis) in the acute stage. In these cases, pomegranate juice is recommended either to be completely excluded from the diet, or diluted with water (in a ratio of approximately 1: 3-1: 4).
You can not drink pomegranate juice and with hemorrhoidal exacerbations, chronic constipation. Concentrated juice itself can provoke constipation. In addition, it, like most other fruit juices, can damage tooth enamel. At the same time, there are studies in which it is pomegranate juice that is being tested as a temporary storage medium for extracted teeth. 7.5% pomegranate juice was more effective
than 1% Hank's saline solution (usually used for this purpose) because it was better at maintaining the viability of periodontal ligament cells. [14] .
A decoction of fruit peels containing up to 0.5% toxic alkaloids can also become potentially hazardous to health. With the abuse of such decoctions, dizziness, weakness, and convulsions sometimes occur. In some cases, vision deteriorates.
Selection and storage
When choosing a pomegranate, if it is not possible to see and taste the grains in advance, the pomegranate is selected by relative weight, sound when tapped and pressed, size, external characteristics of the peel and the state of the "crown" of the fruit.
• The weight. With the same fruit diameter, pomegranates with juicy seeds inside will be heavier than the same size fruits with limp or dry grains. Therefore, heavier ones should be chosen.
• The size. Each variety of pomegranate has a standard fruit size: some varieties are, in principle, larger than others. But if you choose among pomegranates of the same variety, then it is advisable to take larger ones, since, most likely, such fruits grew longer and, accordingly, ripened.
• Sound. The first way is to listen to the sound the pomegranate makes when tapped on the peel. The dry and dull sound of thick cardboard is a sign of a drying and overripe fruit. A sonorous sound is a sign of a perfectly ripe fruit. When pressed on the peel, a ripe pomegranate should emit a specific crunch, characteristic of a broken fruit.
• Peel. The surface of the peel of a quality fruit should be even - without cracks, dents, streaks, darkening or black blotches (signs of the onset of decay processes).
• "Crown". The top of the pomegranate fruit is crowned with a calyx ("crown"). In a quality fruit, it should be red (burgundy), juicy colored (not green and not pale pink), triangular sepals ("teeth of the crown") - opened.
Due to the dense peel (in the absence of damage on it), unpeeled pomegranate fruits can be stored for about a month without observing specific conditions. To extend this period, it is enough to put the pomegranate in the refrigerator or a cool place:
• in a compartment with a temperature of+1 C , the storage period will increase to 8-9 months for sour varieties and up to 5-6 months for sweet ones;
• on a glazed loggia or in a basement with temperatures from zero to +10 C , grenades can lie for about 2 months.
It is advisable to remove external moisture and prevent decay processes by packing each pomegranate in a paper bag or simply laying out the fruits in boxes, laying them with newspapers. And in order to protect against loss of internal moisture and drying of the grains, the "crown" of the fruit is filled with a solution of clay or wax.
To keep sweet varieties throughout the year, they can be frozen by folding selected, peeled grains into a closed plastic container (bag).
Varieties and cultivation
Pomegranate grows best in the subtropics, where the temperature does not fall below -15 C. Although the fruits ripen best in deciduous shade, the tree itself needs light, so it is planted in open places. A variety of soils are suitable for the plant, the composition of which pomegranate is not demanding. In
dry regions, it is more important to provide artificial irrigation, because in such conditions without irrigation it is not possible to get a high yield, but the plant tolerates air drought well.
In the past, the pomegranate formed its own Pomegranate family (Punicaceae). Later, the family was abolished, and the pomegranate in the classification was moved to the Derbennikov family, the genus Garnet. This genus is represented by only two species: common pomegranate and rare Socotra pomegranate (growing only on the Socotra archipelago). So the entire varietal diversity of this fruit, numbering about half a thousand cultivars, is the result of a selective transformation of the common pomegranate.
Pomegranate varieties differ markedly in both the appearance of the fruit and the taste of the grains, which can be either very sweet or very sour or combine both flavors. But the division into two groups usually occurs according to the criterion of bone density: hard- and soft-pitted varieties. The second group is more demanding on growing conditions.
Each region boasts its own set of the best varieties of pomegranate, from which the top 5 can only be selected based on subjective preferences:
• Ahmar. Iranian pomegranate with a very high sugar content in grains that are light pink in color, and the lighter the grain, the sweeter it is. The fruits of this variety have a green-pink peel and are medium in size for pomegranates.
• Dholka. Indian pomegranate, which is considered the sweetest in the world, although it grows to an average of only 190-200 grams. It is characterized by very light, slightly pinkish fruits and white or pale pink grains.
• Gulyusha is red. One of the best Azerbaijani varieties with fruits up to 300-400 grams and a thin pink peel. Their large grains produce sweet and sour juice of bright red color. The variety is also popular with gardeners in Turkmenistan and Georgia.
• Achik-anor. The variety is distinguished by a very thick unusual dark green skin with a cover of carmine color (part of the shades of the red spectrum). Very large dark cherry grains have a sweet and sour taste.
• Baby. Bush decorative pomegranate, which grows up to a maximum of half a meter and is displayed mainly in room conditions for the sake of beautiful and numerous flowers. This plant rarely bears fruit. But this ornamental variety made it to the top because pomegranate bushes are generally quite often used as hedges or front garden decorations.
Despite all the usefulness of the pomegranate and its decorative possibilities, for most it is still a relatively exotic dessert fruit. However, the popularization of proven folk methods of treatment and new scientific research will allow us to look at pomegranates in a new way.
Literature
1. US National Nutrient Database, source
2. US National Nutrient Database, source
3. Faria A., Calhau C. The Bioactivity of pomegranate: Impact on health and disease. // CRC Crit. Rev. food sci. Nutr. 2011.51, 626-634.
4. Jaganathan SK, Vellayappan MV, Narasimhan G., Supriyanto E. Role of pomegranate and citrus fruit juices in colon cancer prevention. 2014.
5. Pantuck AJ, Zomorodian N, Rettig M, et al. Long-term Follow-Up of Phase 2 Study of Pomegranate Juice for Men with Prostate Cancer Shows Durable Prolongation of PSA Doubling Time. Journal of Urology 2009;181(4 Suppl): abstract 826.
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An extended HTML version of the article is available on the edaplus.info website. Garnet - useful properties, composition and contraindications
Eliseeva Tatyana, editor-in-chief of the project EdaPlus.info Yampolsky Aleksey, nutritionist
E-mail: eliseeva.t@edaplus.info, yampolsky.a@edaplus.info
Received 11/28/19
Abstract. The article discusses the main properties of pomegranate and its effect on the human body. A systematic review of modern specialized literature and relevant scientific data was carried out. The chemical composition and nutritional value of the fruit are indicated, the use of pomegranate in various types of medicine and the effectiveness of its use in various diseases are considered. The potentially adverse effects of pomegranate on the human body under certain medical conditions and diseases are analyzed separately. Considered scientific basics diets With his application.
