31 Days of Raw: Day #5 - Pomegranates

31 Days of Raw: Day #5
POMEGRANATES

While thinking of foods to choose for my blog, I was hit with inspiration to stick within this season’s produce.  Thankfully we have global commerce and can have pineapples, bananas, and oranges all year round, but what is actually in season in the month of October?  There are quite a few things that only show up this time of year and I’ll be going through them with anticipation.  Today’s fruit is unusual and only in stores during the autumn.  In Arizona, you can actually find pomegranate trees bearing fruit, which strikes me as remarkable.  I love that the seeds are the part of the fruit to eat and they are named “jewels”…an apt name as they are precious.  This fruit is wonderfully exciting – lots of health and medicinal properties as well as being delicious and outright gorgeous!  I can’t wait to share with you a recipe that I absolutely adore. First, let’s talk POM!

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Pomegranates

Fights Breast Cancer
Studies in Israel show that pomegranate juice destroys breast cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. It may also prevent breast cancer cells from forming.

Lung Cancer Prevention
Studies in mice show that pomegranate juice may inhibit the development of lung cancer.

Slows Prostate Cancer
It slowed the growth of prostate cancer in mice.

Keeps PSA Levels Stable
In a study of 50 men who had undergone treatment for prostate cancer, 8 ounces of pomegranate juice per day kept PSA levels stable, reducing the need for further treatment such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy.

Protects the Neonatal Brain
Studies show that maternal consumption of pomegranate juice may protect the neonatal brain from damage after injury.

Prevention of Osteoarthritis
Several studies indicate that pomegranate juice may prevent cartilage deterioration.

Protects the Arteries
It prevents plaque from building up in the arteries and may reverse previous plaque buildup.

Alzheimer's Disease Prevention
It may prevent and slow Alzheimer's disease. In one study, mice bred to develop Alzheimer's disease were given pomegranate juice. They accumulated significantly less amyloid plaque than control mice and they performed mental tasks better.

Lowers Cholesterol
It lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and raises HDL (good cholesterol).    The most important health benefit of pomegranate is that it prevents heart attacks, heart disease and strokes. It also increases blood flow to heart, reduces blood pressure, reduces plaque in arteries as well as bad cholesterol while developing good cholesterol.

Lowers Blood Pressure
One study showed that drinking 1.7 ounces of pomegranate juice per day lowered systolic blood pressure by as much as 5 percent.

Dental Protection
Research suggests that drinking pomegranate juice may be a natural way to prevent dental plaque.

Skin Care
Pomegranate juice can be directly applied on the skin for curing sun burns and also to have the healthy skin.  This fruit is also used in preparing several creams, exfoliating scrubs, lotions and many cosmetic products.
 
Eye Care
Pomegranate juice extracted from certain fruit strains may be used as the eye-drops. It slows down the development of cataracts.

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Apple Pomegranate Salad

• 1 pomegranate, jewels only
• 2 apples, diced fine
• ½ lemon, juiced

 

Open the pomegranate – check here if you are unsure how to do that – and place jewels into bowl. Dice your apples into itty bitty pieces and place into bowl as well.  Juice that lemon and sprinkle over the apples and pom jewels.  Enjoy!!! 

Variations:
1.  Sprinkle cinnamon on top, mix with some honey and it’s a wonderful pie filling.  Add a raw pie crust, and voila!
2.  Place on a bed of spinach for a delicious and sweet salad.
3.  Add to your morning granola or yogurt.
4.  Juice everything in your juicer and drink in a fun cocktail glass. ;)

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