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Pomegranate Plus - Nutrient Dense Healthy Fruits

Although pomegranate has been in existence since the days of the bible, it seems like their popularity has only of late blow up in North America. Widely revered in Asian and Middle Eastern countries, the natives to these areas have been using this fruit to treat common ailments long before Modern medicine had recognized its hidden treasures. Studies really bloomed in 2000 due to a group of Israeli scientists who demonstrated its effectiveness is treating arteriosclerosis. These same scientists have also shown the benefits of Red Wine in lowering bad cholesterol.

I remember loving these sweet fruits as a child but only 2 or 3 classmates out of 30 even knew what this fruit was; I am talking 20 years ago! In the past 5 years or so, with the rise of research into cancer fighting phytochemicals, more people are becoming familiar with exotic fruits and vegetables. Pomegranate juice has become very popular as has cooking with this fruit and its juices. It has been found that most fruits and veggies have thousands of phytochemicals, many we don't even know about yet and are still learning about the benefits of these nutrients.

Pomegranates have been found to have concentrated antioxidant benefits which help fight cancer cells. Folic Acid and Vitamin C are also found in this wonder fruit.

The benefits also extent to reduce the risk of heart disease including to diabetics, helps to halt the progression of Alzheimer's and in animal experiments has shown to act as an appetite suppressant.

Surprisingly, pomegranates have 3 times the antioxidant power compared to Green Tea which has also become a trendy item! This helps us against the man made carcinogens impacting us with oxidative stress such as pollution, pesticides, chemicals and virus's. With the environment we live in today, we need all the help we can get.

Tested in humans with a predisposition for heart disease, pomegranate juice was to found reduce their LDL by 90% which is thought by many scientists to be a major cause of heart disease. On top of this, the HDL, good cholesterol, was increased by 20%. Now wouldn't you rather eat pomegranates or drink the juice instead of having to live your life on meds in order to keep you healthy? It is that simple if you ensure to eat a proper diet filled with fruits and veggies early on, including the pomegranate. The plus is that it tastes great so you do not have to resort to bitter flavors in order to get your phytochemicals although bitter veggies and fruits are usually the MOST filled with phytochemicals!

A trivia tidbit that many don't know is that grenadine comes from the French word grenade which means pomegranate. If you are not familiar with what grenadine is, I am sure you have had a Roy Rogers or Shirley Temple in your lifetime. Remember the red color at the bottom of the drink? That is grenadine. Sweet syrup used in cocktails both alcoholic and non. Of course the sugar content, whether added or naturally occurring, is very high so it is best to get this fruit in the form of solid or juice. Grenadine is to be enjoyed on rare occasion in your choice of drink or punch.

By Linda Cusmano