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During the winter holiday season, we tend to see more pomegranates since their growing season is between September and February. Pomegranates play a historical role in many cultures: in Hinduism it represents prosperity and fertility; in Christianity the fruit is a symbol of Jesus’ suffering and resurrection; in Greek Orthodox the pomegranate is a Christmas tradition and signifies abundance, prosperity and good luck; in Judaism the pomegranate is a symbol for righteousness, and many scholars believe it to be the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. This dark red seedy fruit is not only festive and fun to eat, but it has some great health benefits as well. Pomegranates are dubbed as a superfood due to the fact that the juice is loaded with nutrients and antioxidants. It has been used for centuries in several systems of medicine including Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. In western medicine, pomegranates have been of recent interest and are being studied. They have been shown to have antioxidant properties and decrease inflammation, which may help prevent cancer, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, dental disease and bacterial infections to name a few. These benefits appear to be best when the pomegranate juice is taken compared to extracts or constituents.

When choosing a pomegranate, look for fruit that has bright color and is heavy for its size. To prepare the fruit, cut the crown end off the pomegranate, and lightly score the skin from top to bottom in quarters. Soak the fruit in a bowl of cool water for a minute or two then break sections apart. The seeds will sink to the bottom of the bowl and the rind will float. Discard the rind, collect the seeds and pat dry. Enjoy!

 


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