Paige Gabriel Nutrition 280 Final Assignment Pomegranates: The Magical Fruit Originating in Persia, the pomegranate tree

has glossy deep green leaves and bright red flowers. The blossoms it produces are fragrant and lovely. The pomegranate fruit is large and filled with ruby red seeds that are sweet, yet somewhat tart. This beautiful fruit has been included throughout history and medicine for thousands of years. Today, with the help of science, we are finding out more important information about the pomegranate. We are learning more of its health properties and finding how this fruit has been connected to many cultures. It is giving us another connection to health, faith, and celebration. Who could have known that a fruit could have so much impact on history and health? I first learned about pomegranates from a grocery store. I happened to be shopping with my mom and ran across this odd looking fruit. Since I love fruit, and was highly curious, I bought one for myself. When I got home, I was very surprised to find a million little berries on the inside. It was very beautiful, but messy. I later learned that it is also used in juices and desserts here in America. What I find interesting about them is that they have many connections it has to different traditions and cultures around the world. In an article by Middle East

magazine, they talk about a couple different cultures that have used pomegranates. Dried pomegranates have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs and were mentioned in the Mesopotamian cuneiform dating from the middle of the third millennium BC. I have traveled many places and have been too many amazing countries. While in Mexico, my father and I ate

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at an elegant restaurant. Each night, the chef prepared a special menu. Because pomegranates were in season during the time, our whole meal incorporated them! Our salads were sprinkled with the thin membrane on the inside of the fruit and our hot pepper was stuffed with a blend of ground chorizo, guacamole, beans, and pomegranate seeds! Our dessert was a dark chocolate flan with pomegranate syrup. This super fruit is used all around the world for its health properties. Pomegranates have been used in folk medicine for millions of years. Healers in the Middle East, Iran and India use different parts of the fruit to cure everything you can imagine. Today, with the help of science, we are learning more about the special properties of this mystical fruit. As stated by an article in Better Nutrition in 2010, studies have mainly focused on the juiced and extracts of the fruit. It has been shown that some benefits include increased blood flow, protection against certain cancers, improved recovery from exercise and may help promote a healthy immune system. Its high levels of vitamin C contribute to a healthy diet. Its

antioxidant properties may be more powerful than vitamins C and E at protecting the skin and cells from damage. It truly is a miraculous fruit. There are also many peculiar things about the mystical juices of the pomegranate. One of these peculiar things is the pomegranates unusual sugars. Researchers in Israel found that the natural sugar in pomegranate does not act like sugar in other fruit juices, which raise blood sugar (Better Nutrition). Instead, it reduced the development of atherosclerosis 1 . They believe that the sugars attach to unique antioxidants, making them protect the body against atherosclerosis. In another article by Nutrition Reviews it stated that, A recently reported study on the supplementation of pomegranate juice (PJ), pomegranate fruit liquid extract (POMxl), pomegranate polyphenol powder extract (POMxp), or

A major degenerative disease of the arteries. Nutrition Reviews Vol. 67(1):4956

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pomegranate ground flowers extract (POMf) in an atherosclerotic mouse model for 3 months revealed a significant reduction in the atherosclerotic lesion area compared to the water-treated group. Maybe it is possible that we can one day harness those special sugars to create healthier sweets for people with diabetes. In a very interesting article by Susan Strugeon and Alaune Ronnenberg, their studies on pomegranates and the possible prevention of breast cancer concluded that pomegranate juice may help estrogen receptors respond differently. This may mean that pomegranate juice could prevent breast cancer. I find it absolutely amazing that this gem may help us understand and prevent cancers. There are many more properties to this amazing fruit and much is still unknown about its health benefits, but what we do know is that it has had a history of faith.

Whence come thy garden plants? So brave? So Choice? They Almugs be'nt from Ophirs golden land: But Vines and Pomegranates of Paradise Spicknard, Sweet Cane, and Cynamon plants here stand. What heavenly aire is breezing in this Coast? Here blows the Trade winde of the Holy Ghost.
-Edward Taylor

The pomegranate has some deep ties within various religions all across the globe. Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam all have ties to the ruby-red fruit. According to the Koran, pomegranates grow in the gardens of paradise and in Islamic tradition, every seed of a pomegranate must be eaten, because one cant be sure which seed came from paradise. (Middle East Magazine). The article also tells that the Prophet Mohammed may have told his followers to eat pomegranates to help ward off negative energy. The oldest religious

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texts of Hinduism, the Vedas, hold the pomegranate as a symbol of fertility and prosperity. It is one of nine fruits to be offered to the Durga, the goddess of retribution and justice.2 Another article by Jules Janick, talks about a several fruits of the bible. One being the pomegranate, which is used profusely in Jewish iconography, is once again admired for its medicinal properties. In Genesis, the first book of the Torah, the fruit that prompted Adam and Eve's expulsion from Eden may have been the pomegranate, some scholars say. It's not likely, they argue, that apples flourished in that first garden. (Nancy Haught). It is in Jewish tradition that every pomegranate holds 613 seeds, one for each commandment in the Torah. Haughts article also touches on the symbolism in Christianity and religious paintings. The fruit is a symbol of the wholeness of suffering and resurrection of Christ. Pomegranates also hold a celebratory and ceremonial aspect. This mystical fruits are consumed on the second night of Hashanah to serve the purpose as the new fruit. Before consuming the fruit, it is blessed after the wine but before washing ones hands to bless the bread. As mentioned before, this is important within Jewish faith for pomegranates are praised in Israel. Their seeds represent the 613 commandments from the Torah. On a more modern note,

pomegranates have their own festival here in the United States! A town in California, called Madera, had its second annual pomegranate festival and celebration just this last November. The festival holds a list of events including a pomegranate recipe contest and a pomegranate wine tasting. It goes to show that even after thousands of years; the pomegranate has the ability to make traditions both old and new. The pomegranate has been around for millions of years. This mystical fruit has

connected years of culture, medicine, and faith. It shows us that as human beings we had the
2

Information given by an article written by Nancy Haught for Religion News Service.

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want and love to pass on traditions and healing to other people, who may or may not have been our own. That is what bonds food to meaning in this world. To be able to connect with other people and extend our faith and love regardless of who they are is important. We must pass on the traditions and values of each society so it can grow and benefit another. The pomegranate did not grow all over the globe; people brought it with them and shared it with those they met. Its what we need to do with our love and knowledge to build a better future for our health, traditions and values.

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Works Cited: Basu, Arpita, and Kavitha Penugonda. "Pomegranate Juice: A Heart-Healthy Fruit Juice." Nutrition Reviews 67.1 (2009): 49-56. Health Source - Consumer Edition. Web. 12 April 2013. Janick, Jules. "Fruits Of The Bibles." Hortscience 42.5 (2007): 1072-1076. Academic Search Premier. Web. 10 April 2013. "Pomegranate." (n.d.): Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. Web. 10 April 2013. "Pomegranate: The Fruity Superfood." Middle East 395 (2008): 35. Academic Search Premier. Web. 11 April 2013. "Pomegranate Festival: Saturday Nov. 3rd!" Pomegranate Festival & Celebration. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. Sturgeon, Susan R., and Alayne G. Ronnenberg. "Pomegranate And Breast Cancer: Possible Mechanisms Of Prevention." Nutrition Reviews 68.2 (2010): 122-128. Health Source Consumer Edition. Web. 10 April 2013. Shimoni, Giora. Celebrating with Pomegranates. Kosherfood.about.com. Web. 12 April 2013 Taylor, Edward, (16451729). "Meditation 64: Can. 6.11. To SeeIf The Vine Flowrisht, And The Pomegranate Bud." Columbia Granger's Poetry Database (n.d.): Columbia Granger's Poetry Database. Web. 12 April 2013. Tweed, Vera. "Check Out: Supplements. Pomegranate: Nutritional Jewel." Better Nutrition 72.12 (2010): 24-25. Health Source - Consumer Edition. Web. 11 April 2013.