Health benefits of pomegranate

Pomegranates belong to the plant family Punicaceae. The leaf, fruit rind, seeds, dried bark, stem, root and the fruit itself have a host of benefits.

Often called Nature's Power Fruit because of its usefulness, pomegranates are great for your heart since they are an excellent antioxidant. Other benefits include:

Fights breast cancer: Studies show that pomegranate juice destroys breast cancer cells and leaves the healthy cells alone.

Stabalises PSA levels: In a study of men who had undergone treatment for prostate cancer, eight ounces of pomegranate juice every day kept their PSA levels stable thereby reducing the need for more treatment such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy.

Protects your arteries: Pomegranates are known to help prevent plaque from building up in your arteries and reverse previous plaque buildup.

Lowers cholesterol: This fruit is known to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (good cholesterol).

Other benefits include lowering blood pressure, protecting your teeth (drinking pomegranate juice is a natural way to prevent dental plaque) and even prevent cartilage deterioration.