Pomegranate, fruit from the gardens of Babylon

Pomegranate -fruit from the gardens of Babylon –
Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a tall shrub or branched deciduous tree from the pomegranate family (Punicaceae). Its botanical name comes from the Latin word punicius, meaning red, and granatum, meaning full of grains. Pomegranate branches are thorny, the bark is grayish, rough, and the leaves are shiny, oval and located on short petioles. From the month of May until the end of the summer period, there are beautiful, orange-red flowers on the tops of the branches, individually or up to six of them together. In October, orange, red or brown fruits, large as an apple, begin to ripen. They have a hard rind that is inedible. Inside the fruit are many dark red seeds that are wrapped in juicy, edible pulp, with a pleasant sour-sweet taste.

Pomegranate – fruit from the gardens of Babylon
The pomegranate originates from Western Asia, from Iran, although some botanists believe that its homeland is North Africa, from where it spread to Iran. It was known to the ancient Egyptians, Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans. It grew in the gardens of Babylon, and is mentioned many times in the Bible. As a medicinal tree, a fruit tree and an ornamental plant, the pomegranate has spread all over the world. Pomegranate is not only tasty and refreshing, but also a nutritious fruit. The juicy fleshy part of the seeds is extremely rich in minerals, mostly potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and sodium. As for vitamins, it has a small amount of beta-carotene, from which vitamin A is formed, but that is why it contains a lot of vitamin C and all the vitamins of the B complex. It also contains flavonoids, protein, carbohydrates, fats, sugar, fruit acids. Its sour-sweet taste comes from grape sugar and fruit acids, especially citric, which are the most abundant in pomegranates. Although it is a very valuable food, due to the considerable amount of sugar, it is not recommended as a fruit for diabetics

Medicinal properties of pomegranate
In the past, pomegranate was highly valued as an aphrodisiac, but also as a medicine against tapeworm, diarrhea and dysentery. Today, it is known that due to the large amount of bioactive substances, primarily polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins, which neutralize the destructive effect of free radicals, it is a stronger antioxidant than the already recognized foods with antioxidant activity. Fresh pomegranate juice strengthens the gums, prevents inflammation and bleeding. Fresh pomegranate juice calms coughs, helps with colds, flu and sore throat. Pomegranate stimulates kidney function and urine output. This fruit is anti-inflammatory and reduces fever. It also strengthens male sexual power. Pomegranate has been proven to help asthma sufferers, as the high level of vitamin C provides a strong anti-inflammatory effect. Pomegranate juice has a beneficial effect on the health of blood vessels.

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