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Why are they becoming so popular? Because they are rich in vitamins and nutrients. One pomegranate delivers 40 percent of an adult’s daily vitamin C requirement, is a good source of folic acid, and packs a powerful punch of antioxidants. “Throughout history, this richly colored and delicious fruit has been revered as a symbol of fertility, royalty, hope and abundance,” says Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, family physician and director of botanical studies, University of Arizona School of Medicine at Tucson, Ariz. “Ancient Egyptians put them in their tombs, and according to Greek mythology, pomegranates were believed to symbolize fertility because of their many seeds.” Over the years, the pomegranate’s irresistible appeal and legendary health properties have made it the subject of countless myths, epics and works of art, from Raphael and Cezanne to Homer and Shakespeare. Historical evidence suggests that it’s one of the earliest cultivated fruits. Man first began planting the trees sometime between 4000 B.C.E. and 3000 B.C.E; and some scholars now suggest that it was a pomegranate, not an apple, depicted in the biblical Garden of Eden. Interested in trying one out for yourself? Natural juice companies have created 100 percent pomegranate juice drinks along with blends to give consumers options when deciding how to enjoy pomegranate juice. A brand you may want to try is Odwalla’s new PomaGrand juices. “They contain the goodness of pomegranate and wild berry extract, both with anthocyanins -- components that have antioxidant properties,” says Dr. Low Dog. Blending pomegranate juice and wild berry extract – which is a blend of chokeberry, elderberry, blueberry and black currant -- results in a natural harmony of anthocyanins, with antioxidant benefits. |
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