Did you know the word pomegranate means ‘seeded apple’? What is it about these pretty looking arils that make them so darn good!? Here are 3 reasons why you should start incorporating pomegranates into your day:
1. To help your body fend off disease
Pomegranates contain rich sources of anthocyanins, which give them their beautiful red colour. These anthocyanins have antioxidant like properties, which help to protect the healthy cells in our body from damage caused by free radicals - a process called oxidation. Whilst oxidation is a natural process that occurs with aging, you can help reduce the amount of oxidation that occurs in your bodies by eating foods rich in antioxidants.
2. To avoid catching the flu this winter
Pomegranates are packed with vitamin C. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and immune booster, helping to fight off common virus causing flus. Vitamin C also assists your bodies to absorb iron from iron rich plant-based foods (e.g. beans, chickpeas and lentils). This is particularly important for non-meat eaters, as incorporating pomegranate arils into your meals can help your body absorb more iron.
3. To keep your gastrointestinal tract healthy
A 100g serving of pomegranate arils contains a whopping 4g of dietary fibre, which is 13- 16% of the recommended daily intake. We recommend adding pomegranate arils to salads, when baking and mixed through plain low fat yoghurt to boost your fibre intake. Fibre helps to slow down digestion, keeping you fuller for longer.
