Authors: Ravi Kumar1 and Nidhi Jain2
1Research Scholar, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, SKN College of Agriculture, Jobner
2Assistant Professor, Tantia University, Sriganganagar
Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) belongs to the family “Punicaceae”. At global level India is the world’s largest producer of pomegranates followed by Iran, Turkey, Spain, Tunisia, Morocco, Afghanistan, China etc.. Over the last one decade, the country has registered sizeable increase in both area and production. The export of pomegranate from India has upsurged by 3.5 times during this period. There has been marked shift towards the consumption of pomegranate worldwide owing to its several nutritive, nutraceutical and medicinal properties.
It is commercially cultivated for its delicious fruits. A fully matured fruit is highly nutritive and rich source of protein, fat, fibre, carbohydrate etc. The fruit are rich in Fe, Ca, and antioxidant component like phenol, pigments and tannins. Apart from its demand for fresh fruits and juice, the processed products like pomegranate wine, pomegranate tea and candy are also gaining importance in world trade. The pomegranate fruit juice is a good source of sugars, vitamin C, vitamin B, pantothenic acid, potassium, antioxidant polyphenols and a fair source of iron. In addition, the tree is also valued for its pharmaceutical properties. It is used for treating dyspepsia and considered beneficial in treating leprosy. The rind of the fruit and the bark of pomegranate tree are used as a traditional remedy against diarrhea, dysentery and intestinal parasites. Fruit rind, bark of stem and root are widely used for tannin production.
- Pomegranate carries about 83 calories per 100 grams. It contains no cholesterol or saturated fats.
- It is a good source of soluble and insoluble dietary fibers; providing about 4 grams per 100 g.
- Pomegranates contain punicalagins and punicic acid, unique substances that are responsible for most of their health benefits.
- There is preliminary evidence that pomegranate juice can be useful in men with prostate cancer, potentially inhibiting cancer growth and lowering the risk of death.
- Regular intake of pomegranate juice has been shown to lower blood pressure levels in as little as 2 weeks.
- Pomegranate has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, which may be useful against common diseases of the gums.
- Frequent intake of pomegranate juice can maintain good flow of the blood in the body. Along with this, it decreases the risk of heart attack and heart strokes.
- Pomegranates peel, bark and leaves are used to calm the stomach disorder or diarrhea triggered due to any kind of digestive problems.
- Consuming of pomegranate fruit juice by a diabetic patient can prevent coronary illnesses.
- Pomegranate seed extract supplies iron to blood and thus, help to decrease the anemic symptoms including fatigue, wooziness and weakness and hear loss.
Referances:-
Jindal, K. K. and Sharma, R. C. 2004. Recent trends in horticulture in the Himalayas. Indus Publishing Company, New Delhi.
Sepulveda, E., Galletti, L., Saenz, C. and Tapia, M. 2000. Minimal processing of pomegranate var. Wonderful. Options Mediterraneennes , 42: 437-242.
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