What are the benefits of eating pomegranate seeds?
What are the health benefits?
- Nutrients. Pomegranates are rich in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. ...
- Low calorie. With 234 calories in an entire pomegranate, it’s a relatively low-calorie food. ...
- Antioxidants. Pomegranate seeds contain a high number of antioxidants, which help protect the body against inflammation and free radical damage.
What are the health benefits of eating a pomegranate?
Pomegranates have an impressive nutrient profile — one cup of arils (174 grams) contains ( 2 ):
- Fiber: 7 grams
- Protein: 3 grams
- Vitamin C: 30% of the RDI
- Vitamin K: 36% of the RDI
- Folate: 16% of the RDI
- Potassium: 12% of the RDI
Is it okay to swallow pomegranate seeds?
Yes it's OK to swallow pomegranate seeds. Pomegranate Seeds are edible and safe to eat and you get nutrients, vitamins and minerals from the pomegranate seeds. The pomegranate and the pomegranate seeds are all safe to eat and edible and healthy for you.
How to prepare a pomegranate for eating?
How to cut a pomegranate
- Roll the fruit first to loosen the seeds.
- Score around the middle and tear it open into halves. ...
- Hold each half over a bowl, seeds facing down and tap the skin with a wooden spoon, squeezing a little to release the seeds.
- Alternatively, score four lines from top to bottom to quarter the pomegranate.
What are the seeds of a pomegranate called?
Pomegranate seeds are enclosed in small, red, jewel-like drops called arils . The material inside the arils is tart and juicy, and surrounds the white seeds of the pomegranate fruit. When a pomegranate is cut, you might assume the arils are the seeds, but this is a misconception. The arils and crunchy white seeds are the only edible portions ...
Why are pomegranate seeds considered super foods?
Pomegranate seeds are often considered "super foods" because of their nutrient content. Image Credit: oxyzay/iStock/GettyImages. Considered "super foods" because of their healthy nutrient content , pomegranates are available mostly between the months of October and January.
How many calories are in a half cup of pomegranate seeds?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a half-cup serving contains 72 calories, along with 8.9 milligrams of the antioxidant vitamin C. Advertisement.
How to get rid of seeds in pomegranate juice?
Keep in mind, however, that the juice is likely to break from the arils, so this technique is best saved for making pomegranate juice.
Is pomegranate juice a super food?
Advertisement. One of the reasons pomegranates are known as a "super food" is this antioxidant content. According to Healthline.com, "pomegranate juice has been found to have three times the antioxidant activity of red wine and green tea.". The same half-cup serving size also has 205 milligrams of potassium, and traces of heart-healthy ...
Can you eat pomegranate seeds?
In fact, you might enjoy the variations in texture. Still, you don't have to eat the seeds if you don't care for the texture.
Can you eat pomegranate seeds without eating them?
To Seed or Not to Seed. While pomegranate seeds are edible, not everyone appreciates them. In fact, you might seek only the juicy arils wrapped around the seeds. You can still gain some of the nutritional benefits of the pomegranate without eating the seeds. The choice is purely based on preference.
How to store pomegranate seeds?
Safe plastic spikes hold the fruit in position so you can knock the seeds into the bowl. Simply drain the juice using the attached plastic sieve and pour it through the spout. For long term storage of pomegranate seeds, pop the enclosed lid on the Pomegranate Deseeder, and place it in the refrigerator.
How long can you keep pomegranate?
If you plan to eat it within a week of purchase, a dry, cool ventilated space will work great. Any longer than a week, it’s best stored in the fridge and will keep there for up to two months.
How long can pomegranate seeds be stored?
Start by freezing the pomegranate seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet for two hours. Then store in a freezer-proof bag or container for up to one year. Juice can be frozen for up to one year as well.
How to tell if pomegranate is ripe?
How to Tell if Pomegranates Are Ripe. Start by picking a ripe pomegranate. According to the Pomegranate Council, pomegranates are picked when they are already ripe and ready to eat. That means there’s no need to ripen these fruits at home as you do with other fruits. Generally, the heavier the pomegranate, the more juice it contains, ...
How long does it take to remove seeds from a pomegranate?
With the Pomegranate Deseeder, you can remove seeds from a pomegranate in under two minutes.
How to get pith off of a fruit?
Once all the seeds are in the bowl, use your fingers to pick off any remaining pith. The water will soften the pith for easier removal and prevent staining. Strain out the water and you’re left with just the fruity goodness.
How to get seeds out of fruit?
Pick off the skin and pith as you go along. Then using a spoon, scoop out the seeds and place them into a bowl of cold water.
How to score pomegranate seeds?
Score the Pomegranate. Use a sharp knife to cut just through the peel of the pomegranate from stem to end along the white sections that run from the center to the peel between the seeds—there should be six sections to score between. Note that you are cutting into but not through the pomegranate.
How to get pomegranate seeds out of bowl?
Working over a clean work surface or bowl, turn each pomegranate section " out." Take the edges of the section and pull them back towards you to push the seeds out towards the bowl .
How to pull pomegranate apart?
Pull the pomegranate apart into halves or sections. Follow the sections of the pomegranate as divided by the white pith as much as possible (this is where the fruit will naturally pull apart in most cases) and using the scored cuts you made to help you out.
Do pomegranates ripen after picking?
Pomegranates should feel heavy for their size and be free of cuts, slashes, or bruises. Pomegranates do not ripen after they're picked but bruise easily when ripe. This means a lot of pomegranates are picked a bit under-ripe.
What Is a Pomegranate?
A pomegranate is a fruit that comes from a tree that can grow up to 10 meters (33 feet), but is usually trained to remain shorter. A pomegranate is a reddish, round fruit, with what looks like a crown on the end opposite the stalk. The skin is quite hard, but can be cut. When it is cut in half, the pomegranate reveals many seeds.
Can You Eat Pomegranate Seeds?
Not only can pomegranate seeds be eaten, they are also the most often eaten part of the pomegranate fruit.
Why Should You Eat Pomegranate Seeds?
On one level, you should eat pomegranate seeds because they are the only edible part of the fruit. So, if you intend to eat a pomegranate at all, it is the seeds you will eat.
Is a Pomegranate Seed Just a Seed?
Here, the answer is ‘no’. What we easily call pomegranate seeds are actually called ‘arils’. These are made up of two parts: a white seed and a pocket of juice around it.
How Are Pomegranate Seeds Good For Me?
Pomegranates, particularly their seeds, are described as being a ‘super food’, because they contain a lot of elements that are good for your health. They are also strong antioxidants, which helps to prevent inflammation in your body and also free radical damage.
When Can I Find Pomegranates?
Pomegranates are a winter fruit and are readily available from fall to late winter. Some retailers will be able to find pomegranates during other seasons.
How Do I Get Hold of Pomegranate Seeds?
The obvious source of pomegranate seeds is the fruit themselves. Over winter, you will find the fruits and seeds in the shops. This does mean you will need to take the seeds out of the fruits yourself.
What are some ways to eat pomegranate seeds?
Here are some ways you can enjoy pomegranate seeds: Toss them into a green or fruit salad. Sprinkle some seeds onto your yogurt or oatmeal.
How to get seeds out of pomegranate?
First, cut the fruit in half around the middle. Then, hold it over a bowl with the seed side facing down. Firmly hit the pomegranate skin with the back of a wooden spoon until all the seeds have fallen out.
How long can you keep pomegranate seeds?
You can store leftover pomegranate seeds in your freezer for up to 12 months. Simply freeze them on a baking sheet for 2 hours, then collect them in freezer bags ( 2 ). To better enjoy your pomegranate, consider choosing a ripe fruit, eating only the seeds, and freezing leftovers for later use.
How many arils are in a pomegranate?
Inside the thick-skinned fruit are approximately 600 arils, or edible seeds, which can be enjoyed raw or processed into a juice ( 1. Trusted Source. ). Removing the pomegranate seeds can prove challenging, but knowing the right technique can make the process a breeze.
How to get seeds out of a bowl?
It may be helpful to do this over a bowl so all the loose seeds are caught. To continue, peel off the white membrane that surrounds each section of seeds. Lastly, working over a bowl or clean surface, pull the edges of each section back towards you to push the seeds out and into the bowl.
How to score a fruit?
Then, score the sides by cutting the skin between the ridges from top to bottom. If you can’t feel the ridges, simply make about six evenly spaced cuts around the fruit.
Can you eat a pithy fruit?
Only eat the seeds. Though the white, pithy part is safe to eat, it’s bitter and most people choose to discard it. The skin is technically edible as well but generally used in extract and powdered forms.
How many calories are in a pomegranate?
For starters, pomegranates have a ton of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber (via Medical News Today ). It's low in calories, too (an entire pomegranate boasts just 234 calories), and it contains about half of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C. And that's not all of its health benefits.
Can you eat white arils?
Now, you might not like chewing on the white seeds inside the arils. After all, they tend to be a little tough, which is why most people spit them out anyway. But once you consider how nutritious they are, it might make you reconsider tossing them in the trash and opt to eat them instead.
Do pomegranate seeds help with inflammation?
Pomegranate seeds are also rich in antioxidants, and have been known to reduce inflammation, too (via Healthline ).
Can you eat pomegranate seeds?
To make sure that your pomegranate packs the biggest nutritional punch, be sure to eat the entire aril. You can always eat the seeds whole (like mixed in with yogurt), or blended into a fruit juice. And that way, it'll be worth all the work it takes to get the arils out in the first place.
Arils Are Not Simply Seeds
Pomegranate seeds are encased in small, red arils that resemble jewels. The material contained within the arils is tart and juicy, and it surrounds the pomegranate’s white seeds.
Nutritional Information
Pomegranate seeds encased in juicy arils are an excellent source of antioxidants and are a low-calorie food choice. A half-cup serving contains 72 calories and 8.9 milligrams of vitamin C, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
Is It Better to Seed or Is It Not to Seed?
While pomegranate seeds are edible, they are not universally adored. Indeed, you may wish to seek only the juicy arils that encircle the seeds. You can still benefit from some of the pomegranate’s nutritional benefits without eating the seeds. The choice is entirely subjective.
