Pomegranates: Royal Flush

Why do pomegranates wear crowns? Maybe because they’re beautiful. Or maybe because they treat your heart like royalty. With their jewel-like seeds and long history of medicinal use, it’s no wonder pomegranates are so prized.

Art for Your Heart
A half-cup of pomegranate arils (seeds) is packed with:

15% of your daily value (DV) of vitamin C. This antioxidant helps block the damage caused by free radicals that may play a role in heart disease and other conditions.
More than twice as many antioxidants as blackberries.
14% DV of dietary fiber. And diets high in fiber have been associated with a lower risk of developing coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and more.
Anthocyanins—the phytonutrients that give red pomegranates their color. Their antioxidant properties may help fight inflammation and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Plus, although more studies are needed, some research suggests that pomegranates may:

Boost blood flow in the heart for people living with ischemic coronary heart disease.
Prevent plaque buildup in blood vessels. (That’s good news because plaque buildup leads to atherosclerosis, a condition that can cause diseases such as coronary heart disease.)
A Royal Table
You can buy pomegranate arils—or you can give yourself the satisfaction of cutting into a fresh pomegranate yourself. Here's a handy illustrated guide for cutting and de-seeding a pomegranate.

Good for your heart and pretty on the table—check out these recipes featuring pomegranate arils:

Food for Thought
Did you know:

Our word pomegranate comes from the Latin pōmum (apple) and grānātum (seeded).
There are hundreds of varieties—including some that are yellow, green, or white!
Pomegranates have no close relatives (but with that many varieties, they probably don’t get lonesome).
According to legend, King Henry VIII planted Britain’s first pomegranate tree.
How do we use pomegranates in Juice Plus+^®? They’re one of the ingredients in our Vineyard Blend capsules and chewables. And they’re also part of our Complete Shake Mix.