Pomegranates are one of the most nutritious fruits on earth – plus they are sweet and delicious!
The arils (seeds) inside them are power-packed with micronutrients. Researchers say two of the compounds inside pomegranates – punicalagins and punicic acid – give them their nutritional punch.
Pomegranates have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. PLUS, the juice may cut your risk of heart disease.
Pomegranates also help lower blood pressure, ease arthritis pain, and are good for brain function. Plus … they can help with workout/athletic performance. There’s also some evidence pomegranates fight prostate and breast cancer.
Add them to salads, smoothies, or stir them into plain Greek yogurt.
For the best taste and nutritional value it is best to buy the whole fruit and remove the seeds yourself. To remove the seeds of a pomegranate, chop off the top, and score through the white “pith” to create separate segments. Open the segments outward into a bowl of water and scrape out the seeds. The seeds will sink while the pith will float making it easy to separate! Refrigerate seeds in a tightly covered container for up to 7 days.
If you’ve never tried this technique before, it can look a little intimidating. However, once you get the hang of cutting them open and scooping out the seeds, you’ll definitely be a fan. You may also be able to find containers of the seeds in the produce section, but be sure they are fresh and not slimy as they do go bad quickly.
So the next time you see a fresh pomegranate, grab it, and get to work! This video will show you how!
P. S. Store fresh pomegranates, unwrapped, in your refrigerator for up to a month. Like apples, they will shrivel and soften if left on the counter for more than a few days.