Autumn is the season when pomegranates ripen, and it is also a great season for health preservation. Health preservation focuses on the compatibility between food properties and the human body. So what are the properties of pomegranates? Are they cold or hot in nature?
Pomegranates are warm in nature
Pomegranates have a warm nature and a sweet and sour taste. Because they contain malic acid, they have a tart and sweet sensation when consumed. Pomegranates usually have numerous seeds in each chamber, making them a bit troublesome to eat. Therefore, pomegranates are often consumed as fresh fruit juice, which is a premium beverage that is deliciously tart, nutritious, and refreshing. Since pomegranates belong to the warm category of fruits, they are suitable for consumption regardless of whether one has a cold or hot constitution.
Nutritional value of pomegranates
Pomegranates are rich in nutrients and have a sweet and sour taste due to the presence of malic acid, fructose, and glucose. The sugar content of pomegranates ranges from 11% to 15%, with glucose being the predominant sugar. They also contain a small amount of protein, a significant amount of reducing vitamin C, tannic acid, and a variety of minerals. Among these minerals, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium are the most abundant. Pomegranates contain 18 amino acids, including 8 essential amino acids for the human body. They have relatively high levels of tryptophan, phenylalanine, and lysine.
Efficacy and functions of pomegranates
Pomegranate juice
Pomegranate juice contains various amino acids and trace elements. It has multiple functions such as aiding digestion, anti-gastric ulcers, softening blood vessels, reducing blood lipids and blood sugar, and lowering cholesterol.
It can prevent coronary heart disease and hypertension, and has the effects of invigorating the stomach, increasing appetite, prolonging life, and sobering up for those who have consumed excessive alcohol.
Pomegranate peel
Pomegranates can be described as treasures all over. The peel, roots, and flowers can all be used medicinally. The peel contains ingredients such as malic acid, tannins, and alkaloids. According to related experiments, pomegranate peel has significant antibacterial and astringent functions. It can contract the intestinal mucosa and reduce the secretion of intestinal mucus. Therefore, it can effectively treat diarrhea, dysentery, and other conditions, and has a good inhibitory effect on dysentery bacilli and Escherichia coli.
In addition, the peel of pomegranates contains alkaline substances, which have anthelmintic effects. Pomegranate flowers have hemostatic functions, and washing the eyes with pomegranate flower-infused water can also improve eyesight.
Precautions for eating pomegranates
1. Although pomegranates are good, they should not be eaten in large quantities. They have a high sugar and alkaloid content, so excessive consumption can cause a sour and astringent feeling in the mouth, as well as excessive loss of body fluids, leading to internal heat or mouth ulcers.
2. Pomegranates are not suitable for consumption with the seeds intact as they can be troublesome. They are better suited for juicing. However, pomegranate juice is difficult to wash off, so it is important to be careful not to let it soak into clothing.
