It’s pomegranate season! Make sure you take advantage of this delicious fruit that is so good for you. Research shows that pomegranate is found to prevent coronary artery disease progression. It is not only delicious but also great for the heart, full of antioxidants and even fights arthritis.
Pomegranates are grown in Mexico and I remember going to my grandparent’s ranch and cutting a pomegranate from a tree.
My grandfather would open it by digging his nails into it and slicing it in half with his bare hands. We would then pick out seed by seed and enjoy this sweet fruit, which was nowhere to be found back at home in the U.S.
Their popularity has risen and there are even videos on YouTube showing the best ways to open and eat a pomegranate because if you get it on your clothes, it does stain and it’s very hard to get rid of.
Pomegranate for Your Heart
A study published in the journal Atherosclerosis says that pomegranate extract may prevent and/or reverse the primary pathology associated with cardiac mortality, which is the progressive thickening of the coronary arteries caused by the accumulation of fatty materials known as atherosclerosis. In addition, it has other health benefits:
- Powerful antioxidant
- Anti-cancer properties
- Lowers cholesterol
- Lowers blood pressure
- Strengthens immune system
- Improves blood flow to the heart
- Prevents progression of osteoporosis
- Fights arthritis
Pomegranate Smoothie
2 cups of frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
1 cup of pomegranate juice
1 banana
½ cup of cottage cheese
½ cup of water
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Does Drinking 100% Juice Affect Blood Sugar?
Many moms are especially careful that they give their children 100% juice because it’s a great way for their children to drink their vitamins. Yet, does drinking 100% fruit juice affect their blood sugar?
One hundred percent juice does not have a significant effect on fasting blood glucose, fasting blood insulin, or insulin resistance according to a new study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science.
The findings are consistent with previous research indicating that 100% fruit juice is not associated with an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes and support a growing body of evidence that 100% fruit juice has no significant effect on glycemic control.
A comprehensive data analysis quantitatively assessed the relationship between drinking 100% juice and blood glucose control. Using fasting blood glucose and fasting blood insulin levels as biomarkers for diabetes risk, the systematic review and meta-analysis included 18 randomized controlled trials (RCT) to evaluate the impact of 100% juice from fruits, such as apple, berry, citrus, grape, and pomegranate.
According to The American Diabetes Association, about 90% of the 29 million cases of diabetes in adults and children in the United States are considered Type 2. Type 2 Diabetes is a metabolic disorder where the body is unable to respond to insulin.
The first line of defense for preventing and treating Type 2 Diabetes is following a healthy lifestyle. Eating right, exercising regularly and staying at a healthy weight are encouraged.
US Dietary Guidelines recommend consumption of a healthy eating pattern which includes fruits, vegetables, grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy and a variety of protein foods.
A 4-oz. glass of 100 percent juice counts as one serving (1/2 cup) of fruit and can complement whole fruit to help individuals add more produce to their diets.
The study entitled “100% Fruit juice and measures of glycemic control and insulin sensitivity: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials” is available online. It was conducted by Exponent, Inc. on behalf of the Juice Products Association.
The authors are Mary Murphy, MS, RD, Erin Barrett, Ph.D., Kara Bresnahan, Ph.D., MPH, and Leila Barraj, ScD of Exponent, Inc. For more information on the nutritional benefits of 100 percent fruit juice, please visit www.juicecentral.org.