What is Lymphatic Drainage ????

 THE ORIGINAL APPLE?

Who would have guessed that the fruited ovary of the Punica Granatum, a small tree/shrub that grows between 5 and 10 metres tall, could be so revered throughout history! This ancient plant, which originated more than 5000 years ago in the region between modern day Iran and India, is currently being cultivated throughout the Middle East and Caucasus region, north and tropical Africa, south, central and parts of southeast Asia, the Mediterranean basin, and in the United States in Arizona and California. 

What is this fruit? It was called pomum granatum and pomme-grenade, meaning “seeded apple”, and later was named pomegranate. It is made up of 613 seeds embedded in a non-edible pulp. Some believe a pomegranate was the “apple” that caught Eve’s eye, in the book of Genesis. Throughout history, pomegranates seem to be revered and linked to health, fertility and rebirth. They were carved on the pillars of Solomon’s temple, buried in tombs with Egyptian kings and depicted in the art of Zen temples.

Pomegranates contain many phytonutrients and antioxidants. The different parts of the pomegranate plant like peel, root, bark, flower, leaves, mesocarp, endocarp, arils, seeds and juice exhibit different phytochemicals. In addition to antioxidants, pomegranates are a source of fibre, B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin K and potassium. One pomegranate supplies one-quarter of a day's worth of folate (a B vitamin needed to synthesize and repair DNA) and one-third of your daily vitamin C. 

Extracts of all parts of the pomegranate fruit exhibit therapeutic properties and target a range of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, male infertility, Alzheimer's disease, aging, and AIDS.  Although pomegranate's extensive therapeutic benefits may be attributed to a number of mechanisms, most researchers agree on its antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Here is a list of pomegranate fruit and fresh juice benefits that have been revealed over    the years:

1.     Reduces inflammation

2.     Interferes with prostate tumor cell proliferation, cell cycle, invasion and angiogenesis

3.     Delays oxidative stress after heavy physical exertion, reducing muscle pain

4.     Improves cognitive function post-surgery

5.     Has aphrodisiac effects, improving libido 

6.     Lowers blood pressure

7.     Reverses/reduces plaque in arteries

8.     Lowers cholesterol

9.     Boosts immune function

10.   Inhibits enzymes responsible for cartilage breakdown

11.   Encourages regeneration of skin cells

12.   Plentiful fibre content aids digestion

13.   Helps regulate blood sugar levels

14.   Facilitates collagen production

Punicalagins are extremely potent antioxidants found in pomegranate juice and peel and contain three times the antioxidant activity of red wine and green tea. Pomegranate extract and powders are typically made from the peel, due to its high antioxidant and punicalagin content. Laboratory studies suggest that pomegranate extract may slow cancer cell reproduction and even induce apoptosis, or cell death, in cancer cells. A human study found that drinking 8 ounces (237 ml) of pomegranate juice per day increased the PSA (blood marker for prostate cancer) doubling time from 15 months to 54 months — a monumental increase (study). 

Regular intake of pomegranate juice has been shown to lower blood pressure levels in as little as two weeks. Studies using animals indicate that pomegranate extract blocks enzymes known to damage joints in people with osteoarthritis.

Punicic acid, found in pomegranate seed oil, is the main fatty acid in the arils; it’s a type of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) with powerful biological effects. It improves your cholesterol profile and protects LDL cholesterol from oxidative damage. (The usual dietary sources of CLA are the meat and milk of cows, goats and sheep.) 

The plant compounds in pomegranates are anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral and can protect against infections and inflammation in your mouth. Drinking pomegranate juice prevents the natural formation of plaque on your teeth. Speaking of plaque, a study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition in 2004,

involved 19 patients (5 women and 14 men, aged 65-75, non-smokers, matched with similar blood lipid and glucose concentrations, blood pressure, and with similar medication regimens which consisted of blood-pressure lowering (e.g. ACE inhibitors, β-blockers, or calcium channel blockers) and lipid lowering drugs such as statins, all with severe carotid artery stenosis (defined as 70–90% blockage in the internal carotid arteries). Researchers measured the subjects’ carotid arteries before and after one year of supplementing their diet with pomegranate juice. After one year, the plaque clogging their carotid arteries was reduced by up to 30%, while the control group's blockages increased by 9% - effectively reversing the disease process by up to 39% within one year.  Additional "side benefits" included a 130% increase in their antioxidant status, with LDL susceptibility to oxidation being reduced 59%. Finally, systolic blood pressure was reduced 21% within the first year.                

A study in 28 older adults with memory complaints found that 8 ounces (237 ml) of pomegranate juice per day significantly improved markers of verbal and visual memory (study). The humble pomegranate appears to be a superfood!

So how can you include pomegranate in your daily eating patterns? Any way you like!

You can peel and eat a pomegranate’s arils or you can add them to almost any dish-rice, guacamole, as a topping for roasted carrots or brussels sprouts, couscous, glazes, cream cheeses, cereals, fruit salads, sprinkle over oatmeal, yogurts, desserts, mix into muffin and pancake batters, salads, stuffings-you name it! You can drink fresh pomegranate juice, tea, smoothies, pomegranate wine or pomegranate liqueur. Add fresh pomegranate juice to vinaigrette salad dressings or mix with honey to use as a glaze for chicken, turkey or meat. 

There are some awesome recipes with pomegranate that you can find on the internet. Why not give them a try? Here is one delicious salad recipe I found at  https://www.feastingathome.com/holiday-crunch-salad/ Enjoy!

Holiday Crunch Salad – with Quinoa, Pomegranate Seeds, avocado, parsley and toasted Almonds…a festive and healthy, vegan, gluten -free salad! 

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Yield: 6-8 servings

 

Ingredients:

·       4 cups cooked quinoa ( about 1 ⅓ -1 ½ cups dry) 

·       1 cup pomegranate seeds

·       4 chopped scallions

·       1 cup chopped Italian parsley

·       ½ cup toasted sliced almonds

·       ½ lime – zest and juice

·       ½ orange- zest and juice

·       ⅓ cup olive oil

·       ½ teaspoon salt, more to taste

·       ¼ teaspoon cracked pepper

·       ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

·       ¼ teaspoon allspice

·       1-2 chopped avocados

Instructions:

1.    Place cooked quinoa, pomegranate seeds, scallions, parsley and almonds in a medium bowl.

2.    Toss with olive oil, orange juice and zest, salt and spices.

3.    Taste and adjust salt. Gently fold in the avocado right before serving ( or serve the avocado on the side, if wanting to keep leftovers)