POMEGRANATE [PUNICA GRANATUM ]
Tam:
Maadhulai Tel: Danimma Mal:Maathulam Kanna:Dhaalimbe Hind: Anaar
Pomegranates
are quite popular for their ‘pearl like ‘seeds in pink-red glossy vests,
holding the juice of the fruit. Though widely popular, the general preference
for reddish glossy pearls is a point in commercial prospect of these fruits;
so, sellers split the fruit open and keep them in display to catch buyer
attention. Several fruits have whitish pink pearls –not so appealing by looks.
But, looks apart , either has the same value as health supplement /medicinal
value.
In
fact, if you recall the packing of seeds in a fruit, a number of whitish thin
leathery partitions ramify through the partitions and these are not consumed by
users.
In
Armenia, the fruit symbolizes wealth, marriage prosperity, like wise Chinese
consider the fruit as a symbol of fertility. Literature reveals that several
civilisations have had similar but varying degrees of symbolism to these
fruits.
Fresh
pomegranates [100 grams] is said to provide
83 k cal. Energy, 18.7gm Carbohydrates, 13.67 gm Sugar , Dietary fibre-4
gm , Protein 1.67 gm and Fat 1.17gm and Water 78 gm
The
most abundant phytochemical in Pomegranate is Polyphenol containing
hydrolyzable Tannin called ELLIGATANNIN –a mixture of acids-Ellagic and Gallic
,blended with carbohydrates[Punicalagin]
Anthocyanin,
delphinidin and related substances confer the pink color to the fruit juice.
The tiny seeds of pomegranate have oil which is amixture of Punic acid
[65%],Palmitic acid [5%] steric acid [2%] Linoleic acid [7%] and oleic acid
[6%]
The
juice of pomegranate is said to promote vascular flow in aging adults and is
widely believed to be a ‘health toner’. The fruit enjoys patronage from young
and old alike .
