A review on proactive pomegranate one of the healthiest foods

Abstract

Pomegranate a bioactive fruit being grown in tropical climatic conditions has various therapeutic benefits due to bioactive compounds in it. It is now being utilized in nutrition as well as medicinal industries due to its strong potential. It has potent nutritional values and immense health benefits. Pomegranate fruits, seeds and peels are intensively used in traditional medicine as a natural therapy. It contains plethora of valuable ingredients such as flavonoids, ellagitannin, puni­calagin, ellagic acid, vitamins and minerals. The principal active constituents including punicalagins and ellagitannin are responsible for immeasurable health benefits due to its strong antioxidant activity. The pomegranate has been used since time immemorial in natural and holistic medicine therapies to treat sore throats, coughs, digestive disorders, urinary infections, skin disorders, arthritis, and to expel tapeworms. The health benefits reported word wide suggested that pomegranates might be useful in treating such serious conditions as different types of cancer, osteoarthritis, diabetes and Alzheimer. This is because pomegranates have the potential to thin the blood, increase blood flow to the heart, reduce blood pressure, and plaque in the arteries and ability to reduce bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol. Pomegranate juice can lower C-reactive proteins and reduce the inflammation of the lever. Juice of flower is used to treat nose bleeds. The fruit pulp and the seed are stomachic. Dried, pulverized flower buds are employed as a remedy for bronchitis. Research domain in this area is expanding rapidly and gaining popularity because of an understanding of the fact that naturally available phytonutrients along with polyphenols and antioxidants offer the available best protection against many diseases and disorders. Pomegranate protects our body in a cellular level. The objective of this review was to present a deep thought of the multi-functional, nutraceutical, bio-active components and medicinal effects of pomegranate in combating various human diseases, disorders and human ailments has been duly supported by various researchers in medicine, nutrition, biochemistry, physiology and horticultural sciences.