Pomegranate for athletes and for optimal health

Pomegranate is a super-superfood

The term superfood is often used to give certain foods a valuable meaning. Pomegranate has a huge number of very important health benefits that can combat many chronic diseases.

Edible parts

Generally, only the shelled pomegranate seeds are eaten. However, the entire pomegranate is usable, and the different parts work together as a whole to be better for your health. A pomegranate consists of the peel, the flesh, the seeds, and the root bark. Eating the root bark is not recommended unless there is a medical necessity.

The health benefits

Pomegranates are very healthy because they contain a large amount of antioxidants and are therefore anti-inflammatory. For example, pomegranate ensures that LDL cholesterol oxidizes less quickly, preventing the formation of a bad version of LDL cholesterol.

Pomegranates (seeds, pulp, and peel) can help prevent, alleviate, and/or cure these diseases:

• Inflammatory disorders
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Erectile dysfunction
• Low testosterone
• Stress
• Arteriosclerosis (atherosclerosis)
• Allergies, including Asthma
• Dementia and Alzheimer's disease
• Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis
• Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
• Psoriasis and eczema
• (Premature) skin aging
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Hormone-independent breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Leukemia, Lung and Colon Cancer
• Skin cancer (absorption through the skin)
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Liver disorders
• Depression (due to anti-inflammatory effect)

The pomegranate peel can be used separately by boiling 10-40 grams in water and then letting it cool. The decoction is antibacterial and active against fungi, making it effective against:

• Diarrhea, chronic diarrhea, dysentry and amoebic dysentry
• Colitis (Inflammation of the large intestine)
• Gastritus (inflammation of the stomach lining)
• Stomatis (Inflammation of the oral mucosa)

This is because the following bacteria and fungi are combated:

Herpes simplex, HIV, Influenza A, Poliovirus, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Bacilus subtilis, Yersinia enterocolitica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella dysenteriae, Candida spp., Protozoa Gardi spp.

Take the decoction of the root bark orally for beef tapeworm only on medical advice. The decoction of the root bark may, however, be used externally by rinsing for:

• Angina/Pharyngeal inflammation (sore throat)
• Canker sores and mouth ulcers
• Unusual vaginal discharge

Also interesting for athletes

A healthy body performs better. It should be clear that pomegranate makes the body healthier. Pomegranate can also improve athletic performance in another way. Pomegranates contain inorganic nitrates. In the body, these serve as a raw material for the signaling substance nitric oxide, or NO. NO dilates blood vessels, increases blood flow to the muscles, prolongs the time that muscle fibers can sustain intensive exertion, and likely also plays a key role in muscle growth. Our tip for endurance and strength athletes is to have half a pomegranate for breakfast and drink a glass of beetroot juice half an hour before exercising.

Eat pomegranate more often

Do you want a healthy, fitter, and better-performing body that significantly increases your chances of being happy and satisfied? Then try eating pomegranate (seeds) more often. You can do this, for example, at breakfast in combination with nuts.

Warning

The active ingredients of pomegranate can interact with medications, including statins and tolbutamide. Consult your doctor if you are using these medications. Furthermore, pregnant women are advised against consuming the root bark.