Can you eat pomegranate seeds? Calories per 100 grams, benefits, and harms.

The pomegranate is considered a favorite fruit by many. The tree grows in subtropical and tropical zones around the world, but is also very popular in our country. Everyone eats the fruit's pulp, but few know whether it's safe to eat the pomegranate seeds, whether they contain any beneficial substances, or whether they are harmful to the body.

Experts have conflicting opinions on this matter: some claim that sunflower seeds contain a wealth of beneficial substances, while others claim that the pits can trigger disease. In this case, it all depends on the amount of seeds consumed and the individual's sensitivity.

Benefits of pomegranate seeds and calorie content per 100 grams

The grain portion of the fruit is no less caloric and nutritious than its flesh. The seeds are dietary carbohydrates—fiber—that are not digested by the digestive system.

Dietary fiber, passing through the gastrointestinal tract, removes waste, biological toxins, and other harmful waste products from the body. It helps women during menopause and menstruation, and improves potency in men. However, it should be chewed and not swallowed whole, otherwise the kernels are useless.

The caloric content of the fruit per 100 grams with seeds is 70-83 kcal, without seeds - 20 units less.

Chemical composition

The hard part of the fruit contains numerous beneficial minerals, vitamins, and polyunsaturated acids. The seeds are used to produce healing oils used in dermatology, cosmetology, and therapy. Linoleic, saturated carboxylic, oleic, and stearic acids form the basis of the oils obtained.

Pomegranate kernels contain the following beneficial substances:

• Vitamin A - retinol, supports vision function;
• Vitamin B - thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid normalize metabolic processes, converting proteins and carbohydrates into energy, stimulate the nervous system;
• Vitamin E - tocopherol improves overall health;
• calcium, sodium and potassium;

  

• Nicotinic acid prevents vitamin deficiency and has a vasodilating effect;
• phosphorus compounds;
• various fatty acids;
• Polyphenols protect DNA cells from the effects of carcinogens and degrease food;
• iron.

The seeds contain starch, cellulose, ash, tannins, and iodine. The benefits of consuming the seeds have been proven by scientific research in the medical field. These beneficial properties are used to treat various conditions, address dermatological issues, and prepare medicinal preparations and alcoholic tinctures.

Medicinal properties

Pomegranate seeds have a wealth of health benefits. However, they should be chewed, not simply swallowed. When consumed this way, pomegranate has the following effects on the body:

• relieves inflammation;
• rids the body of waste and toxins;
• normalizes stool during diarrhea;
• helps with headaches;
• normalizes metabolic processes;
• promotes the functioning of endocrine glands;
• improves mental abilities;
• reduces toothache;
• reduces painful sensations during menstruation;
• enhances male potency.

The seeds are recommended for people with diabetes and helminthic infestations. They are also beneficial for women during menopause and pregnancy.

Those who enjoy alcoholic beverages, strong coffee, chocolate, fried and spicy foods would do well to regularly consume pomegranate seeds. These and other dietary irritants can cause inflammation of the mucous membranes of the digestive tract, which can lead to gastritis and ulcers. The tannin found in the hard structure of the fruit promotes the formation of a protective layer on the mucous membranes of the digestive tract from precipitated protein.

The firm texture of pomegranates helps treat genitourinary disorders. Regular consumption of pomegranate kernels reduces the risk of breast cancer in women and prostate hyperplasia in men.

Is it possible to eat pomegranate seeds and how to do it correctly?

Doctors recommend eating pomegranate seeds for diabetics. Eating 100-150 grams of thoroughly chewed seeds provides the required daily dose of nutrients. Adding pomegranate seeds to your diet has the following beneficial effects:

1. Harmful cholesterol, which contributes to the formation of intravascular plaques, is removed.
2. The walls of blood vessels damaged by the formation of cholesterol plaques are strengthened and restored.
3. The body is saturated with essential amino acids and other beneficial substances.
4. The liver and digestive organs are cleansed of toxins and waste.
5. The concentration of sugar in the blood decreases.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL-0Uf1Wvk8

How to clean properly

There are several rules for cutting the fruit to preserve the healing properties of the pit. The commonly used apple-shaped cut reduces the nutritional content, making the pomegranate a common dessert.

The fruit cleaning sequence consists of the following steps:

1. The pomegranate is washed under running water.
2. Using a sharp knife, remove the inflorescence at the top of the fruit.
3. Careful small cuts are made from the point where the inflorescence is cut to the bottom of the pomegranate, leaving the stalk intact.
4. Place the pomegranate on a horizontal surface and press down on the top with your hand. The segments along the cut edges should open up to form flower petals.
5. Carefully separate the pomegranate slice without damaging the grain structure.

The pulp can be eaten together with the seeds, after chewing them thoroughly.

The cuts should be made along the indentations of the segments. Juice oozing from the cuts indicates that the pomegranate was not cut correctly.

You can separate the seeds from the pulp by hand or by gently tapping the skin with a spoon. Sometimes the fruit is separated in a bowl of cold water. This prevents the seeds from scattering across the table. The seeds settle to the bottom of the plate, while the membranes and skin rise to the surface.

Rules for eating seeds

Eating the seeds requires some caution; they should be chewed slowly until a smooth consistency is achieved. Otherwise, they will not provide the desired therapeutic effect and will pass from the digestive tract unchanged. It is believed that whole or poorly chewed kernels can cause appendicitis. However, proponents of the opposite theory argue that the small size of the kernels cannot block the cecum.

It is recommended to consume fruits with seeds under the following conditions:

• the kernels are quite soft;
• there are no diseases of the mucous surfaces of the oral cavity;
• there are no individual contraindications for use.

To improve the absorption of chewed hard grains, they should be consumed together with the pulp. When using only the seeds, it is recommended to dry them in a warm, sheltered place and then grind them in a coffee grinder. The powder is used as a dietary supplement. Alcohol-based tinctures made with pomegranate seeds reduce the formation of cholesterol plaques, prevent respiratory diseases, and reduce inflammation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI8ZTr77WEs

Contraindications

Pomegranate seeds can be beneficial, but they can also be harmful if consumed more than once a day and if there are individual contraindications, such as:

• pathologies of the intestinal tract, stomach;
• persistent decrease in blood pressure;
• thinning of tooth enamel;
• increased gas formation;
• constipation;
• inflammation of the colon;
• haemorrhoids.

Potential harm from seeds

Excessive consumption of pomegranate seeds can cause difficulty with bowel movements instead of relief. This is because the seeds are practically indigestible by the stomach. This condition is commonly observed in young children. Hard seeds can cause gum damage, inflammation, or swelling. Therefore, it is not recommended to eat them more than once a day. The essential oils in the seeds can lower blood pressure, making pomegranate a contraindication for those with low blood pressure.

To prevent negative consequences, an adult can consume no more than 200 g of fruit with seeds per day, and children can consume a maximum of 150 g.

In childhood, during pregnancy

Pregnant women often lack the vitamins needed for healthy fetal development. The micronutrients found in pomegranate seeds support the development of fetal tissues and organs. Eating this subtropical fruit at least twice a week can help prevent various forms of morning sickness in the first and third trimesters, as well as swelling, strengthen the circulatory system, and boost immunity. Pregnant women are advised to consult a doctor before consuming pomegranate seeds.

Coarse fiber can cause digestive problems in a child's still-developing gastrointestinal tract. After this age, you can give 2-3 kernels no more than once a week. The fruits should be ripe, with soft seeds to avoid scratching the oral mucosa. Parents should ensure that the child chews the kernels thoroughly. The kernels can be ground into powder and a small pinch mixed with milk or honey.

Eating crushed seeds will prevent the occurrence of anemia, which often occurs in early childhood.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eating fruits and vegetables that are not native to our latitudes has always raised many questions. Some answers are provided below:

Moderate consumption of pomegranate seeds prevents many diseases. The seeds promote the elimination of toxins and waste, and provide the body with beneficial microelements and vitamins. However, chewing or grinding the seeds is recommended, as doing otherwise can lead to intestinal obstruction.