Food Talk: Facts about pomegranate juice

QUESTION: Is pomegranate juice the new miracle drink?

ANSWER: Pomegranate juice is the new kid on the block. Many say it is the broccoli of 2009. There may be some health benefits for us but there is much research to be done.

The pomegranate is a fruit native to northern India and Iran. It was introduced to the United States in the mid-1700s by Spanish explorers. It is produced in the United States mainly in California and Arizona. It has not been a popular fruit to eat, possibly because of the difficultly incurred trying to get to the fruit. Now we have the juice so consumption may possibly increase. If you try to peel the fruit and remove the seeds, it is best to score the tough peel with a knife and remove the seeds under water.

The prime time of production is October through December. It is ripe when it is very red and has a metallic sound when tapped. The flavor will range from sweet to sour depending on the variety. You can expect the same flavor change in the juice made from the different varieties. You can keep the fruit for long periods of time if kept in the refrigerator between 32 and 40 degrees.

The name means “seedy apple.” If you open the fruit you can see why. A fruit the size of an orange may contain up to 600 individual seeds. The juice of the seeds is what we like.  The seeds may be ground and sold as a spice known as Anardana. The high-quality seeds are grown in the Himalayas and are typically used in Pakistani and Indian recipes.

The juice may be thickened and mixed with ground walnuts and sold as grenadine syrup. This is the base for many punch and drink recipes. The peel may be added to cattle feed.

One serving typically provides 70 calories and 10 percent of the needed Vitamin C. The nutrient commanding attention at the current time is the antioxidants present in the juice. This type of antioxidant may help lower LDL cholesterol and help prevent arteriosclerosis. This has been indicated in lab studies only. It also may help reduce systolic blood pressure. Many studies are being conducted regarding cancer but no proven results have been printed. 

The amount noted to be safe for consumption seems to be about 1 1/2 ounces per day of the juice. Not many juices are 100 percent pure juice, so read your labels closely.

You know how we are, always looking for a quick fix.  The best advice as of today is to enjoy your ounce-and-a-half if you like the flavor, and stay tuned for more dependable research.

For more information about any nutrition issues, please call Ellen Jones, registered dietitian, at (479) 549-2425.