Pomegranates: A Fruit of History, Health, and Symbolism

 

Pomegranate is a fruit that has many health benefits and cultural significance.

Pomegranates are round, reddish-brown fruits with a hard, smooth exterior. They grow on shrub-like trees and are typically similar in size to a navel orange. The interior of a pomegranate consists of a white, pulpy mesocarp surrounding small seeds, called arils, that are edible and juicy. Pomegranates are native to Afghanistan and Iran, but have been cultivated and exported to many parts of the world, especially Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean region.

Pomegranates have a long history of being used for food, medicine, and religious rituals, and have many symbolic and mythological associations in different cultures. Pomegranates are also rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds, and have been shown to have various health benefits, such as preventing chronic inflammation, protecting against cancer, and improving heart health.

History and Cultivation of Pomegranates

Pomegranates are one of the oldest known fruits, dating back to ancient times. They are mentioned in many ancient texts, such as the Bible, the Quran, the Torah, the Vedas, and the Homeric Hymns. Pomegranates were also depicted in ancient art, such as Egyptian tombs, Greek vases, and Persian carpets.

Pomegranates were considered sacred by many civilizations, such as the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Persians, and the Jews, and were used in various religious ceremonies and rituals. Pomegranates were also valued for their medicinal properties, and were used to treat ailments such as diarrhea, dysentery, fever, ulcers, and worms. Pomegranates were also used as a dye, a cosmetic, and a perfume.

Pomegranates are believed to have originated from Afghanistan and Iran, where they still grow wild today. They were introduced to other parts of Asia, such as India, China, and Southeast Asia, by traders and travelers along the Silk Road. They were also brought to Africa by the Phoenicians and the Arabs, and to Europe by the Greeks and the Romans.

Pomegranates were introduced into Spanish America in the late 16th century and into California by Spanish settlers in 1769. They are widely cultivated throughout West Asia and Caucasus region, South Asia, Central Asia, north and tropical Africa, the drier parts of Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean Basin. The fruit is typically in season in the Southern Hemisphere from March to May, and in the Northern Hemisphere from September to February.

Pomegranates are shrubs or small trees that grow 5 to 10 meters high, with multiple spiny branches and long-lived, with some specimens in France surviving for 200 years. They have glossy, dark green leaves and bright red flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The fruit is a berry that has a thick, leathery skin and a crown-like calyx. The fruit contains hundreds of arils, which are the edible seeds surrounded by a juicy, translucent pulp. The color of the arils can vary from white to deep red, depending on the variety and the ripeness of the fruit. The arils have a sweet and tart flavor, and a crunchy texture.

Nutritional and Health Benefits of Pomegranates

Pomegranates are low in calories and fat but high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. One cup (174 grams) of arils provides:

• Calories: 144
• Protein: 3 grams
• Fat: 2 grams
• Carbohydrates: 32 grams
• Fiber: 7 grams
• Vitamin C: 30% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Vitamin K: 36% of the DV
• Folate: 16% of the DV
• Potassium: 12% of the DV

Pomegranates are also rich in antioxidants and polyphenolic compounds, such as punicalagins, anthocyanins, and hydrolyzable tannins. Antioxidants are substances that help protect the cells of the body from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress and inflammation. Oxidative stress and inflammation are linked to many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Pomegranates have been shown to have higher antioxidant activity than other fruits, such as apples, grapes, and oranges.

Pomegranates have been studied for their potential health benefits, such as:

• Preventing chronic inflammation. Pomegranates contain compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties, such as punicalagins, which can inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines and enzymes. Pomegranates have been shown to reduce markers of inflammation in people with metabolic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis.
• Protecting against cancer. Pomegranates have been shown to have anti-cancer effects, such as inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death), inhibiting angiogenesis (blood vessel formation), and modulating gene expression. Pomegranates have been shown to suppress the growth and spread of various types of cancer cells, such as breast, prostate, colon, and skin cancer.
• Improving heart health. Pomegranates have been shown to improve blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood flow, which are important factors for cardiovascular health. Pomegranates have been shown to lower systolic blood pressure, reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the blood vessels, and increase nitric oxide production, which is a vasodilator that relaxes and widens the arteries. Pomegranates have also been shown to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and increase HDL (good) cholesterol, and prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries).
• Enhancing exercise performance. Pomegranates have been shown to improve exercise endurance, strength, and recovery, by increasing blood flow, oxygen delivery, and antioxidant capacity. Pomegranates have been shown to increase the time to exhaustion, reduce muscle soreness, and increase muscle strength in athletes and healthy individuals.
• Supporting brain health. Pomegranates have been shown to protect the brain from oxidative stress, inflammation, and neurodegeneration, which are associated with cognitive decline and dementia. Pomegranates have been shown to improve memory, learning, and mood in healthy adults and in people with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Promoting gut health. Pomegranates have been shown to modulate the gut microbiota, which is the community of microorganisms that live in the digestive tract and influence various aspects of health. Pomegranates have been shown to increase the abundance and diversity of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, and decrease the abundance of harmful bacteria, such as Clostridium and Escherichia coli. Pomegranates have also been shown to enhance the production of short-chain fatty acids, which are metabolites that have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.

Symbolic and Mythological Significance of Pomegranates

Pomegranates have been regarded as a symbol of fertility, abundance, and prosperity in many cultures, due to their numerous seeds and rich color. Pomegranates have also been associated with various deities, myths, and legends, such as:

• In ancient Egypt, pomegranates were considered a sacred fruit and a symbol of life and resurrection. Pomegranates were offered to the goddess Isis, who was believed to have resurrected her husband Osiris from the dead. Pomegranates were also depicted in the paintings and carvings of tombs, as a sign of hope for the afterlife.
• In ancient Greece, pomegranates were considered a symbol of love, marriage, and death. Pomegranates were dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite, who was the goddess of love and beauty. Pomegranates were also involved in the myth of Persephone, who was the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of agriculture.

Persephone was abducted by Hades, the god of the underworld, and forced to be his wife. Demeter was so grief-stricken that she caused the earth to become barren and cold.

Zeus, the king of the gods, intervened and ordered Hades to release Persephone, but Hades tricked her into eating six pomegranate seeds, which bound her to the underworld for six months of the year. This myth was used to explain the seasons, as the earth would flourish when Persephone was with her mother, and wither when she was with her husband.

• In ancient Rome, pomegranates were considered a symbol of power, wealth, and fertility. Pomegranates were associated with the god Jupiter, who was the god of the sky and thunder. Pomegranates were also used in weddings, as a sign of good luck and prosperity. Pomegranates were also used in funerals, as a sign of eternal life and rebirth.
• In ancient Persia, pomegranates were considered a symbol of wisdom, courage, and immortality. Pomegranates were associated with the god Mithra, who was the god of light and justice. Pomegranates were also used in the celebration of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, as a symbol of joy and hope.
• In Judaism, pomegranates were considered a symbol of righteousness, holiness, and abundance. Pomegranates were one of the seven fruits that were brought to the Temple in Jerusalem as an offering. Pomegranates were also embroidered on the hem of the robe of the high priest, and carved on the pillars of the Temple. Pomegranates were also eaten on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, as a wish for a fruitful year.
• In Christianity, pomegranates were considered a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the blood of the martyrs, and the unity of the church. Pomegranates were often depicted in religious art, such as paintings, mosaics, and stained glass windows. Pomegranates were also used in Christmas decorations, as a symbol of joy and peace.
• In Islam, pomegranates were considered a symbol of paradise, purity, and generosity. Pomegranates were mentioned in the Quran as one of the fruits of heaven. Pomegranates were also praised by the Prophet Muhammad, who said that they cleanse the body of envy and hatred. Pomegranates were also used in Ramadan, the month of fasting, as a refreshing and nourishing fruit.
• In Hinduism, pomegranates were considered a symbol of fertility, prosperity, and abundance. Pomegranates were offered to various gods and goddesses, such as Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of success, and Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Pomegranates were also used in weddings, as a sign of happiness and harmony.
• In Buddhism, pomegranates were considered a symbol of enlightenment, compassion, and wisdom. Pomegranates were one of the three blessed fruits, along with citrus and peach, that were given to Buddha by a woman named Sujata. Pomegranates were also depicted in the hands of various bodhisattvas, such as Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of mercy, and Tara, the female Buddha.

As you can see, pomegranates have a rich and diverse cultural and historical significance, reflecting their beauty, taste, and health benefits. Pomegranates are truly a fruit of history, health, and symbolism.