With the winter chill setting in, it’s the season where many seek measures to boost their wellbeing.
After all, the dreary weather can induce a touch of the blues, but ITV’s health expert, Dr Amir Khan, has some good news – there’s a simple way you can aid your health. An unassuming fruit could be the answer to putting an added spring in your step.
From giving our heart function a kick to cancer prevention potential, pomegranate is more than just any old fruit. Currently at the peak of its season, pomegranates are not only wonderfully succulent but brimming with benefits.
In an enlightening TikTok video, Dr Amir enthused: “Guys, it’s pomegranate season, and look at how beautiful they are, but their beauty isn’t just skin deep.
“Pomegranates have loads of health benefits too. They’re exceptionally high in antioxidants, which can help protect ourselves from damage done from things like cigarette smoking and air pollution.”
He added: “Specific antioxidants in pomegranate include punicalagins, anthocyanins and tannins. Some small studies have suggested that pomegranate may have some anti-cancer properties, though more research is needed to say this definitively.
“And they could improve our heart health. In a 2022 comprehensive review of 10 of the most commonly available fruits and their effects on cardiovascular disease, research noted that pomegranates and pomegranate juice can have significant benefits for improving a number of heart conditions.”
The £1 fruit is also beneficial for brain health, according to medical insights. Incorporating the fruit into your daily routine could work miracles for your well-being, as it brims with a multitude of advantages, according to the NHS doctor.
Moreover, devouring them in season enhances their deliciousness, so seize the moment and indulge. It’s an ideal wintry delight to savour.
Since being posted, the video has captivated hundreds, with Dr Amir’s audience eager to chime in. Numerous fans expressed their fondness for the fruit.
One viewer said: “Figs and pomegranate are one of the fruits from heaven.” Another reported: “I eat two to three of them a day.” Meanwhile, another revealed: “Would you believe I never tasted one.”
Pomegranates can typically be picked up from supermarkets for around £1 to £2 each. To get the delicious seeds out, start by placing the pomegranate on a cutting board.
Using a sharp knife, carefully cut off the crown (the top end of the pomegranate). You can either bash the bottom of the fruit with a spoon and watch the seeds pop out.
Or if you want to do things more cleanly, gently score the skin of the pomegranate from the crown to the bottom. Make about 4 to 6 equally spaced cuts around the fruit. Be careful to only cut through the skin and not too deep into the seeds.
Using your hands, gently pry open the pomegranate along the scored lines into segments. If scored properly, it should naturally fall apart into sections. You can then prise the seeds out.
Alternatively, buy the seeds pre-done from the supermarket. While this is pricier, it will save you time.