Pomegranate juice

Pomegranate juice is a drink made from fresh pomegranate fruits that retains all the beneficial properties of the berry. This is a natural mix of organic acids, sugars, phytoncides, polyesters, antioxidants, tannin, folacin, amino acids, vitamins A, B, E, C, K, PP, mineral compounds (calcium, iron, potassium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus). In terms of the number of nutrients, fresh juice has no equal. It is not for nothing that pomegranate juice has acquired the unspoken name of the “king of vitamins” among the people. It exhibits antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory properties, slows down the progression of colon, breast, and prostate cancer.

Interestingly, pomegranate increases sexual desire, due to which it is recognized in eastern countries as a symbol of love and fertility.

Botanical description

A pomegranate is the fruit of a small tree of the Derbennikovye or Pomegranate family, crowned with original sepals that resemble a crown. The name of the culture comes from the Latin word “granatus”, which means “granular” and literally describes the structure of the fruit.

The berry is a large ball, 8 to 18 cm in diameter, covered with a yellow-orange or dark red skin. Small seeds are hidden under the shell, surrounded by a juicy pericarp. In a ripe fruit, up to 1000 kernels can be concentrated. It is firm to the touch, has a dry peel of a uniform shade. It is from such specimens that the juice is squeezed. The taste of the drink is tart due to the presence of tannins in the composition and sweet due to the presence of monosaccharides.

The plant reaches 5-6 m in height, photophilous, does not bloom in case of shading.

Currently, the culture is grown in the countries of the Middle East, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, in the territory of the former Yugoslavia. This is an extremely useful fruit, all parts of which (fruit peel, pulp, seeds, bark and flowers of the plant) are used to prepare tinctures, decoctions, drugs for the treatment of conjunctivitis, anemia, burns, diarrhea, stomatitis, diseases of the heart and genitourinary system.

Production technology

To prepare 1 liter of pomegranate juice, 3 kg of ripe, whole, intact fruits are required, which, in turn, are harvested in October-November for 40-45 days. On an industrial scale, two technologies for the production of a drink are used. The first assumes that the concentrate is accumulated in 50-ton tanks until the fruit picking is completed, after which the juice is spilled. The second method is based on the method of direct filling of bottles with their subsequent shipment to the manufacturer. This option allows you to preserve the nutritional value of the drink to a greater extent, since if it is stored, the amount of vitamins, macro- and microelements in the product decreases by at least 5% every day.

Pomegranate juice production:

1. Manual sorting of raw materials. At this stage, unripe, spoiled (rotten, damaged) fruits are removed from the conveyor.
2. Juice extraction by soft grain pressure on pneumatic membrane presses. This method, in contrast to the use of screw devices, is more gentle.

In the production process, a closed technological scheme is used, which implies minimal contact of raw materials with air, which eliminates the course of oxidative processes.

3. Gentle heat treatment using pasteurizers.
4. Storage of freshly squeezed juice in disinfected stainless steel containers with a capacity of 50 cubic meters or bottling directly (depending on the choice of product manufacturing technology).

To increase the shelf life at this stage, food preservatives are introduced into the composition of the drink.

Remember, there are several types of pomegranate juice: freshly squeezed, freshly squeezed aged and reconstituted from concentrate, nectar. Let’s take a look at the difference between them. In the first case, the juice is obtained by direct extraction of raw materials, in the second case, the drink is kept in tanks for a year. During this time, it will be bottled and gradually go on sale in batches. Reconstituted juice is obtained from purified water, natural fruit flavor obtained during the production of concentrate, condensed pomegranate juice. Such a product goes under the brand name “fruit juice”.

Nectar, as a rule, is prepared from not very juicy fruits (quince, feijoa, peach, apricot). The fruits are ground into a homogeneous mass, and the resulting puree is mixed with water, sugar, 25% -50% pomegranate juice.

In the process of choosing a product, you should pay attention to its composition. Good juice is 100% fruit. Sugar can be used as an additional ingredient.

Often nectar contains citric acid, a variety of preservatives, flavors, dyes, sweeteners.

The best juice is freshly squeezed without additives, the unhealthy one is reconstituted.

In the selection process, it is necessary to give preference to a cold-pressed drink. This mark indicates that it is processed at low temperatures, which means it contains valuable nutrients.

To get real juice, pomegranate fruits must be squeezed with their own hands or with a cold-pressed juicer. Under no circumstances should high-speed centrifugal devices be used, since they operate at high speeds (10 rpm), which contribute to heating and oxidation of the raw material.

Juice is prepared immediately before use, only in this case the body will get the maximum benefit from the “crowned” product.

Chemical composition

The usefulness of pomegranate concentrate is higher than pineapple, orange, apple. In addition, in terms of the amount of antioxidants, it surpasses green tea. One fruit contains a third of the daily norm of ascorbic acid.

100 g of the edible part of the fruit contains 0,2% mineral compounds, 0,2-0,8% fats, 0,3-1,2% tannins, 0,3-5,0% fiber, 0,3-2,8 .1,8% organic acids (boric, tartaric, oxalic, citric, malic, succinic), 7% proteins, 20-XNUMX% carbohydrates (glucose, sucrose, fructose).

Pomegranate juice is useful not only inside, but also used externally for cosmetic procedures. Masks based on a fresh home-made drink remove toxins from the skin, activate metabolic processes, relieve inflammation, get rid of black spots, smooth wrinkles, and tighten the oval of the face. However, before carrying out cosmetic procedures, you should check the allergic orientation of the body (carry out a test).

Useful Properties

Traditional medicine endows pomegranate juice with truly miraculous properties. It is believed that it gives strength for a quick recovery. Interestingly, the drink surpasses green tea, cranberries and blueberries in the amount of antioxidants, and lemon juice in the content of citric acid. With regular use of the fruit, the risk of developing stomach cancer is prevented. Useful properties of freshly squeezed juice can hardly be overestimated. It not only cleanses the body of toxins, improves well-being, but also reduces the manifestation of unpleasant symptoms during menstruation, improves mood.

Due to the high concentration of tannins, pomegranate juice is not drunk in its pure form, it must first be diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1. Alcoholic or non-alcoholic fruit and berry cocktails can be prepared on the basis of the drink. Pregnant and breastfeeding women (HW) are advised to dilute fresh juice based on the calculation of 1 part concentrate to 3 parts water. At the same time, it is important to monitor the reaction of the body.

Remember, pomegranate juice is a harsh concentrate that can cause severe intolerance. Therefore, if during the carrying of a baby or during the period of breastfeeding, the mother has an allergic reaction, be sure that it will also manifest itself in the child. In addition, the drink contains citric, malic and oxalic acids, which can cause stomach irritation. Thus, extreme care should be taken when drinking a drink during pregnancy, lactation.

Medicinal properties:

1. Improves the work of the heart. With regular use, pomegranate juice cleanses blood vessels of cholesterol deposits, reduces the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis. In addition, it has an anti-atherogenic effect, ensures optimal blood supply to the heart.
2. Normalizes blood pressure. Freshly squeezed juice performs the function of “natural aspirin” in the human body. The ability of the drink to lower blood pressure is due to the presence of phenolic compounds and antioxidants, which exhibit a slight diuretic effect, thereby reducing pressure.

Currently, there is an opinion among the representatives of the stronger sex that pomegranate juice goes well with alcohol, but this idea is erroneous. Entering the body, cognac first expands the blood vessels, reducing pressure in the first minutes, then their sharp narrowing occurs, which provides the opposite effect. To avoid overloading the heart, these products must not be mixed.

Pomegranate juice should not be consumed at low pressure, as it can increase the symptoms of hypotension, which will further worsen the person’s condition.

With hypertension (high blood pressure), you can not take a concentrated drink, it is first diluted with water or other berry, fruit or vegetable juice.

To strengthen the walls of blood vessels, lower blood pressure, improve heart function, you need to drink at least 200 ml of freshly squeezed fresh juice per day.

3. Helps the body with diarrhea and dysentery. When the stool is upset, as a rule, doctors strictly attribute to the exclusion of fruit juices from the diet of the victim, since they have a laxative effect on the intestines. However, this recommendation does not apply to pomegranate concentrate. On the contrary, it is useful to use it both for constipation and diarrhea. The thing is that the juice contains organic acids, which increase the level of essential digestive enzymes, contributing to the normalization of digestive processes.

Tannins, which give a tart taste to fruits, ensure the fixation of the consistency of feces, and pectin removes toxic substances from the body that accumulate when the stool is disturbed.

4. Increases the sexual activity of men who suffer from erectile dysfunction, improves sperm quality, helps to overcome prostate symptoms. The antioxidant components that make up pomegranate juice increase blood circulation and enhance the effect on smooth muscle tissue. As a result, the active age of men is extended.
5. It relieves anemia, starts the process of increasing hemoglobin in the blood due to the presence of easily digestible iron and ascorbic acid in the composition.
6. Facilitates the condition of women during pregnancy, breastfeeding, menstruation. The active components of pomegranate juice help to cope with toxicosis, remove excess fluid from the body, relieve swelling, give strength, increase efficiency, and minimize the likelihood of leg cramps.
7. Strengthens the immune system, accelerates metabolic processes, stops inflammatory processes. Concentrated pomegranate juice has a strong antibacterial, antimicrobial potential, increases the body’s barrier functions and its ability to resist infections.

During viral epidemics, as well as during a cold, a freshly squeezed fruit drink will protect against the risk of catching the flu, seasonal runny nose.

8. Reduces the risk of cancer. Pomegranate fruits contain 15 amino acids, which makes it the undisputed leader among other fruits in terms of the content of this type of organic compounds. In addition, it contains anthocyanins, isoflavonoids, antioxidants that improve the functioning of all internal organs and systems.

Pomegranate juice prevents breast cancer, increases the effectiveness of treatment during chemotherapy. The healing properties of the drink are due to the components of the fetus, which in turn block the synthesis of estrogen, which stimulates the appearance of a breast tumor.

For the prevention of oncology, women of all ages are recommended to drink a glass of freshly squeezed pomegranate juice every day.

9. Regulates blood sugar levels. The drink cleanses and strengthens blood vessels, maintains stable glucose levels.

Fresh pomegranate juice is useful for diabetes.

10. Eliminates inflammatory processes in the liver, alleviates the condition after a hangover.

Remember, the “miraculous effect” of the drink depends on its quality. The natural product does not contain flavors, preservatives and dyes. In the process of choosing pomegranate juice, freshly squeezed product should be preferred over bottled. Better yet, cook it at home from high-quality ripe fruits with a juicer or by hand. The only drawback of the resulting natural drink will be a slight bitterness. To improve the taste of the juice, it is drunk with cane sugar or flower honey.

Contraindications and harm

First of all, pomegranate concentrate cannot be consumed in its pure form due to the high content of organic acids. By acting on dentin, it negatively affects the strength of tooth enamel, which can lead to a violation of its integrity, the appearance of caries. It is recommended to drink the drink through a straw and rinse your mouth with water after drinking. In no case should you brush your teeth right away, as you can scratch the weakened enamel.

Contraindications:

• peptic ulcer of the duodenum or stomach, gastritis, accompanied by high acidity, heartburn;
• constipation, hemorrhoids;
• allergy;
• pancreatitis.

Remember, concentrated pomegranate juice is irritating to the stomach and esophagus, so it should be mixed with water before drinking. In excessive amounts, the drink is harmful to human health and can cause convulsions, increased blood pressure, dizziness, blurred vision, constipation, colitis, transition of gastritis or ulcers from chronic to acute.

The safe daily allowance for pomegranate juice is 200-400 ml.

Infants and children under one year old are strictly forbidden to introduce a drink into complementary foods, since pectin compounds, folacin and tannins have a pronounced effect on the baby’s weakened digestive system, which can harm the child, lead to overload and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, and the development of an allergic reaction.

How to make yourself

In order to avoid acquiring store fakes, it is recommended to prepare fruit, vegetable and berry juices yourself. This can be done with a mechanical or electric juicer.

What method of fruit processing should be preferred and how to do it correctly?

First of all, you should analyze the available material resources, as well as determine how much juice will need to be squeezed regularly.

A manual juicer is a budget option for systematically obtaining no more than 400 ml of concentrate per day. For this purpose, you can use a device model designed for citrus fruits. To get pomegranate juice, cut in half, put the pulp down on a cone-shaped peak and, with the help of physical force, twist the product a little in different directions.

Another type of mechanical juicer is a press. In this case, you do not need to scroll the fruit on the cone, you just need to put half the fruit into the bowl and lower the lever, applying effort. This method of processing pomegranate allows you to get pure juice with a minimum content of pulp. However, the procedure should not be carried out too quickly, otherwise the spray will scatter in all directions. Also, the fruit can be squeezed out manually.

The greater the load on the product, the sooner the juice will flow out. However, this method of processing the fruit causes a lot of trouble and does not allow it to be squeezed to the maximum.

To facilitate the work, it is recommended to give preference to an electric juicer, which will make the process of making juice as fast and comfortable as possible. Unlike mechanical devices, it has an engine with a power of 20 to 100 watts. To obtain juice, it is enough to peel the fruit, cut it in half, put it in a bowl, lower the holder, turn on the device. After a couple of minutes, the juice will be ready to drink.

Freshly squeezed natural concentrate is slightly bitter, because during the pressing process the partitions are not removed from the fruit. They, in turn, contain the phenolic compound tannin, which gives the drink a bitter aftertaste.

Pomegranate for weight loss

During weight loss, the human body is in a state of stress, experiencing an increased need for vitamins and mineral compounds. To maintain the balance of nutrients, a low-calorie granular pomegranate fruit is introduced into the diet of a losing weight. In 100 g of the pulp of the product, no more than 56 calories are concentrated, 8-25% of the seeds, 26-49% of the peel, 50-75% of the juice.

The benefits of pomegranate lies in the grains, which contribute to the breakdown of fat cells in the body, normalize metabolism.

People with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (especially with ulcers, gastritis), individual intolerance to the fruit should abandon this method of losing weight. In addition, pomegranate juice strengthens, so in case of constipation, its use should be avoided.

What are the options for weight management with a fruit drink?

Fasting days

There are two options for the daily diet menu. In the first case, during the fasting day, pomegranate juice (2,5 l), diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1, should be taken every 1 hours. In the second, 3 fruits are additionally introduced into the “liquid” diet. In this case, the diet menu is structured in such a way as to alternate pomegranate and juice intake. This option is suitable for people who do not tolerate fasting.

pomegranate diet

This method of losing weight is designed for 10 days. The main feature of the dietary diet is not to drink pomegranate juice on an empty stomach, because in this case it will stimulate the appetite. That is why it is recommended to drink it exclusively between meals three times a day, 200 ml each. On a pomegranate diet, you can lose up to 4 kg in 10 days. At the same time, it is important to ensure that the calorie content of the daily diet of a person who is losing weight does not exceed 1500-1700 kcal.

First of all, after waking up, you need to drink a glass of water, after 30 minutes, eat half of one pomegranate fruit. The second breakfast consists of boiled buckwheat (150 g). In the process of its preparation, oil, sugar, salt and other dressings should not be used. For lunch, it is allowed to eat lean fish, steamed (100 g) in combination with boiled buckwheat (100 g). For lunch – one apple. Dinner is crowned with a salad of greens, cucumbers, tomatoes (100 g) and boiled buckwheat (100 g). At night, you should drink 200 ml of kefir 1%. Contrary to popular belief about the fat-burning properties of a fermented milk drink, it does not solve the problem of “slow metabolism” at all, but facilitates the tolerance of a low-calorie diet.

Nutritionists do not recommend increasing the duration of the pomegranate diet, because due to the aggressive effect of fruit juice on the gastric mucosa, you can get gastritis. In addition, it lowers blood pressure, which is dangerous for hypotensive patients.

Slimming mixture

The recipe for the miraculous composition: the pulp of one pomegranate, together with the seeds, is kneaded in a mortar, 10 ml of olive oil are added and mixed thoroughly. The resulting mixture should be consumed twice a day before meals. The principle of its action is based on cleansing the body. Once in the digestive tract, it absorbs slags and toxins like a sponge, saturates with useful unsaturated omega acids. As a result, losing weight feels lightness and comfort. In addition, when drinking juice with pulp and seeds, the general condition of the body improves: cell regeneration processes are accelerated, headaches are reduced, the nervous system is restored, hormonal levels are normalized, cholesterol levels are reduced, excess fat reserves are burned, bones are strengthened.

Interestingly, based on pomegranate, you can make cocktails that stimulate metabolic processes in the body. Fruit and berry and fruit and vegetable juices are best prepared by yourself immediately before use and served in glass glasses. This will eliminate the possibility of oxidizing the vitamin drink. To speed up the metabolism, pomegranate juice is recommended to be mixed with grapefruit, lemon, apple or carrot. They not only contribute to the burning of body fat, but also prevent the development of beriberi.

Selection criteria and storage

If it is not possible to prepare pomegranate juice, it can be purchased at the store, however, how to buy a high-quality healthy product and not fall for the marketing tricks of manufacturers? To do this, you need to pay attention to the color, composition, name, price and packaging of the goods. As a rule, in these positions, the manufacturer indicates important information that informs the buyer about the authenticity of the product.

Tips on how to choose and distinguish natural juice from a fake:

1. Package. A premium quality product is always packaged and sold in glass bottles. At the same time, the label must necessarily indicate its expiration date, and the production date is in the range “September-January”, which corresponds to the pomegranate harvesting season.
2. Price. Natural juice cannot be cheap. To obtain 1 liter of pomegranate concentrate, you need 3 kg of fruit. In addition, it should be borne in mind that the price of the final product consists not only of the cost of raw materials, containers, but also on the method of its processing, the distance of transportation.

Remember, in countries where pomegranate is grown, juice is cheaper than in areas where it is not cultivated.

3. Name. The label should only contain the word “juice” (straight-pressed) and not “nectar”.
4. Manufacturer. The exporter should be the state where the pomegranate grows. It is cultivated in Iran, Spain, Italy, the countries of the Middle East, Portugal, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Greece, the Caucasus, Afghanistan, France, southern Dagestan, Azerbaijan, Armenia.
5. Compound. Natural pomegranate juice does not contain preservatives, glucose, dyes, concentrated fruit, vegetable, berry puree or other juice, such as beetroot.
6. Color. The natural concentrate has a very rich, red-burgundy color and a pink sediment at the bottom, which completely dissolves when the jar is shaken. The drink is translucent in the sun. Too red or light color on the contrary indicates that the product is diluted with water. While a brown tint indicates that the juice is made from rose hips or pomegranate peels.

An open can of canned juice is stored at a temperature of +3 … +6 degrees under a tightly closed lid for no more than 24 hours. It is recommended to prepare the drink yourself or buy from trusted manufacturers.

What is the best pomegranate juice company?

Supplier rating: “I” (Russia), “NOYAN PREMIUM” (Armenia), “4U” (Azerbaijan). According to the test samples, the composition of pomegranate juice from these manufacturers does not include chemical additives, they comply with the technical regulations.

F.A.Q.

What to do if pomegranate juice fermented?

In this case, homemade wine can be made from it. To do this, sugar and raisins are added to the fermented juice, the must is left for a week. Then vodka is introduced into the composition, wait another 5 days, filter the drink, bottle it. In addition, pomegranate makes a delicious tincture.

How old do you have to be to drink juice?

From the age of one year, in the absence of allergy to pomegranate. In addition, the composition of the drink should not contain pulp, seeds. Juice can be given in between meals, but by no means in the morning (instead of breakfast).

Note to a young mother: fresh pomegranate juice for children is made independently from fresh fruits immediately before use. To do this, part of the fruit is enough to squeeze and strain. The drink is introduced into the baby’s diet with one teaspoon (5 ml). In the absence of an allergic reaction, the dose is gradually increased to 10-15 ml. Juice is given necessarily in a diluted form no more than twice a week.

Remember, pomegranate drink should not be given to a newborn baby with a weakened digestive system. Also, it should be carefully included in the diet of a young mother when breastfeeding. During this period, the baby’s body is most sensitive to milk. If a nursing woman drank a pomegranate drink and the child refuses to breastfeed, starts to act up, cry, or a rash appears on his body, you should immediately stop taking it. Most likely, the baby’s body is not yet ready to accept a new product with mother’s milk.

Is it possible to introduce pomegranate into the diabetic menu?

Yes, it helps lower blood sugar levels.

Pomegranate juice weakens or strengthens?

Krepit.

Can you drink pomegranate juice for gout?

Yes, but in moderation, not exceeding the daily portion of the drink. It normalizes the levels of uric acid and cholesterol in the blood.

Pomegranate – benefit or harm in early, late pregnancy?

This is a valuable product recommended for use by a future mother during all 9 months of bearing a baby. It improves overall well-being, improves mood, increases efficiency, helps to cheer up, relieves toxicosis, eliminates discomfort in the stomach, and maintains normal hemoglobin levels. Freshly squeezed concentrate treats scurvy and anemia.

Is it true that pomegranate juice is prescribed for bleeding?

Contrary to popular belief that the fruit thins the blood, on the contrary, it thickens it a little, increasing clotting. Thanks to this, the drink helps to reduce blood loss during childbirth and strengthen the gums during pregnancy.

Why do you always want grenades?

Most likely, the body is in need of iron, which raises hemoglobin.

How to remove red spots from a pomegranate?

You need to act quickly. To do this, just put dirty clothes in cold water with the addition of soda and leave for 30 minutes. Then rinse the item in the usual way.

Why does urine turn red after drinking pomegranate juice?

The composition of the fruit includes coloring pigments that give urine a scarlet hue. However, at present there is no consensus on whether this phenomenon is harmless or dangerous. Some believe that there is nothing to worry about, others argue that the discoloration of urine is due to the fact that the kidneys do not cope with their function. Therefore, in the event of a similar situation, it is recommended to take tests and diagnose the organs of the excretory system.

How is pomegranate juice used in cooking?

Based on it, sweet and sour sauce is prepared for main dishes. In addition, meat can be marinated in natural pomegranate juice (to soften the fibers) and baked in the oven.

Conclusion

Pomegranate juice is the “king of vitamins” among fruits, which has pronounced anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial properties. The drink is a natural tool for correcting body weight, normalizes metabolism, promotes weight loss.

TOP 10 reasons to drink pomegranate juice: helps remove radiation, heals the skin, lowers blood pressure, blood sugar, drives out worms, increases hemoglobin, hormone activity, relieves inflammation, disinfects the oral cavity, stops diarrhea. In addition, the drink is needed to raise the immune system, the rapid recovery of the body after surgery.

Considering the opinions of experts, the best brands of pomegranate juice are 4U (Azerbaijan), NOYAN PREMIUM (Armenia), Ya (Russia). In the selection process, you should look in detail at the product label. On it should be written: “Pomegranate juice 100%, direct extraction. Top grade.” Otherwise, you should refuse to purchase the product.

Pomegranate concentrate is used in a diluted form to fortify the body, maintain a healthy heart and reproductive system, slow down the progression of colon, breast, prostate cancer, reduce calcium deposits in bones, joints, and quickly heal skin lesions. The safe daily allowance for a healthy adult is no more than 400 ml.

Treatment with pomegranate juice is contraindicated in gastric ulcers, pancreatitis, allergic orientation of the body.

Remember, if you use a low-quality fake drink, you can get poisoned.