All-in-one wonder

All-in-one wonder

    An extract from the pomegranate fruit makes for the biggest medical breakthrough since 1829, when Aspirin was discovered in willow trees, say scientists. Research scholars are describing it as the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of natural pharmaceuticals because it can do so many things – from improving heart health, lowering blood pressure, treating inflammation, reducing the risk of cancers to tackling sexual dysfunction. For the first time, scientists have been able to unlock the precious new extract from the seeds, skin and pith of pomegranates. They found that it contains concentrated punicalagins, a plant nutrient that is virtually unique to it.
    Punicalagins are mostly found in the pomegranate’s inedible husk, rind, seeds and inner yellow membranes, which until now we tended to throw away. There are some in the juicy arils too (capsules), but the concentrations are low and the processing methods frequently remove the benefits. “We have been throwing away the seeds, skin and the pith of pomegranates for thousands of years because they are inedible and we haven’t had the science to enable us to release the benefits,” said Dr Sergio Streitenberger, head of research about the breakthrough.