The fruit mentioned in the Bible which could help prevent cancer

A fruit that has been cultivated since ancient times and is even mentioned in the Bible could help reduce your risk of cancer. Pomegranates are generally believed to have originated in a part of Asia that now covers Iran and parts of India. The bright red fruit is hailed for being low in calories while high in a number of vitamins, minerals and fibre - which boast a wide range of health benefits.

While the fruit itself is generally large, it is the seeds inside which contain the powerful benefits. Many of these benefits can also be obtained by drinking pomegranate juice - although how much the whole fruit was used in the juice-making process will have an impact on this. Read below for a full breakdown on some of the key health benefits of consuming pomegranate.



.. One pomegranate contains more than one third of an adult's recommended amount of daily fibre.

This substance helps to lower the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and bowel cancer. Official guidance states most people people in the UK are not getting enough fibre in their diet. The organisation is encouraging people to eat more vegetables and fruit that can deliver fibre to the body as part of a balanced diet, such as pomegranate.

A number of studies have found that pomegranate could play a role in preventing certain types of cancers when consumed regularly. In , it was found that the fruit, as well as juice made from it, can help to modulate 'multiple signalling pathways'. This suggests it could play a role in preventing and even treating a number of cancers affecting the skin, prostate, colon, lung, and breast.

However, researchers have noted that more studies need to be carried out before definitive conclusions can be drawn. Pomegranate contains two particular compounds that can reduce inflammation throughout the body - ellagitannins and punicalagins. Ellagitannins are a type of polyphenol with anti-inflammatory effects, which can also be found in pomegranate juice when the whole fruit is pressed for it.

This substance is largely fermented in the colon, where it is turned into urolithins, which travel all over the body, reducing inflammation and even reducing age-related negative effects. Aside from being an anti-inflammatory, ellagitannins as well as other polyphenols and flavonoids found in pomegranate boast powerful antioxidant effects. These substances help to reduce the level of free radicals in the body which can damage cells, thus contributing to aging and even cancer growth in some cases.

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