Every year in the fall, pomegranates make their glorious appearance. They have a fairly short season from September to December so you won’t find them in your grocery store year round.

The edible part of the pomegranate is the arils and one pomegranate can contain over 1,000 of these little gems! In addition to being beautiful and flavorful, it also packs a nutritious punch. They are high in antioxidants, vitamin C, and potassium which is great support for our immune systems as cold and flu season starts to pick up.

Pomegranate has been touted as a super food for it’s many antioxidants that promote heart health. They are high in polyphenols and research shows these chemicals protect against atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. They also contain chemicals called punicalagins or ellagitannins that are proposed to help prevent your artery walls from thickening and reduce the build up of cholesterol and plaque. Pomegranates have also been linked to a reduction in bad LDL cholesterol and an increase in good HDL cholesterol which can lower your risk for strokes and heart attacks.

If this wasn’t enough, pomegranates are also promoted for their link to cancer risk reduction and for promoting urinary, digestive, joint and brain health. So the next time you are in the supermarket, pick up a pomegranate and enjoy all the flavorful and nutritious benefits of this seasonal superfood!

Recipe Ideas:

• Pomegranate Yogurt Parfait
• Squash, Pomegranate, and Spinach Salad
  

Edited by: Emily Fear, MS, RDN, LDN, CDP
Contact Sodexo’s Nutrition Expert: Elisabeth Bass, elisabeth.bass@sodexo.com