"pomegranates" news and stories

Earlier this month, we heard about the findings of a study that showed blackberries as having the highest concentrations of antioxidants per one cup serving of any food. Granted, we don't necessarily think anyone would want to eat a cup of blackberries every single day for the rest of his or her life. You might be leaving out other important foods by doing so, and besides, eating the same thing every day is boring.

We already know that pomegranates are antioxidant powerhouses, with the ability to improve cardiovascular health, help arthritis, and fight those darned free radicals that are loitering around your body. However, a new study out of Israel suggests that pomegranate juice, though highly concentrated with sugar, could benefit diabetics.

The findings showed that pomegranate juice had no effect on blood sugar levels (i.e. did not increase it). However, it did reduce levels of other compounds that affect cardiovascular health. Consistently high glucose levels intensify the hardening of blood vessels. This is called atherosclerosis, and leads to cardiovascular disease and stroke. According to lead researcher Professor Michael Aviram, "In most juices, sugars are present in free – and harmful – forms. In pomegranate juice, however, the sugars are attached to unique antioxidants, which actually make these sugars protective against atherosclerosis."

Source

Seven new "superfoods" have been added to the original list of 14 by Dr. Steven Pratt, the founder of the superfoods movement. Superfoods are generally defined as foods that are incredibly nutrient dense, more so than any other foods. In his new book, Pratt describes the nutritional properties of these foods in detail, as well as naming similar foods, or "sidekicks", which have similar properties. Pratt's seven new superfoods are:

• Pomegranates
• Apples
• Kiwi
• Honey
• Cinnamon 
• Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Dark Chocolate

I wonder if there are any recipes that involve all the superfoods. These new ones seem as though they might be combined into some sort of dessert, but once you have added beans, blueberries, salmon and soy from the original 14, your dish will start to look very unusual, not to mention fairly unappetizing.

Source