Reasons to not waste pomegranate peel and how to use it for various proven health benefits

Pomegranate rind or peel powder has many medicinal nutritional health benefits. It is useful in diabetes, fights cancer, protects liver, heart and brain from oxidative stress and degenerative diseases, and useful in oral health. It has antioxidants, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that makes it useful in treatment of various infections.

Pomegranate peel or rind powder nutritional composition

  • improved dietary fibers and total phenols
  • significant increase in Calcium, Potassium, Iron and Zinc levels

pomegranate-peel-powder-health-benefits,-uses-and-how-to

Health benefits of pomegranate peel powder

Useful in diabetes mellitus

Studies has found that a combination of black bean peel and pomegranate peel extracts, have the ability to ameliorate an excess of glucose in the bloodstream by inhibiting oxidative stress induced damage to the pancreas.
This finding may be useful in the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Anti-oxidants

Recent study has indicated that pomegranate peel has increased total phenol content and antioxidant activity.

Protects the liver

Studies indicate that phytochemical components of  pomegranate peel or rind that contribute to liver health and protects liver against oxidiative stress.

Cardiovascular health

Study has shown that dietary supplementation with pomegranate peel powder over a period of four weeks significantly reduced serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and lipid peroxidation level. It is useful for heart health and natural treatment of high levels of cholesterol in the blood.

Good for brain health

Studies indicate that pomegranate peel has potential neuroprotective role and protectcts the brain from oxidative stress, neurodegenerative diseases,and aluminum toxicity.

Protects from infections

Study has proven that pomogranate peel has anti-infective properties, together with other nutritionally beneficial effects, make a pomogranate peel promising supplement in human food to prevent disease associated with Salmonella Infections.

Anti-cancer and cancer prevention

Recent in vitro study has found that polyphenols in pomegranate rind could be a potential treatment to suppress bladder cancer cell proliferation.

Antibacterial and antifungal

Study has found that pomegranate peel extracts exhibit antibacterial and antifungal activity against oral pathogens. Using pomegranate peel infusion can be used as mouthwash and controlling oral infections.

Anti-microbial

Recent in vitro study has found that the pomegranate fruit peel and pure constituents exhibit antimicrobial property against a broad panel of  tuberculosis and respiratory infections.

Suppress tumor cell

Recent study indicate that  pomegranate peel extract inhibited the cell proliferation of chronic myeloid leukemia cells.

How to make pomegranate peel powder at home?

Choosing the right pomegranate

Always choose organic or home grown pomegranate and wash the peel properly in order to make use of pomegranate peel or rind.

Drying of Pomegranate Peels

Peels were cut into small pieces (i.e. 3 cm × 3 cm), placed into plastic containers, and were kept in a freezer at 40°C for at least 16 hours. The frozen peels were freeze dried(i.e. freeze drying started from – 40°C and ended at 20°C) Dried peels were then stored in a desiccator for one week before being ground into powder.
Alternatively, wash and manually separated peel. Divide into small pieces and dried open air under shade. Once dried powder it in the blender or grinder.

How to use pomegranate peel?

Pomegranate peel powder supplementation in baked products as a potential source of micro and macronutrients. It seems to be a potential disease preventive and ameliorative approach in tandem with its preservation and nutritional enhancement features.