ABSTRACT
Due to the presence of outstanding balance of phytonutrients, the pomegranates have been considered as one of many highly beneficial functional foods. The health-imparting and disease-preventing effects of pomegranates make them an excellent therapeutic food for both the pharmaceutical as well as the nutraceutical industries. The leaves, the seeds, the juice, and even the peels of pomegranate fruit exert significant advantageous influences of the health of consumers. A large array of phytochemicals can be found in the pomegranates, making it one of the best in combating many ailments in human beings. Although the risks of toxicity due to balanced consumption of pomegranates are very minimal, some allergic reactions can be observed in the individuals who have genetic susceptibilities to manifest the allergic responses on over-consumption of pomegranates. In the ancient times, the pomegranates were considered as the symbols of fertility, aesthetic appearance, and life. It was also used as a symbol of worshipping in earlier Greek mythologies. Numerous research has been carried out to establish firm records for the health benefits of pomegranates. The studies have implied that the pomegranates possess a remarkable blend of disease-fighting natural chemical compounds which have been proven to be effective against a number of pathologies including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory processes, metabolic syndromes, and much more to mention. A poised proportion of pomegranates are also added as a part of weight control regimens by nutrition professionals. Many bioactive compounds of pomegranates such as ellagic acid, gallic acid, and flavonoids have demonstrated antibacterial and antiviral properties as well. It is immensely essential to cater the production and growth of pomegranates in agriculture in order to fully benefit from their natural health-promoting bioactive constituents.
