These days we’re constantly hearing of “superfoods” with all kinds of incredible health benefits. Well, pomegranates and pomegranate juice may be one of the most super.

It’s weird the things that stick with us. Because of a grade school teacher’s fascination with Roman mythology, I will forever link pomegranates with winter. Ceres, the harvest goddess, was a working mom who couldn’t always keep an eye on her daughter Prosperina. Naturally, she got herself whisked away by Hades, god of the underworld. Before she could be rescued, the poor child ate a few pomegranate seeds.

As a punishment, she had to return to the underworld for a corresponding number of months each year. Ceres, understandably distraught, would plunge the world into winter while her daughter was gone. Why eating a few pomegranate seeds should invoke such a punishment was never clearly explained. But every time I see a pomegranate, I think of ancient Rome, Ceres and winter.

Now, though, growing research has me looking at these seed-filled red globes in a whole new light. Apparently, Israeli scientists have been studying the health benefits of pomegranates and pomegranate juice for years, and recently, researchers around the world have joined in. And more than two years ago, NPR was proclaiming it the fruit du jour: “There’s pomegranate juice, vodka, salad dressing, ice cream, salsa, lollipops and gummy bears. You can put pomegranate essence in your hair [conditioning rinse] or on your skin [cream and perfume]. In the last few years, hundreds of new pomegranate products have come on the market.” Continue reading “Pomegranates as superfoods: Who knew?” →