It is not surprising that scientists in Israel were the first group to conduct research on the health benefits of pomegranates. One of the seven species mentioned in the Torah and indigenous to The Land of Israel, pomegranates are as heavily laden with Jewish symbolism and legend as they are with seeds. Tradition has it that a pomegranate has 613 seeds which represent the 613 commandments in the Torah. Pomegranates were also found carved into the lintels of the earliest synagogues and were woven into ancient fabrics and hammered silver and gold objects. The pomegranate is also mentioned in the "Song of Songs". It is the symbol of fertility, relating to the first commandment of the Torah, to be fruitful and multiply.

Tradition aside, the pomegranate has many health benefits.

• The fruit is rich in potassium, the third most abundant mineral in the body and is essential for good health. Potassium can help lower high blood pressure and sufficient amounts in our diet can help protect us against heart disease, hypoglycemia, diabetes, obesity and kidney disease. It also helps keep muscles strong, bowels regular and works to eliminate irritability, confusion and stress.
• Pomegranate juice has more antioxidants that keep bad LDL cholesterol from oxidizing) than other known antioxidant drinks such as red wine, green tea, blueberry juice, cranberry juice and orange juice.
• The pomegranate is rich in vitamin B6 which is important for our immune system. It is needed for more than 100 enzymes involved in protein metabolism, is essential for red blood cell metabolism, the nervous and immune systems need vitamin B6 to function efficiently, and it is also needed for the conversion of tryptophan (an amino acid) to niacin.
• The fruit may cause constipation so it should not be eaten in excess by those who suffer from this, but on the other hand pomegranate juice can help calm diarrhea.
• One pomegranate is approximately 100 calories.

So if you haven't eaten a pomegranate lately, perhaps you should...