Did you know that pomegranates boost fertility? They really are one of our favourite fertility super foods and with the pomegranate season running from September to February, they really are at their best at this time of year. We definitely recommend regularly drinking an antioxidant-rich glass of your own juiced pomegranates. Grown in the Mediterranean for thousands of years, the pomegranate is one of the world’s oldest known fruits and is revered as a symbol of health and especially fertility. Not only does the pomegranate, and particularly its many seeds, symbolize fertility in the art of ancient cultures, but it has been proven to contain healing properties. Pomegranates have been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, to eliminate parasites, lower blood pressure, assist in dental issues and prevent cancer.
Pomegranates are an excellent source of flavonoids and polyphenols. They also contain vitamin C, vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), folic acid along with, vitamin A, vitamin E and fibre. Pomegranates are the only fruit that contain special compounds called Punicalagins, which have potent immune supporting and anti-cancer properties. Punicalagins, in studies, appear to improve apopotosis (programmed cell death) and so this would speed up the process of removing cells that are not functioning in the correct way in the body – hence the anti-cancer properties of the pomegranate.
In relation to fertility, Pomegranates are thought to improve and help balance oestrogen and progesterone levels in women. Pomegranates help to stimulate a healthy sex drive as well as containing a good quantity of folic acid, essential for conception and a healthy baby. They have been found to boost fertility by increasing blood flow to the uterus, promoting uterine lining.
Pomegranates and sperm quality
In men, pomegranates boost fertility by improving sperm quality and mobility, and erectile dysfunction (Journal of Urology 2005). In research it has also been discovered that pomegranate juice may help improve sexual performance and thus fertility. Research by C.P. Forest, published in the “International Journal of Impotence Research” in 2007, revealed that pomegranate juice improves erections in men with erectile dysfunction. This may be due, in part, to the effect of pomegranate juice on nitric oxide, a substance that enables smooth muscles in the walls of blood vessels – such as in the penis – to relax, widen and increase blood flow.
Pomegranates can be enjoyed in the form of a juice or seeds, but can also be consumed in the form of syrup, paste, nectar or concentrate. Drinking 8oz of 100% organic pomegranate juice per day of your cycle is said to be the key to increasing your baby-making potential! This amount also contains a good nutritional intake of folic acid!
Important! Pomegranate can interact with some statin drugs used for high blood pressure and controlling cholesterol levels, as well as some blood thinners, so always check with your GP if you are taking any medication for these conditions.
Pomegranate and cranberry sauce
Ingredients:
1 pomegranate – seeds only
10 oz cranberries
1 cinnamon stick
Pinch of ground cloves
½ pint of orange juice
1 tea cup of sugar
Zest of 1 orange
Place the sugar, orange juice and zest, cranberries, ground cloves, and cinnamon stick together in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and cool. Stir the pomegranate seeds into the cranberry mixture, and place into the fridge overnight. Remove the cinnamon sticks before serving.
Pomegranate, avocado and watercress salad with blood oranges
Ingredients:
8 large blood oranges
6 bunches watercress
1/2 to 3/4 cup pomegranate seeds
1 cup slivered almonds, toasted
2 ripe avocados
With a small, sharp knife, cut the ends from the oranges and peel, dividing into individual segments into a bowl. Chop the skinned avocado into even slices. Rinse and dry the watercress. Gently mix the watercress and orange segments, adding the avocado slices last. Garnish each salad with pomegranate seeds and toasted almonds. Add a low fat dressing of your choice.
You can also try adding pomegranate seeds to our recipe for cauliflower couscous recipe.
If you have concerns about your fertility and are interested in finding out about male and female fertility assessment, please call 01992 78 50 60 or email us on enquiries@hertsandessexfertility.com or via our online contact form.
