Pomegranates are a wonderful delicious fruit. They contain many different antioxidants and are a wonderful source of nutrition. Sadly, the pomegranate fruit (Punica granatum) can only be found in select months of the year.
One way I like to continue receiving the health benefits of pomegranates is by drinking pomegranate tea. Since it is very low cost per cup compared to pomegranate juice, it is a very smart choice. It contains not only the antioxidants of the pomegranate fruit, but it also contains the antioxidants from the tea itself! You’ll certainly get a long list of health benefits from pomegranate green tea!
Pomegranate Green Tea Is A Great Addition To Your Diet
To find pomegranate tea, you can generally look at your local grocery store. You should be able to find pomegranate green tea bags. If you can’t find them, many online stores offer pomegranate green tea.
Another option is to try to find pomegranate white tea. Whichever you decide to drink, they are both equally great. Oftentimes, you can decide to buy loose-leaf pomegranate teas. These usually have more antioxidant properties than the tea bags do and generally taste better as it is a lot less processed.
Health Benefits of Pomegranate Tea
Pomegranate tea has a host of health benefits that stem from pomegranate juice. Here are just a few.
The Antioxidant Potential Of Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranate has been a food known for its strong antioxidant qualities and health properties since ancient times. The pomegranate in pure form is a fruit with seeds or arils, which are the actual edible portion of the plant.
Through the centuries, this fruit has been consumed either as raw seed, made into a sauce, or the seeds are crushed and blended to make a tea drink. Pomegranate tea is a healthy alternative beverage with the benefits of improving heart health, increasing immune system functioning, and preserving mental health balance.
Benefits To The Heart
Pomegranate tea contains high levels of antioxidants that protect the heart and cardiovascular system and reduce bad cholesterol also known as LDL. According to the Mayo Clinic clinical studies have shown that daily consumption of a cup of pomegranate juice can slow the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries that could lead to heart disease.
In addition to lower overall cholesterol levels, studies have also shown that it can lower blood pressure with daily use compared to people who did not add pomegranate tea to their daily diet.
The reason for the heart benefits is the potent fruit in the pomegranate is rich with polyphenols, tannins, and anthocyanins, which are the primary protective chemicals needed by the body to fight toxins.
Weight Loss
Pomegranate tea has also demonstrated potential in aiding weight loss efforts. The tea’s natural sugars are less concentrated compared to other fruit juices, and the beverage itself is typically low in calories.
Incorporating pomegranate tea into a balanced diet might support weight management while providing essential nutrients such as Vitamin K and fiber.
Furthermore, pomegranate tea’s anti-inflammatory effects can help regulate insulin resistance, making it a potential asset for individuals looking to manage blood sugar levels.
Benefits To The Immune System
Pomegranates are known for having essential vitamins such as riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus. The high content of vitamins offered in addition to the antioxidants provide a daily boost to the immune system.
Daily use of pomegranate tea can offer decreased opportunity for virus and infection during prime cold-catching season and can further improve chances of limiting a cold once symptoms are present.
Benefits To Mental Health
Pomegranate is gaining credence for helping improve depression symptoms. Research reported in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology shows promise in lab experiments that could indicate use for pomegranate juices, extracts, and teas in women struggling with depression symptoms during menopause.
Other Health Benefits Of Pomegranate Tea
This type of tea has emerged as a promising addition to the repertoire of health-conscious beverages in recent years. Its remarkable antioxidant potential, derived from various parts of the pomegranate fruit, addresses concerns related to oxidative stress and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Regular consumption of pomegranate tea may aid in weight management, and the active ingredients may improve cardiovascular health, and contribute to the overall well-being of an individual. However, it’s important to note that while pomegranate tea offers a wide array of potential health benefits, it should not be considered a standalone remedy. Incorporating it into a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle is key to reaping its advantages fully.
As with any natural remedy, moderation is crucial. While pomegranate tea is generally considered safe for consumption, excessive intake might lead to side effects and maybe new health problems such as digestive problems of the digestive tract due to its natural sugars. Also, those with allergies to the fruit should exercise caution.
Ultimately, pomegranate tea can be a delightful and nourishing addition to one’s daily routine. Its versatility as both a warm or cold beverage, its rich flavor, and its extensive research-backed benefits make it a valuable choice for those seeking to enhance their overall health, promote skin health, and embrace the protective effects of its powerful antioxidants.
Making Pomegranate Tea
Once you get your tea, you’ll need to steep it. Heat your water to a very hot temperature, usually around 160-180 degrees. Steep your pomegranate green tea for 2-3 minutes. Brew this tea as you would other herbal tisanes.
You can also make iced tea with pomegranate green tea. Usually, this should be made exactly like iced black tea, except using the pomegranate green tea bags instead. I would not recommend adding too much sugar.
You can buy ready-to-drink pomegranate green iced tea. However, you’ll need to watch out for the ingredients. Oftentimes they contain high fructose corn syrup and have a lot of sugar, that can affect your digestive health – which sort of cancels out the health benefits of drinking the tea in the first place.
One thing I recommend doing is looking for Stash Lightly Sweetened Pomegranate Green Tea Powdered Drink Mix. These are individual packets that you can mix into a 16oz bottle of water. It’s only 50 calories per packet so it is a smart choice.
Whether enjoyed alone or as part of a specialty tea blend, pomegranate tea stands out as a natural elixir that celebrates the fusion of flavor and well-being.
