In fact, she shares that “According to research studies1, the antioxidant potential of pomegranate juice is more than that of red wine and green tea.” But for Davar, there’s another benefit that is key: the impact of this fruit on gut health. “One of the most important health-related functions of the pomegranate is their effect on gut microbiota and their potential use as antimicrobial agents,” she shares. How do pomegranate seeds benefit the gut? That’s twofold: First, some of those aforementioned compounds are used in metabolic processes by the microbiota of the colon. But pomegranate seeds are also a good source of prebiotic fiber: “Fiber from the seeds contributes to gut health by serving as a prebiotic (food for probiotic, live gut-friendly bacteria) and providing the necessary bulk to keep the bowel movement regular and optimize digestive health,” says Davar. “Anthocyanins in the pomegranate play a major role as a functional food component,” she explains. “These water-soluble plant pigments belong to the family of flavonoids and are responsible for the color of the fruit and its juice.” Because they’re what color the fruit is inside the peel, these antioxidants are also present in the juice of the fruit (though you’ll miss out on the prebiotics). For Davar, her favorite use is to basically add the seeds as a topping: “My favorite way to eat it is to sprinkle it on salads, plain yogurt, or oatmeal for an extra pop of color and crunch,” she says. “One of my favorites, Georgian cuisine, boasts a variety of recipes using pomegranates for meat marinades,” she shares, “and as an ingredient in meals such as eggplant rolls with walnuts and pomegranate, pomegranate chicken, or roasted pomegranate salmon.”
