Whether or Not It’s OK to Eat Grapes and Pomegranates With Seeds
There are 2 types of people who like pomegranates and grapes: those that eat them with seeds, and those that don’t.
5-Minute Crafts learned what scientific data is there about pomegranate and grape seeds and whether they can be consumed.
What elements are there in seeds
Grape seeds contain a large number of nutrients and vitamins.
For example:
- minerals
- protein
- fiber
- potassium
- calcium
- phosphorus
- magnesium
- iron
- zinc
- vitamin Е and others
Phenolic compounds in pomegranate seeds improve memory and general brain health.
Seeds are used for making an extract, which is a useful food supplement. It is produced in liquid or solid form. It is obtained by removing the oil from the seeds, drying them, grinding them, and further processing them.
This extract is rich in antioxidants, which have a positive effect on blood circulation and blood pressure as well as strengthen the walls of the blood vessels. At the same time, their effectiveness can be 10–20 times greater than those found in fresh vegetables and fruits.
Pomegranate seeds are edible in their usual form, and when dried — as a spice.
These seeds have been found to be rich in antioxidants, containing over 19% lipids and a predominant amount of punicic acid, which is a fatty acid. The latter, in turn, is a source of energy for cells. The pomegranate seed oil contains more beneficial fatty acids than grapeseed oil.
Another useful property that was found as a result of studies on rats is the ability of pomegranate seeds to neutralize the effects of certain toxic substances.
Scientists suggest that pomegranate seeds, just like grape seeds, can be used as healthy food supplements.
How they affect the body
Certain age-related changes can be explained by the accumulation of senescent cells, due to which a secretory phenotype, which is also involved in the aging process, develops.
Scientists found out that this process can be stopped by a substance found in grape seeds. Procyanidin has a selective effect on senescent cells and shows remarkable results in experiments with mice. The research found not only the improvement of physical conditions in rodents but also an increase in their lifespan.
