Pomegranates start to appear in late October. But peak season is perfectly in sync with the festive season and now’s the time that market stalls and supermarket shelves are brimming over with the ruby red fruit in all shades and sizes.

Pomegranate is considered a superfood – both in terms of the sweet, sour and bitter flavour and because of its beneficial effects on digestion. Perfect for cutting through some of the super-rich foods you’ll be eating during the festive season.

A superfood with a past
This nutrient dense, antioxidant rich fruit has been revered throughout history in many cultures as a symbol of health, fertility and eternal life. Pomegranate seeds are bursting with flavor and are a veritable powerhouse of important nutrients.

And useful for the present
Pomegranates have been generating excitement in the scientific community lately because of a compound called punicalagin – the antioxidant that is responsible for most of pomegranate’s health benefits. It helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure and helps dissolve the atherosclerosis that can lead to heart disease. In other studies, the antioxidants found in pomegranates have been shown to inhibit some cancers by preventing vascular changes that promote tumour growth.

How to use
Adding the seeds to smoothies and salads is a healthy and delicious way to increase the nutritional value of your meals – especially when you’ve been overdoing it a bit. Make sure you’re not wearing your best clothes when prying those juicy seeds from the peel!