Benefits of pomegranate peel and its nutritional value

While pomegranate seeds are known for their great taste and amazing health benefits, pomegranate peel also has many properties that can treat many diseases. It is believed that pomegranate peel has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, and can treat many skin and hair problems.

In this article, we discuss the most important benefits of boiled and ground pomegranate peel, including the benefits of pomegranate peel for the stomach and for weight loss, the benefits of pomegranate peel for the skin and hair, in addition to how to use pomegranate peel by knowing how to dry pomegranate peel and extract its nutrients, and finally some of the potential harms of pomegranate peel.

Benefits of pomegranate peel and its nutritional value

Pomegranate peel has many medicinal properties, and therefore it is used to treat many diseases. The benefits of pomegranate peel are due to its content in particular of the following: 

Antioxidants: Pomegranate peel contains a large number of polyphenol antioxidants such as tannins, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, which help protect the body from inflammation and free radical damage, and also work to remove toxins from the body. Pomegranate powders and extracts are usually made from the peel, due to its higher content of antioxidants compared to other parts of the pomegranate.

 Dietary fiber: Pomegranate peels contain a high percentage of dietary fiber, which ranges from 33-62 grams per 100 grams of pomegranate peel.

 Vitamin C: Vitamin C is found in abundance in pomegranate peel, and is an important vitamin for the body, as it helps heal wounds, and forms important proteins for building body mass, and plays a fundamental role in the health of cartilage, bones, and teeth.

The following are the most important benefits of ground and boiled pomegranate peel:

Benefits of pomegranate peel for the stomach and colon

Pomegranate peel in particular contains punicalagins, which are very powerful natural antioxidants, and are responsible for most of the health benefits of pomegranate peel.

One of the benefits of pomegranate peel for the stomach, due to its content of these antioxidants, is that it enhances the secretion of mucin protein, and other glycoproteins that make up the gastric mucosa, and hence the benefit of using pomegranate peel for stomach bacteria, as it helps in treating and preventing stomach ulcers.

You can also benefit from the benefits of pomegranate peel with honey on an empty stomach in treating stomach ulcers as well, as honey supports the anti-ulcer effect of pomegranate peel.

As for the benefits of pomegranate peel for the colon, it also reduces intestinal inflammation, and helps treat hemorrhoids; due to its anti-inflammatory properties, and improves the health of the digestive system and regulates bowel movements; due to its content of dietary fiber.

Benefits of pomegranate peel for weight loss

Pomegranate peel can also be used for weight loss and treating obesity, as it has been proven to reduce blood fats and cholesterol, which helps in losing weight, due to its antioxidant content. Another benefit of pomegranate peel for weight loss is that it contains a low percentage of calories, and it improves blood glucose levels.

Benefits of pomegranate peel for the skin

Pomegranate peel offers many beneficial properties for the skin. The benefits of pomegranate peel for the skin include the following:

•  Skin scrub: Ground pomegranate peel can also be used to remove dead skin cells from the face, as this is one of the most important benefits of ground pomegranate peel; as it helps cleanse the skin and regenerate skin cells, and also works to increase blood circulation; to get a radiant face.
•  Treatment of acne and rashes: Pomegranate peel contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can effectively help fight skin and skin problems such as acne, pimples, and rashes.
•  Prevent wrinkles and signs of aging: It has been found that using pomegranate seed oil topically, with pomegranate peel extracts, can enhance collagen formation, fight enzymes that break it down, and effectively promote skin cell growth; which naturally delays skin aging and wrinkles, as one of the amazing benefits of pomegranate peel for the skin.

Benefits of pomegranate peel for hair

One of the benefits of boiled pomegranate peel is using pomegranate peel extracts to combat hair loss and prevent dandruff. The benefits of pomegranate peel for hair are due to its antifungal properties, which reduce hair loss resulting from fungal activity, and also prevent the formation of dandruff. However, more research is needed on the benefits of pomegranate peel for hair loss and other hair problems.

Other benefits of pomegranate peel

The benefits of boiled or ground pomegranate peel also include the following:

•  Benefits of pomegranate peel for the heart: Pomegranate peel reduces the harmful effect of cholesterol on blood vessels, and protects against atherosclerosis; due to its content of dietary fiber and antioxidants, it may also reduce the risk of hypercholesterolemia, thus protecting against cardiovascular diseases.
•  Benefits of pomegranate peel for sore throat and cough: Pomegranate peel helps relieve cough, and relieves sore throat, through its antibacterial properties. It is used in the form of an aqueous solution for gargling, as one of the benefits of boiled pomegranate peel.
•  Benefits of pomegranate peel for teeth: Pomegranate peels are often used in toothpaste and powders, due to their antibacterial effects, which help treat a number of dental problems such as gingivitis, cavities, and mouth ulcers. However, more studies are needed. 
•  Benefits of pomegranate peel for bones: Pomegranate peel can also reduce bone density loss;

How to use pomegranate peel

It may be difficult to use pomegranate peel in its natural form without treating it in any way, so it is recommended to know how to use pomegranate peel and to benefit from the previous benefits of pomegranate peel, by doing the following:

Drying pomegranate peel

The many benefits of the previous can be taken advantage of by drying and grinding the pomegranate peel, and using the powder in many recipes, and it can also be added to baked goods. The method of drying pomegranate peel includes the following steps:

•  4-5 pomegranates are taken, and each fruit is cut into four sections, lengthwise.
•  All seeds are removed, and the peels are separated.
•  It is preferable to peel the yellow part located directly under the red peel in the event of using the pomegranate peel orally, because the yellow part can give a bitter taste to the powder when dried and ground.
•  However, if the peel is used for external application, the yellow part can be kept.
•  The peels are placed on a plate or dry cloth, to be placed in direct sunlight until they dry and become hard, and lose all their moisture.
•  The peels can also be cooked slowly in the oven, at a low temperature until completely dry.
•  The dry peels are then added to a clean, dry food processor, and grinded for two minutes until a fine powder is obtained.

pomegranate peel extract

The nutrients contained in pomegranate peel can also be easily extracted by boiling it and turning it into tea to obtain the previous benefits of boiled pomegranate peel, or by soaking it in water, as follows:

•  Pomegranate peel decoction: To prepare a cup of pomegranate peel tea, add a full teaspoon of homemade pomegranate peel powder to a cup of hot water. Leave it for several minutes before use. You can add a little fresh lemon juice, or honey to benefit from the benefits of pomegranate peel with honey on an empty stomach, and pomegranate powder can be used in almost any herbal recipe.
•  Pomegranate peel infusion: Soak 20 grams of pomegranate peel powder in 100 ml of water at room temperature for 24 hours, stirring from time to time, and filter before use.
•  Pomegranate peel supplements: There are many nutritional supplements available in the market that contain pomegranate peel extracts. Please consult your doctor before use.

Pomegranate peel harms

Pomegranate peel is generally safe, but its use may involve some risks, including the following:

•  Oral pomegranate peel damage: Pomegranate peel extract is safe when taken orally, as most people do not experience side effects. However, some individuals may experience intestinal sensitivity that may lead to diarrhea. It is also unsafe when taken orally in large quantities.
•  Topical pomegranate peel damage to the skin or hair: Pomegranate peel extract and powder are considered safe when applied to the skin or hair, but some people may experience allergic reactions to it, and allergy symptoms include: itching, swelling, runny nose, and difficulty breathing.
•  Pomegranate peel damage to the vagina: The damage of pomegranate peel when applied to the vagina is no different from the damage that occurs when applied to the skin, but since it is a sensitive area, allergy symptoms may appear more often than on the skin.
•  Pomegranate peel harms during pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is little evidence on whether taking pomegranate peel extract is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. A doctor should be consulted before using pomegranate peel for pregnant or breastfeeding women.