What Is Pomegranate And Is It A Superfood?

Some say the Bible's forbidden fruit references not an apple, but a pomegranate fruit, which also could be an aphrodisiac and appears as a romantic symbol in centuries-old literature, according to PBS. The pomegranate is a shrub or small tree that usually grows between 16 and 26 feet tall, and its fruit contains hundreds of seeds, as well as arils, the translucent flesh covering each one that adds to your daily fruit intake.

The benefits of pomegranate are extensive, says Livestrong. They include the fact that one pomegranate contains about 40 percent of recommended daily vitamin C intake, and this vitamin aids the immune system and its ability to fight off potential attackers. The fruit also can help improve blood vessel function in the heart, and it's also helpful for skin — when applied topically, it can decrease roughness, reduce skin inflammation, and encourage collagen production. According to the Guardian, pomegranate juice may help prevent heart disease. It also seems to cleanse the circulatory system with benefits like lowering blood pressure and increasing oxygen flow to the heart.

Pomegranate recipes are common, and it's easy to incorporate this fruit into your diet. Although there are no universally-accepted definitions of superfoods, it can easily be considered one due to its low-calorie and high-nutrient nature. Try a quinoa and pomegranate salad or a pomegranate smoothie.