Pomegranate Tree - Nutritional Value, Influence on Health, Application and Contraindications

The pomegranate tree is one of two known species of plants from the pomegranate family (Latin: Punicaceae) and the order Myrtales. These small trees or shrubs reach a height of 3 to 7 meters and have opposite, single leaves and prickly branches. Their flowers are hermaphroditic, red, and highly intense [2]. The most recognizable species is the pomegranate tree (lat. Punica granatum), also known as the pomegranate tree or shrub. It probably originates from Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia [4]. Today, it is grown in many parts of the world, including the Mediterranean region, India, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Russia, and the United States, especially in California and Arizona [4]. Depending on the location of cultivation, it can vary in terms of size, ripening time, juice volume, and content of other components. It grows without problems on poor soil, but the best soils are fertile, clayey, and rich in humus [4]. It tolerates a wide temperature range and is not sensitive to frost, even to frost up to minus 15 degrees Celsius. Pomegranate trees begin to bear fruit only after four years. The fruits reach full maturity in late autumn and can weigh up to about one kilogram. From such an amount, about 500 to 750 grams of juice can be obtained [4]. One tree or shrub can produce up to 50 kilograms of pomegranate. It is a product that is easily recognizable by its purple skin with irregular cracks. Inside it, in its chambers, there are up to 1300 cubic seeds [2]. The second insignificant species from an economic point of view and little known is Punica protopunica, which occurs only on the island of Socotra [2].