Sweet, nutritious pomegranates contain many of the nutrients your body needs to function optimally. A pomegranate has 234 calories, giving you quick energy without an abundance of fat, and it is a rich source of fiber, protein, antioxidants and B-complex vitamins. Its phytonutrients also offer additional benefits for your cardiovascular, nervous, muscular and digestive systems.
Nervous System
The vibrant color of the inside of a pomegranate is due to its abundance of flavanols, plant pigments with powerful antioxidant properties. The flavanols in pomegranate may benefit your nervous system, according to researchers who published a study in "Neurobiology of Disease" in 2006. They found that mice that drank pomegranate juice every day for 6 months displayed superior brain function to a control group. The pomegranate juice-drinking mice were better able to learn maze tricks quickly, suggesting that the juice may improve cognitive function.
Cardiovascular System
People with high cholesterol or risk factors for heart disease may benefit from adding pomegranates to their diet. They contain polyphenols, plant-based compounds that may reduced the buildup of plaque from excessive LDL cholesterol, according to a group of Israeli researchers who published a study in "Clinical Nutrition" in 2003. They noted that people who drank pomegranate juice daily for one year had a 30 percent lower incidence of artery plaque formation than those who did not drink it.
Muscular System
Eating a pomegranate regularly may help your muscles grow and function properly. Each fruit has about 5 grams of protein, which feeds your muscles. It also provides more than one-third of your recommended daily intake for vitamin C and more than 10 percent of the vitamin E you need daily. These antioxidant nutrients benefit your muscular system, according to researchers who published a study in "Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice" in 2010. They found that people who took vitamin C and E supplements gained significantly more muscle mass from resistance training than people who did not take the vitamins.
Digestive System
Pomegranate benefits your digestive system by providing B-complex vitamins that help your body efficiently convert fat, protein and carbohydrates into energy. One fruit provides 25 percent of the folate and about one-sixth of the thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin B-6 you need daily. It also provides 11 grams of fiber, more than twice the amount of fiber in a bowl of bran flakes. Fiber helps food move through your body effectively, assisting with digestion.