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How many calories are in a whole pomegranate?

By , About.com Guide

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Pomegranates are a great source of vitamins and antioxidants.

Pomegranates are a great source of vitamins and antioxidants.

Photo © Stefan Nicolae
Question: How many calories are in a whole pomegranate?
How many calories are in a whole pomegranate and I believe there are significant benefits from this fruit but don't remember exactly what they are? Is it the antioxidants in this fruit that make it so beneficial and along with the calories. How much sugar is in one piece of this fruit.

Marcie - About.com User

Answer: Pomegranates are ancient fruits native to the Middle East. The pomegranate is a very healthy fruit indeed. One pomegranate that is 3-3/8 inches in diameter has 105 calories and about 25 grams of sugar. Pomegranates are a great source of potassium, and pomegranate juice contains antioxidants that will help to protect your blood lipids from oxidation. Pomegranate juice may also help to prevent prostate cancer and helps to prevent plaque build up in your arteries.

Pomegranate seeds have been studied and appear to enhance immune function as well as help keep blood lipid levels healthy.

More About Pomegranates

Sources:

Yamasaki M, Kitagawa T, Koyanagi N, Chujo H, Maeda H, Kohno-Murase J, Imamura J, Tachibana H, Yamada K. "Dietary effect of pomegranate seed oil on immune function and lipid metabolism in mice." Nutrition. 2005 Oct 10

Aviram M, Dornfeld L, Kaplan M, Coleman R, Gaitini D, Nitecki S, Hofman A, Rosenblat M, Volkova N, Presser D, Attias J, Hayek T, Fuhrman B. "Pomegranate juice flavonoids inhibit low-density lipoprotein oxidation and cardiovascular diseases: studies in atherosclerotic mice and in humans." Drugs Exp Clin Res. 2002;28(2-3):49-62

Malik A, Afaq F, Sarfaraz S, Adhami VM, Syed DN, Mukhtar H. "Pomegranate fruit juice for chemoprevention and chemotherapy of prostate cancer." Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Oct 11;102(41):14813-8. Epub 2005 Sep 28

Rosenblat M, Hayek T, Aviram M. "Anti-oxidative effects of pomegranate juice (PJ) consumption by diabetic patients on serum and on macrophages." Atherosclerosis. 2005 Oct 11

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