Pomegranate Peel and Fruit Extracts

Abstract

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), the fruit and its peel have been shown to hold tremendous potential for the treatment of various ailments. Incorporation of pomegranate, peel and their extracts, as key functional ingredients in various ethnopharmacological formulations are widely accepted in almost all cultures of the World. In addition to their disease ameliorating features, pomegranate and the peel extracts have gained significant popularity in functional food market as ingredient of choice in foods designed to prevent onset of various non-communicable diseases. Health promoting features of the pomegranate peel and fruit extracts define the scope of this natural reserve in global nutraceutical and functional food industry. On account of their unique phytochemicals profile, plentiful pool of antioxidants, dietary fibers, minerals and natural colors, both the valuable reserves have been remained as highly explored plant material in last two decades. Building levels of interest in this fruit has created a deeper insight among researchers to understand actual potential and pathways of pomegranate biomolecules reactivity in human models. The chapter in hand meticulously deals with pomegranate and its extracts as source of innovative healthy components responsible for averting cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory and non-inflammatory disorders, type 2 diabetes, gastric ulcers, various types of cancers and neurodegenerative disorders.