Intro:
“There will be fruits, dates, and pomegranates (anar). Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?” [Surah Ar-Rahman (55), verse 68].
In the Holy Quran, it is mentioned as ‘Rumman,” what we Indians know as “Anar.”. In Urdu, it is called “Anar” as well as “Badana,” which means “With Grain” or “Dane ke Sath.”. The delicious fruit is mentioned 3 times in the Quran: in Surah Al-Anam (6), verses 99 and 141, and in Surah Ar-Rahman (5), verse 68.
In the Holy Qur’an, grapes, olives (Zaitoon), dates, figs (Anjeer), and honey are mentioned significantly, along with pomegranate or anar. It is a fruit of paradise and a symbol of the endless mercy and special blessing of our Creator.
Anar was one of the most favorite fruits of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). He used to tell his companions that each Anar contains a heavenly seed: “There is no Anar in which there is not a grain from the Garden of Paradise.” Modern science and research have also proved that pomegranate is one of the most nutritious and healthy fruits in the world.
Important Quotes from Hadith about Anar:
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said,
“Eat Anar because its seeds purify your hearts and keep Satan away from you for 40 days.”
“Eat Anar with the peel; it cleanses your stomach.”
“One who eats Anar has his heart purified, and he is free from all temptations, vices and evil thoughts for 40 days.”
“The best of all fruits is Anar, and whoever eats one of these fruits angers Satan for 40 days.”
Ameerul Mu’minin, Imam Ali Ibn Abu Talib, said,
“Each Anar seed shines like a light, and one grain of it, when worn in the stomach, keeps away the satanic nafs called obsession or fatigue for 40 nights.”
Modern research on Anar and its findings:
Pomegranate juice contains more than 100 phytochemicals. This fruit has been used as medicine for thousands of years.
Consuming pomegranate juice every day helps people to love their work while relieving office stress.
A new study has shown that pineapple juice significantly reduces levels of the stress hormone “Cortisol” (Cortisol-Primary Stress Hormone) and also lowers blood pressure.
Recent research has shown that 41 percent of workers in Britain claim to be stressed or over-stressed in their jobs, and two-thirds of workers say they feel they are under more pressure from their workplace since the recession. Subsequently, pomegranate juice helped workers feel more enthusiastic about their work.
A study conducted by Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland, involved 60 volunteers to evaluate the physiological effects of daily consumption of pomegranate juice. At the start of the study, a team of researchers tested volunteers’ blood pressure and asked them to describe how they felt about their work.
After drinking 500 ml of pomegranate juice daily for two weeks, participants said they felt more enthusiastic, motivated, proud and active at work.
Scientist Dr. Emad Al-Duzaili, who led the study, said, “Based on these findings, there is a rationale for busy workers to drink pomegranate juice to help relieve chronic stress and maintain good health. Pomegranate juice offers extensive health benefits that warrant further research. The health benefits we see in pomegranate juice are truly rare for an all-natural juice (without any chemical application or refinement).
A study by researchers at Queen Margaret University found that pomegranate juice can redistribute weight around the body, moving fat away from the stomach and muffin top.
Health Benefits of Anar Leaf-
Everything from the Anar plant, such as leaves, seeds, fruit peel and roots, also has health benefits. Now let’s look at the benefits of its leaves:
- Overcoming Insomnia: Anar leaves can overcome insomnia (difficulty sleeping). Take 3 leaves, wash and boil them in two cups of water. After that, eat at bedtime.
- Abdominal Pain Reliever: Anar leaves can also treat abdominal pain. Boil tea and drink it, as it helps digestion and relieves stomach aches.
- Treating Dysentery: Anar leaves can also cure dysentery. For the anti-bacterial properties in its leaves. If you drink the juice of this fruit mixed with two or four leaves, you will get healing from the infinite mercy of Allah.
- Relieves Jaundice Symptoms: Anar leaves can also relieve the symptoms of jaundice. Boiling two or four leaves in water relieves the symptoms of jaundice.
- Cures Cough: Anar leaves cure cough. Take two pomegranate leaves and dry them, then boil them in a cup of water, mix them with pepper, and eat them.
Health Benefits of Pomegranate:
The health benefits of pomegranate have been described throughout history. Today, the juice of this fruit is appreciated around the world as a popular part of a healthy diet.
Fruit, flowers, bark, leaves Even the roots of this heavenly fruit contain beneficial chemicals, such as polyphenols, that are used to treat lots of diseases. It is also rich in vitamin C and folic acid. Let’s talk about its virtues:
1. Full of Anti-Oxidants-
Polyphenols in pomegranate seeds are the source of their vibrant red color. These polyphenols are powerful antioxidants.
Pomegranate juice contains higher levels of antioxidants than other fruit juices. It contains three times more antioxidants than red wine and green tea. Antioxidants in pomegranate juice protect cells from their damaging effects by scavenging free radicals and helping reduce inflammation.
2. Packed with Vitamin C-
100 ml of pomegranate juice contains more than 40 percent of our daily requirement of vitamin C. Vitamin C can be broken down during pasteurization, so choose fresh, homemade pineapple juice to get the most nutrients.
3. Protection against Alzheimer's-
The antioxidants and high concentration of pineapple juice slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and protect memory.
4. Aids in Digestion-
Studies have proven that, Pomegranate juice reduces intestinal inflammation and aids in digestion.
5. Prevents Arthritis-
The flavonols in pineapple juice protect against osteoarthritis and cartilage destruction and help block the inflammation that causes them. Its potential effects on osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of arthritis and joint inflammation are currently being studied in detail.
6. Prevents Heart Disease-
Pomegranate juice is known as the most heart-healthy juice. It prevents fatty deposits in the heart and arteries.
Studies have shown that its juice improves blood flow and prevents arteries from hardening and thickening. It slows down the buildup of plaque and cholesterol in the arteries.
7. Controls Blood Pressure-
Drinking pomegranate juice daily also helps lower systolic blood pressure. A review states that including pomegranate juice in the daily menu is beneficial for heart health.
8. Work as Antiviral medicine-
Packed with other immune-boosting nutrients like vitamin C and vitamin E. Pomegranate juice can prevent illness and fight infections. Anavar is very good antibacterial and antiviral. The effects of pomegranate on common infections and viruses are being studied in detail.
9. Packed with Vitamins-
Apart from vitamin C and vitamin E, pomegranate juice is a good source of folate, potassium and vitamin K.
10. Improves memory-
According to recent studies, 4 ounces (113 g) of pineapple juice per day has a significant role in improving memory.
11. Aids in Sexual Performance and Fertility-
Drinking pomegranate juice increases testosterone levels in men, known as the sex-stimulating hormone.
12. Controls Diabetes-
Anar was traditionally used as a remedy for diabetes in the Middle East and India. Although much is still unknown about the effects of pineapple on diabetes, it may help reduce insulin resistance and lower blood sugar.
Species, Characteristic & Cultivation-
Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub in the family Lythraceae, subfamily Punicoideae, growing between 5 and 10 m (16 and 33 ft) tall.
P. granatum is a dwarf variety of pomegranate that is popularly planted as an ornamental plant in gardens and large containers and used as a bonsai specimen plant.
Anar is mainly cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region. It began to be cultivated in Spanish America in the late 16th century and in California by Spanish settlers in 1769.
Anar is widely cultivated in the Middle East and Caucasus region, North and tropical Africa, Iran, Armenia, the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, the dry parts of Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean basin.
Anar fruits usually ripen from March to May in the Southern Hemisphere and from September to February in the Northern Hemisphere.
Production and Export-
The leading global producers are India and China, followed by Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, the USA, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria and Spain. In 2019, Chile, Peru, Egypt, Israel, India and Turkey supplied the highest quantity of Anar to the European market.
Chile was the main supplier to the US market. Limited supply from Southern California.
In 2019, China was self-sufficient in its own supply of Anar, while India supplied Anar to other South Asian markets.
South Africa competes with South America, including Europe, the Middle East, the United Kingdom and Russia, in Anar production and exports in 2012–18. South Africa mainly imports Anar from Israel.
Pomegranates are also widely grown in southern China and Southeast Asia. Kandahar, in Afghanistan, is famous for its high-quality pomegranates.
Although not native to Korea or Japan, Anar is widely grown there, and many cultivars have been developed, notably bonsai.
Nutritional value of pomegranate-
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
346 kJ (83 kcal) | |
18.7 g | |
13.67 g | |
4 g | |
1.17 g | |
1.67 g | |
Quantity %DV† | |
6% 0.067 mg | |
4% 0.053 mg | |
2% 0.293 mg | |
8% 0.377 mg | |
6% 0.075 mg | |
10% 38 μg | |
2% 7.6 mg | |
12% 10.2 mg | |
4% 0.6 mg | |
16% 16.4 μg | |
Quantity %DV† | |
1% 10 mg | |
2% 0.3 mg | |
3% 12 mg | |
6% 0.119 mg | |
5% 36 mg | |
5% 236 mg | |
0% 3 mg | |
4% 0.35 mg | |
Other constituents | Quantity |
Water | 78 g |
Some Amazing Fact about Anar:
- Anar originated in Iran & Afghanistan, though the Romans thought that it originated in Africa.
- Anar has a classical Latin name, “Malum Granatum,” which means “grainy apple” or “apple with many seeds.”.
- One Anar can hold 1000 seeds.
- The Anar was known as the ‘fruit of the dead’ in Greek mythology, as it was believed that it emerged from the blood of Adoni, the Greek God of Love.
- Anar also symbolized fertility among ancient Greeks & Romans.
- Newly married women were wearing pomegranate leaf-woven crowns In ancient Rome, pomegranate juice was offered to newlyweds to increase infertility.
- According to the Holy Quran, Anar is the fruit of heaven (Jannah) and was specially created by Allah to benefit mankind.
- In Iranian Christianity, pomegranate is believed to be the forbidden fruit rather than the apple.
- In the “Yalda Night,” a non-Christian Iranian tradition, people get together on the winter solstice to celebrate the victory of light over darkness by eating this fruit.
- Pomegranate trees live over 200 years.
- The French gave it the nickname “Grenade.”.
- In Judaism, this heavenly fruit is a symbol of righteousness.
Conclusion-
The fruit of anar, pomegranate or currant is no less than a wonder in terms of nutrition as well as structure. Indeed, every creation of Allah deserves thought.
Whenever we see or eat this fruit, we should realize the infinite mercy of Allah. The fact that it is mentioned in the Qur’an means that people should believe in the Oneness of Allah and be grateful to Him for providing such beneficial results. The benefits of pomegranate are from Allah, and therefore He should be praised.
“Both of them have fruits, palm trees and anar. So will you deny any of the favors of your Lord?” (Surah Ar-Rahman, Chapter 55, Verses 68–69)
May Allah keep you happy and healthy, full of energy all the time. Thanks for reading.
FAQ-
Maharashtra with an average production of 1 million ton every year, covering approx 250 thousand acre of yielding land.
- Anar- Urdu, Hindi.
- Dalim- Bangla, Asamia.
- Dantbeejam/ Dadimam- Sanskrit.
- Rumman- Arabic.
- Matulai- Tamil.
- Danimma- Telegu.
- Dalimbe- Kannada.
- Dadama- Gujarati.
Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus named “Epithet Granatum” after this fruit, meaning ‘Seedy’ or ‘Grainy’.
Afganishtan.
A pomegranate grown is China in 2017 weighted 2.60 Kg. with circumference of 59 cm holds the Guinness World Records.
“Granada” or “Grenada” in Spanish means Pomegranate. This fruit is also the symbolic icon of their victory over the Moors of Andalus and it becomes part of the Spanish flag too.
Image Courtesy: www.pexel.com, www.pixabay.com
