Pomegranates have been part of human diets for thousands of years. With a storied history underscored by symbolic meaning in many cultures as well as in Greek mythology and religious rites, Pomegranates have been associated with abundance, fertility, and good luck¹. The Babylonians regarded pomegranate seeds as an “agent of resurrection,” the Persians believed the seeds would aid with invincibility on the battle fields, and the ancient Chinese viewed the seeds as a symbol of abundance, fertility, longevity, and immortality. In ancient medicine, pomegranates were commonly used to lower fevers and treat diarrhea, hemorrhage, dysentery, and parasitic and microbial infections².

Today, pomegranates are cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas and in a wide variety of warm, dry microclimates³. In the United States, 90% of pomegranates are grown in California⁴. Today, pomegranate fruit, fruit juice, and rind have been extensively studied for their functional properties, which include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities².