Can children have pomegranate with seeds: at what age and in what form?

The growing body of a child beloved by parents can no longer feed on breast milk alone: ​​after 5–6 months of life, the introduction of various complementary foods is required. Most often they are vegetables, cereals, and various fruits. For example, young parents have many questions: at what age can a child be given pomegranate, whether it is beneficial, and whether it will cause an allergic condition.

For all unclear points, it is recommended to have an additional consultation with a pediatrician, because each baby is unique, and there are no clear answers.

Composition of pomegranate

Under the inconspicuous peel of the pomegranate hides a real treasure with valuable vitamins and microelements. It brings great benefits to the child’s body, so it is definitely recommended for weakened children.

The fruit contains:

• 15 amino acids;
• natural antioxidant - vitamin C;
• pyridoxine and vitamin B12;
• potassium and phosphorus;
• calcium and silicon;
• aluminum and sulfur;
• copper and nickel;
• tannins.

Only a specialist should evaluate the properties of pomegranate and its usefulness, as well as authorize its use, taking into account the characteristics of each child’s body.

How to choose pomegranate for baby food

Particular attention should be paid to what color the peel is. A beautiful pomegranate with a red smooth skin is not the fruit that should be given to a child; it is not ripe. You need to look for a garnet that is hard to the touch with a thin, rough top layer. Its color may be uneven. The lumpy surface of the skin tightly fitting the grain indicates maturity.

You need to carefully examine the upper part of the fruit adjacent to the cutting. In principle, there should be no greenish spots there. You also need to put the soft pomegranate aside. Its benefits are doubtful. The softness of the fruit is not a sign of ripeness, but of damage during transportation.

As a rule, brownish grains are found under the skin in such places, which indicates their unsuitability for consumption. Fermentation occurs inside such grains; such a delicacy can greatly harm a one-year-old child.

There are many varieties of pomegranate, they differ in the size of the grains and their ratio to the total weight of the fruit. The difference can be significant - wild varieties have up to 35% grains, while in pomegranate from a selection tree the edible part reaches 65%.

What are the benefits of fruit?

The multicomponent composition: organic acids and amino acids, polyphenols and vitamins, allows the fruit to have the following beneficial effects on the human body, namely:

• increasing immune barriers, especially resistance to colds;
• mild diuretic and choleretic effects;
• increase in hemoglobin parameters;
• improvement of rheological properties of blood;
• antiseptic effect;
• strengthening gum tissue;
• improved appetite;

• toning of nervous structures;
• astringent properties.

Children are given both freshly squeezed juice and the pulp of the fruit itself.

Benefit

Pomegranate cannot boast of an attractive appearance, but it contains much more useful substances than many other fruits.

Due to its composition, pomegranate is an excellent therapeutic or prophylactic agent:

1. Israeli scientists have found that natural pomegranate juice contains higher levels of antioxidants than other fruits. Therefore, children from environmentally unfavorable areas need pomegranates. Antioxidants help cleanse the body of harmful substances and neutralize radionuclides. Pomegranate juice contains 3 times more antioxidants than orange or apple juice.
2. The high potassium content (about 180 mg/100 g) ensures the rhythmic normal functioning of the heart muscle. When consuming pomegranate, blood pressure decreases (important for adolescents with vegetative-vascular dystonia), and blood viscosity decreases.
3. The biologically active substances of pomegranate are useful in the treatment of anemia, which is often found in children. There is less iron in pomegranates than in apples. But folic and citric acids from pomegranate significantly increase the absorption of iron even from liver and meat, which improves hematopoiesis and increases hemoglobin. After just a couple of weeks of drinking fresh juice, your blood composition will improve.
4. Pomegranate is indicated for children with poor appetite: the sourish taste of the fruit due to organic acids and vitamins helps to increase appetite. A high concentration of carbohydrates will provide an influx of strength.
5. Of considerable importance are the 15 amino acids in the fruit, which ensure the synthesis of enzymes and help improve brain function.
6. Phosphorus is not only an important component of bone tissue, but also affects brain development.
7. Tannins in the pulp, pectin and plant fiber help improve the digestion process and help with a tendency to diarrhea.

Significantly more tannins are found in the peel of the fruit. It also contains substances that have a detrimental effect on pathogenic (disease-causing) microflora, including dysentery bacillus and the causative agent of tuberculosis (Koch bacillus). Effective healing decoctions are prepared from pomegranate peel. But children should not eat them - it can cause poisoning!

1. Fractional consumption of freshly squeezed pomegranate juice throughout the day will have a healing effect for stomatitis, sore throat, and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums). In this case, the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect of pomegranate will appear.

1. Under the influence of the vitamin and mineral composition of pomegranate, the body's immune defense against viral and bacterial infections improves. Regular consumption of the “paradise apple” is especially indicated during the seasonal rise in the incidence of ARVI.

1. Strengthening the vascular wall and improving blood supply to tissues occurs under the influence of ascorbic acid and vitamin PP. As a result, tissue nutrition and oxygen supply improves.

1. One cannot fail to mention the influence of B vitamins found in pomegranates:

• thiamine (B1), which is involved in ensuring the functions of the nervous system, is very important for children, since their central nervous system continues to develop dynamically;
• riboflavin (B2) is necessary for the proper development of the child’s body, ensuring healthy skin, hair and nails;
• pyridoxine (B6) controls protein metabolism and synthesis of red blood cells.

1. Pomegranates are approved for consumption by children with diabetes; they help normalize blood sugar levels.

1. They have mild choleretic and diuretic properties. They will help get rid of edema and improve the flow of bile from the gallbladder when it is atony.

Precautionary measures

However, in addition to many of the beneficial properties described above, pomegranate also has some side effects. Therefore, it is recommended to ask your pediatrician in advance at what age you can start including this fruit in your diet.

It is necessary to refrain from taking it in the following cases:

• with individual intolerance;
• with hyperacid gastritis;
• with a tendency to constipation;

• with weak tooth enamel.

The peel of the fruit contains dangerous alkaloids; they are toxic to the child's body, so only an adult family member should peel the fruit.

Precautions when introducing pomegranate into baby food

The peel contains alkaloids.
These substances are toxic to children's bodies. To avoid poisoning, carefully remove the dangerous part yourself. 3 days before the first introduction of juice into the diet, do not give the baby new foods, otherwise if an allergic reaction develops, it will be difficult to determine which product caused the deterioration in health.

Buy fruits from trusted suppliers. Before offering grains to your child, try them yourself. If the taste seems unusual or too sour, do not use the fruit for baby food.

Be sure to brush your child's teeth after eating to prevent enamel damage.

Side properties

If used incorrectly, for example, in excess at one time, pomegranate complementary foods can cause harm to the child’s body. Most often observed:

• allergic condition: various skin rashes, redness, itching;
• stomach pathologies: organic acids provoke exacerbation of gastritis;
• stool disorders: since the astringent effect of the fruit alleviates diarrhea, it is sometimes recommended for frequent diarrhea in children, but if there is a tendency to constipation, the fruit can cause intestinal problems.

Such nuances must be taken into account by the pediatrician and parents when deciding whether pomegranates and its components can be taken by children.

Can there be any harm from using it?

Pomegranate not only has positive properties, but can also harm the child’s body:

• Allergy . The fruit may cause an allergic reaction. If a child has a red rash on the body, itching, it must be excluded from the diet for a while.
• Stomach diseases . Due to the presence of a large amount of acid in the fruit, it is contraindicated for children with digestive problems. Otherwise, it will only make you feel worse.
• Oxaluria . Pomegranate is completely prohibited for children with urolithiasis.
• Enamel destruction . The juice can harm your teeth as it contains many different acids. Therefore, it should be drunk diluted and preferably through a straw.

How to properly include it in your diet

If a fruit approved by a specialist for consumption has not yet been purchased, then when choosing it in a store you need to pay attention to the following characteristics of the fruit:

• the peel has a uniform pinkish color;
• the presence of several brown spots is quite acceptable;
• no green spots or signs of rot.

It is necessary to purchase fruits from trusted suppliers. Before feeding the baby, you should try the pulp: if it is sour, it is better not to give this fruit to the baby.

The optimal age for introducing pomegranate: after 9 months, half a teaspoon, and even then with water. The best option is freshly squeezed juice. Oversaturation of a child's body with vitamins can lead to rashes: hives or intense itching. A high concentration of ascorbic acid contributes to tooth decay, since the enamel tissue has not yet had time to fully form and is characterized by increased fragility and susceptibility to fruit acids.

It is recommended to introduce pomegranate juice into children's diet gradually, diluting the drink with less and less water each time. So, the permissible volume of red juice per week should not exceed 80–100 ml, it is divided into 2–3 doses.

When can children eat pomegranate with seeds?

It is difficult for children under two years old to explain why the seeds from the “berries” need to be spat out. At this time, the baby actively tastes everything, turning every meal into a game. However, the presence of bones in the intestinal loops provokes disorders of its activity.

Regular consumption of the fruit after the child reaches the age of two will strengthen his immune barriers and improve the rheological parameters of the blood. Therefore, it should be present on the table 1–2 times a week, but no more than ? large fruit.

Experts do not advise young parents to be scared if their child swallows even a few pomegranate seeds. In most cases, they leave the intestines unchanged. Only a large number of fruit grains consumed at one time can pose a health hazard.

Standards of use

A burning question for all parents: how much tasty and healthy fruit and at what age is it permissible to give to a child?

Most pediatricians are of the opinion that it is quite acceptable for children from one to three years old to be given juice diluted in equal proportions twice a week, but not more than 100 ml at a time.

After three years, the volume of the vitamin drink is increased to 180–200 ml, and at 4–7 years old it is allowed to drink 250–300 ml of diluted juice. Younger schoolchildren are also given 350–400 ml of pomegranate drink.

If parents prefer that vitamins enter the child’s body directly with the pulp of the fruit, then twice a week they are allowed to eat no more than ? large fruit for children under three years of age, and ? fruit up to 7 years, and then it is permissible to include one small fruit per meal in the diet. However, each child has a different structure of the digestive organs, so the pediatrician gives only general recommendations. Parents evaluate their baby’s reaction to the fruit individually.

For the full growth and development of a child, his body requires a constant supply of vitamins and minerals. The main source of nutrients is food, in particular fruits. Pomegranate brings undeniable benefits to children, which has a rich chemical composition, allows you to increase hemoglobin, improve blood composition, and enhance immune defense. Pomegranate is extremely beneficial for a growing organism, but it must be introduced into a child’s diet with caution, as it can cause allergies and disrupt the functioning of the digestive system.

1. How to give pomegranate to children
2. At what age can children eat pomegranate with seeds?
3. Are bones dangerous?
4. At what age can you give complementary foods?
5. In what form is it best to give to a one-year-old child?
6. What are the benefits of pomegranate for a child?
7. With grains
8. Seedless
9. How to make pomegranate juice

In what form is it best to give to a one-year-old child?

Pediatricians are often faced with the question of whether it is possible to give a child pomegranate at 1 year of age, and how the sour fruit will affect the baby’s health. Fortunately, doctors always have answers for caring parents. In the first few years of life, the entire digestive system of a child is formed, so you should not give your baby solid food, including sour fruits and vegetables, until one year of age. You can start feeding pomegranates with diluted pomegranate juice. It is best to try the first drink no earlier than 10 months after birth.

Doctors recommend giving children only freshly squeezed pomegranate juice. Doctors insist that young parents avoid buying drinks in stores or fruit markets precisely because today it is difficult to control the quality of all products sold. If you do not want to risk the health of your baby, do not trust the marketing advertising of manufacturers and the reassuring words of eloquent sellers. By squeezing the juice from a ripe fruit yourself, you will always know that you are giving your child only the healthiest and most delicious.

How to give pomegranate to children

Pediatricians recommend giving pomegranate fruits from the age of one year, in the form of juice, which must be diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio. Drinking undiluted juice can damage the gastric mucosa and tooth enamel. You need to prepare the drink yourself using ripe pomegranate fruits. It is prohibited to give store-bought products, since such juice contains various dyes, carcinogens and other substances that are harmful to the child’s health.

When giving a pomegranate to a child, make sure that he does not accidentally eat a piece of the peel, since it contains alkaloids that are hazardous to health, which can lead to poisoning.

The fruit seeds themselves, as well as the juice itself, with the exception of an allergic reaction, are completely safe for children over 1 year old.

At first, you need to introduce the juice of this fruit in a minimal amount, starting with 3 drops. If tolerance is good, its diluted amount can be increased to 1 teaspoon.

Pomegranate with seeds is allowed to be given to children over 3 years old, starting with 5 seeds every 2 to 3 days. As the child grows and is well tolerated, their amount can be increased to ¼ fetus per day.

Harm of pomegranate

All red vegetables and fruits can cause allergic reactions, and this fruit is no exception. Allergies may cause various skin rashes, irritation and itching. Therefore, despite the fact that this product is very healthy, it must be added to the diet with extreme caution.

The peel of the fruit contains alkaloids, which, due to their toxicity, pose a danger to the baby’s body. Therefore, the child should not be allowed to put it in his mouth and chew it.

Another unpleasant point is that the fruit has a destructive effect on tooth enamel. Therefore, after a child eats pomegranate seeds or drinks juice, it is recommended to brush his teeth or, in extreme cases, rinse his mouth.

In addition, the organic acids contained can provoke an exacerbation of gastric diseases. Therefore, before adding this product to the children's menu, you should consult with your pediatrician.

At what age can children eat pomegranate with seeds?

Children prefer to eat pomegranates with seeds, due to their inability to spit them out. There is a theory that eating grains increases the risk of developing appendicitis. This has not been scientifically confirmed, but there are still risks. That is why pomegranate fruits should be consumed in the form of juice up to 3 years of age. Starting from the age of three, a child is taught to spit out the bones.

Are bones dangerous?

Pediatricians believe that if a child swallows 5 to 7 grains of fruit, there is no danger, but if they eat more, intestinal obstruction may develop. Pomegranate seeds are difficult to digest in the intestines. They contain coarse fiber, which can injure the gastric mucosa. The composition contains punicalagin (a powerful antioxidant), tannin and other substances that can harm the health of a child whose intestines are not yet fully formed.

For children over 3 years old, it is better to choose fruits with soft seeds that can be chewed. In small quantities, pomegranate seeds are completely harmless and are excreted unchanged in the feces.

Pomegranate juice is a strong irritant to the intestines, so whether children can eat pomegranate fruits with seeds depends on the state of the digestive system. You can get an answer to this question from your pediatrician on an individual basis.

At what age can you give complementary foods?

Starting from 5 to 6 months, breast milk or formula is not enough for an infant, therefore, for full growth and development, it is recommended to introduce complementary foods. Pomegranate juice is not included in the first complementary foods, as it is a “heavy” product that takes a long time to digest. You can start giving your baby the juice of this exotic fruit no earlier than 12 months. Some pediatricians even recommend pomegranate juice only from 2 years of age.

The doctor will tell you at what age a child should be given pomegranate, but this should not be done earlier than 3 years. As for juice, it can be introduced into complementary foods in the amount of a few drops to 1 teaspoon from the age of 1, but only if there is no allergy.

In what form is it best to give to a one-year-old child?

Children are allowed to give pomegranate juice only in the form of freshly squeezed juice. Before use, it must be diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio. The frequency of use should not exceed 1 – 2 times a week. Considering the rich composition of the product, great benefits for the body, even 30 - 50 ml of this product will be beneficial.

The benefits and harms of fruit

Pomegranate contains a large amount of organic acids, polyphenols, pectin, vitamins and mineral salts. Regular consumption of fruit helps:

• increase the body's defenses;
• prevent the activation of viral infections;
• get rid of swelling and stagnation of bile;
• eliminate iron deficiency conditions;
• normalize blood composition;
• strengthen gum tissue;
• get rid of the manifestations of stomatitis;
• increase appetite;
• improve the functioning of the nervous system;
• get rid of pathogenic microorganisms.

Unfortunately, pomegranate can negatively affect the condition of the mucous membranes of the digestive system. People who often drink the juice from this fruit undiluted notice the appearance of darkening of the enamel and tooth sensitivity.

The seeds contain a large amount of alkaloids, which can harm the baby’s growing body. That is why it is so important to ensure that the child does not use them.

Pomegranate is contraindicated in the presence of diseases such as:

• pancreatitis;
• constipation;
• stomach ulcer;
• gastritis;
• oxaluria.

What are the benefits of pomegranate for a child?

It is quite difficult to overestimate the benefits of the fruit, since it contains many vitamins, minerals, and organic amino acids that take an active part in the growth and development of the child. Both pomegranate juice and fruit grains have positive qualities, the main thing is not to overdo it!

With grains

Pomegranate seeds are rich in vitamins A, B, E, as well as microelements, phosphorus compounds, tannins, which help eliminate inflammatory processes in the body, increase immune defense, hemoglobin, and take part in the formation of bone tissue.

In small quantities, grains are completely safe for health, but if consumed in excess, intestinal problems may appear: obstruction, constipation. When giving a baby pomegranate, parents must take into account age and intestinal immaturity.

Seedless

Pomegranate fruits are able to provide the daily needs of a child’s body for vitamins and minerals. For children from 1 to 3 years old, it is enough to drink 30–50 ml of pomegranate juice 2 times a week to provide the body with the necessary nutrients. The freshly squeezed drink has the properties of stimulating tooth growth, strengthening bone tissue, improving the functioning of the heart and blood vessels, and increasing the body's resistance to viral infections. The seedless fruit is especially valuable in cases of low hemoglobin; it also tones the nervous system and improves memory. For sore throat, stomatitis, fruit juice is recommended to be used as an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic.

Pomegranate: beneficial properties and contraindications

Scientists have determined that children who were regularly given pomegranate seeds to eat showed more intelligence, performed better in school, were also more active and less tired. In addition, pomegranate fruits are good for strengthening the immune system and nervous system, normalizing hematopoiesis and helping to strengthen the walls of blood vessels.

Substance	Benefit
Starch	Delivers carbohydrates to the body and adds energy.
Cellulose	Promotes digestion.
Ascorbic acid	Antioxidant. Necessary for the normal functioning of connective and bone tissues.
Amino acids	6 out of 15 amino acids in pomegranate are absolutely essential for humans.
Potassium	Helps the normal functioning of the excretory system.
Calcium	Strengthens bone tissue, blood vessels, cardiac and nervous systems.
Phosphorus, magnesium	Stimulates tooth growth and brain function. Cleanses from toxins and heavy metals.
Zinc, iron	Improves immunity, increases hemoglobin levels.
Catechins	Strong antioxidants. Prevents the occurrence of cancerous tumors.
Vitamin A	Helps in the normal development of vision organs.
Vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12	Promote the proper functioning of the nervous system.
Vitamin P, E, C	Promotes immunoprotection, tissue growth, and the formation of the joy hormone.
Polyphenols	Strong antioxidants, responsible for the normal development of muscle tissue.

Pomegranates are an excellent natural remedy, stimulate the appetite, and pomegranate juice helps quench thirst and promotes the production of hemoglobin. But this fruit also has contraindications that should be remembered:

• individual intolerance, allergies;
• gastrointestinal diseases, increased acidity;
• hemorrhoids, anal fissures;
• constipation;
• oxaluria.

How to make pomegranate juice

Freshly squeezed pomegranate juice is beneficial for children's bodies. At the same time, it should be consumed immediately after preparation, since this product contains the maximum beneficial properties in the first 20 minutes after preparation.

Preparing juice from pomegranate fruits is not difficult. The procedure can be carried out in several ways:

1. Through a juicer, but in this case you will get a lot of pulp and not enough of the drink itself.
2. Using a citrus press. It is enough to cut the fruit in half and squeeze out the juice like an orange.
3. You can prepare the drink by squeezing the juice by hand. The whole fruit needs to be gently kneaded with your hands, then a small hole is made in it and the drink is squeezed into a glass.
4. The grains are placed in a sieve and crushed using a masher to obtain juice.

To prepare the drink, buy ripe fruits that will not have stains or other damage.

Pomegranate is one of the healthiest fruits, the consumption of which will help the growing body grow and develop properly. However, children should consume it in limited quantities and only if well tolerated.

At what age can you give pomegranate to a child - juice diluted with water from one year, and seeds - no earlier than three. Despite all the undoubted benefits, this southern guest is also capable of causing harm.

Benefits of pomegranate for children

Bright ruby ​​fruits contain potassium, calcium, manganese, zinc, iron, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, proteins, vitamins B, C, E, K, and organic acids.

Hence the enormous benefits of pomegranates:

• strengthen the immune system;
• improve the composition and properties of blood (increase hemoglobin, affect coagulation, etc.);
• have antiviral and antimicrobial effects;
• stimulate appetite;
• have a beneficial effect on the nervous system.

Possible harm

With such obvious benefits, pomegranate (no matter what age you start giving it to your child) is a complex food, even in juice form.

A large amount of acid makes it very aggressive for the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, the pancreas and for tooth enamel, especially children’s “milk” enamel.

• gastrointestinal pathologies - gastritis, pancreatitis, ulcers;
• oxaluria is a disease associated with a violation of mineral metabolism, which leads to the formation of sand and kidney stones;
• tendency to constipation;
• Allergic reactions are common and manifest in the form of itching, rash, stuffy nose and watery eyes.

At what age should you give pomegranate to your baby?

The general recommendation for the age at which a child can drink pomegranate juice is no earlier than one year. Only you and the pediatrician observing the baby can say more specifically. If your baby is personally familiar with allergies, or there are problems with the digestive system, or you are forced to take medications that cause sediment to appear in the urine, do not take unnecessary risks. Postpone introduction to all kinds of exotic things until at least 2.5–3 years of age.

But even if everything is in order, give the juice a little, carefully and only half and half with cool boiled water. Undiluted is such a shock dose of acid that in large quantities is dangerous even for an adult.

Try whole grains from the age of three. Previously, there is a risk of choking, and the baby will not be able to chew them properly without swallowing the kernels.

IMPORTANT! If you give pomegranate seeds to your child, do not leave him unattended.

In what form to give - grains or juice?

Let's assume that your child is over three years old, and the question of at what age can a pomegranate be given is no longer relevant - they have grown up. But the next question arises: which is healthier - juice or whole grains?

On the one hand, grains have more advantages:

• there is less danger of “overdose” - the baby will not eat as much as he drinks juice;
• some of the nutrients are contained in the nucleoli;
• The baby learns to handle complex food: swallowing some and spitting out others is a useful skill.

But there is also a significant drawback - the danger of swallowing the seeds. Nothing will happen from one, two or three, but if there are too many of them, the stomach and intestines become clogged. Whether pomegranate kernels can provoke appendicitis - doctors do not give a definite answer. This consequence has not been directly proven, but no one can claim that there is no risk.

IMPORTANT! Don't go to extremes. Drink juice, eat grains, but be careful.

In what quantity and how often is it allowed to give

Pomegranates taste very different - from sickly sweet to very sour. For kids, choose sweet ones.

Start with one teaspoon of juice, diluted 1:2 with warm boiled water.

If everything is ok, increase the quantity. Children are given no more than 100 g of drink per day, no more than twice a week.

Whole grains are also allowed with the same frequency. The maximum amount for a preschooler is a quarter of a fruit per day.

Garnets have been known since ancient times. They are the ones called “apples of paradise” in the Bible and grew in the Garden of Eden. You can read about their healing properties in ancient Indian manuscripts and Greek scriptures. This fruit has not lost its popularity even today. Why? Below you will learn more about its amazing properties, how to eat it correctly, when children can eat pomegranate, and in what form.

How to select and store fruits

You can introduce your child to pomegranate for the first time at 10 months.
Freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, diluted with water in a ratio of 1:2, is ideal for this. The best fruits can be purchased during the seasonal ripening period (autumn-winter months). Pomegranates taken from the tree do not ripen.

Before purchasing, you need to inspect the fruits:

• They should not have stains, dents, or damage through which pathogenic microbes can penetrate. You need to choose large fruits: the larger their diameter, the better the quality.
• The color of the peel should be uniformly dark red or brownish, without greenish areas. The surface of the ripe fruit is dry, with a peculiar bumpiness due to the contours of the adjacent grains.

The degree of ripeness of a fruit affects the amount of acids in its pulp. A ripe fruit, heavy and dense to the touch, has a dry stalk. By clicking on a ripe fruit, you can get a sound with a metallic tint.

A dull sound, a greenish stalk, a smooth, even surface of the fruit, and a light color of the peel indicate the unripeness of the fruit.

If the pomegranate is overripe, then some of the grains inside begin to burst, which leads to the onset of rotting. Cracks appear on the surface of an overripe fruit, and the fruit is soft to the touch. It is not advisable to buy both unripe and overripe fruits for children.

When dried out and exposed to light, fruits spoil, but they can be stored in the refrigerator for a long time.

• The fruits must first be washed, dried and wrapped in parchment paper, and placed in the refrigerator in the fruit compartment. This way you can preserve pomegranates for 2 to 3 months.
• It is not recommended to store pomegranates in plastic bags: excess moisture created inside will lead to rotting.
• Pomegranates can be frozen, after which they will become even tastier. This way you can preserve both whole fruits and husked grains. The ripest fruits are placed whole in the freezer. They are placed in airtight containers (preferably with a valve to remove air).
• Pomegranates that are overripe or with defects that do not allow keeping the fruit intact (with scratches, dents, cracks) are frozen in grains. The grains need to be separated from the partitions, washed and dried. Then they are placed in special portioned bags.

Frozen whole pomegranates or seeds can be stored for up to a year without being re-frozen.

Freshly squeezed juice is best consumed immediately. In extreme cases, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a day.

If a large amount of juice has been prepared, then it must be brought to a boil, poured into sterilized jars, covered with lids, heated for 10 minutes in a water bath and sealed tightly.

You can make compotes and jam from pomegranates. But some of the beneficial properties of the fruit will be lost.

Why is pomegranate so useful?

Pomegranate is one of the champions in terms of the content of essential substances and microelements. This small fruit contains ascorbic acid, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. Pomegranate contains polyphenols - powerful antioxidants that promote the normal functioning of muscle tissue.

Pomegranate is also known as an excellent remedy for fighting anemia. This is one of the few sweets that diabetics can and should not only eat. Unfortunately, the number of children with this disease is increasing, so it is also necessary to know about such properties.

Allergies in a child

Due to the presence of rich pigments in pomegranate, it is considered a potential allergen. Despite the numerous beneficial substances and vitamins that are present in it, children need to eat it with extreme caution. Usually an allergic reaction appears a few hours after consumption. In most cases, the child's body is covered with a small, itchy rash. Sometimes vomiting, runny nose, cough, and conjunctivitis may occur. At the first symptoms of such a reaction, you need to completely stop eating the fruit and consult a pediatrician.

Pomegranate is a fruit rich in nutrients, which must be present in the diet of children. It contains many components, without which normal processes in the body are impossible. But before you feed your child this fruit, you need to remember that it has contraindications for consumption.

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At what age and how to give pomegranate to children

Initially, pomegranate is introduced into the child’s diet in the form of juice. You can try it for the first time closer to a year (from 9-10 months). To do this, squeeze the juice from the sweet fruit and dilute it in a ratio of 1:2 (1 part pomegranate juice to 2 parts water). First try, as with other juices, with one teaspoon. It is believed that the allergenicity of pomegranate is lower than that of citrus fruits, but, in any case, carefully monitor the body’s reaction.

Gradually, if allergic reactions are not observed, you can switch to undiluted juice. But only if it is sweet juice. Sour pomegranate juice must be diluted until the child is 7 years old .

From 2 years old, you can give your child the pomegranate itself to eat . One quarter of the fruit per day is enough, 1-2 times a week. You need to give sweet fruits.

Will it cause harm?

However, despite its undeniable benefits and usefulness, pomegranate still has a number of contraindications .

1. Due to the presence of a large amount of acids in freshly squeezed juice, it has a significant effect on the digestive system. Heartburn and stomach discomfort may occur.

2. 
   Pomegranate is an allergenic product. Its indicators are significantly lower than those of citrus fruits, but the body can still react with redness of the skin, rashes, and itching.

3. Taking medications that lower blood pressure should not be combined with consuming pomegranate or pomegranate juice. Since these products can also lower blood pressure.
4. Eating pomegranate or concentrated pomegranate juice leads to the destruction of tooth enamel in children. It is preferable to drink it through a straw and then brush your teeth.
5. When a child eats a pomegranate, you must be careful to ensure that he does not eat the pericarp or the skin of the fruit. They contain an alkaloid, which is poisonous for a small person. But if this happens, you need to immediately induce vomiting and call a doctor.

Contraindications

Therefore, pomegranate is not recommended :

• for gastrointestinal diseases;
• increased acidity;
• peptic ulcers;
• allergic reactions;
• individual intolerance to the product or components;
• chronic constipation;
• oxaluria.