Sustainable eating and zero-waste cooking has always been an integral part of gastronomy globally for ages. Yes, in recent times, this concept has grabbed our attention and most people believe in the ideal usage of an ingredient not just to decrease waste production but also to enjoy its benefits to the mellowest. Moreover, even studies have found that fruit and vegetable peels are a storehouse of nutrients that delivers indispensable health incentives. One such fruit blessed with a plethora of nutrients in its peel is pomegranate or anar, which has been used extensively for various health and beauty benefits in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. The peels are dried out and pounded into a fine powder which is steeped in hot water and relished as tea or mixed with water to make a fine paste and topically applied on the skin. Thanks to its abundance of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and anti-inflammatory qualities, pomegranate peels can be added to your regular diet for augmenting overall health. So, the next time when you eat a pomegranate does not throw away the peels, instead store them to prepare powder.

1. JYOTI PACHISIA

2. 2
Fruit and vegetables are a
core component of healthy
diets, but horticultural
production and distribution
activities suffer from a
high incidence of surplus
food and food waste.

3. According to the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MFPI), India calculated the total fruit
and vegetable losses at approximately 12 and 21 million tons, respectively. This amounts to
approximately USD 4.4 billion in value, with a total value of waste and loss of food reaching
USD 10.6 billion

4. While both fruits and vegetables are a great source of nutrients, essential for overall
health, their skins and peels are equally important. Although the peel may not look
appetising, it can be extremely beneficial in boosting metabolism, controlling blood
pressure and improving eyesight.
4

5. •Pomegranate peels are conferred with a wealth of
nutrients and antioxidants.
•The incredible health benefits of these peels are attributed
to their potent anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and anti-
bacterial traits.
•Using the peels may effectively combat acne, detoxify the
system, fades away wrinkles, remedies sore throat and
cough, and lowers the risk of chronic diseases.
•The peels are dried out and pounded into a fine powder
which is steeped in hot water and relished as tea or mixed
with water to make a fine paste and topically applied on the
skin.
•It is abundance of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and
anti-inflammatory qualities, pomegranate peels can be
added to regular diet for augmenting overall health.

7. Serial no. Compounds Amount per 100 gm
1 Moisture 5.40
2 Total Sugar/Carbohydrate 17.70
3 Reducing Sugar -
4 Protein 4.90
5 Ash 3.40
6 Fiber 16.30
7 Pectin -
8 Fat 1.26
9 Total Solids 94.50
Source: Ko, K., Dadmohammadi, Y., & Abbaspourrad, A. (2021). Nutritional and bioactive components of pomegranate waste
used in food and cosmetic applications: A review. Food, 10(3), 657; doi: 10.3390/foods10030657

8. Serial no. Polyphenolic compounds Amount mg/g
1 Quercetin 40
2 Cinnamic acid 42
3 Ferulic acid 28
4 Kaemopherol 62
5 Ellagic acid 18
6 Coumaric acid 32
7 Cyanidin 26
8 Luteolin 33
9 Punicalin 15
10 Gallic acid 71
Source: Ko, K., Dadmohammadi, Y., & Abbaspourrad, A. (2021). Nutritional and bioactive components of pomegranate waste
used in food and cosmetic applications: A review. Food, 10(3), 657; doi: 10.3390/foods10030657

9. Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when
the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when
the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
Pomegranate peels has anti-diabetic and
cardiovascular protection properties
The active ingredients present shows to cut back
cardiopathy by inhibiting beta-lipoprotein oxidation.
It is used as a nutritionary health product for the
interference and treatment of kind a pair of diabetes and
its connected complications
Source: Grabez M, Petrovic S, Vecic V (2020), Beneficial effects of pomegranate peel
extract on plasma lipid profile, fatty acids levels and blood pressure in patients
with diabetes mellitus type-2: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
study; Volume no 64, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2019.103692

10. Neurodegenerative problems are most deteriorating
characterized by a decrease in memory, conduct, and
mental component capacities inside the matured age
groups.
Pomegranate peels in the form of extract a product is
a source of bioactive compounds that can reduce the
senile plaques, increase the expression of the
neurotrophin BDNF, reduce the activity of the enzyme
acetylcholinesterase, reduce lipid peroxidation and
reduce the expression of the inflammatory cytokine
TNF-α.
It is helpful in creating a functional reserve that protects the
brain from the neurodegenerative process that follows
Alzheimer disease.
Source: Morzelle M, Buck H, Viel T (2016), Neuroprotective Effects of Pomegranate
Peel Extract after Chronic Infusion with Amyloid-β Peptide in Mice; PLoS
One; 11 (11): e0166123; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166123

11. Pomegranate peels contains bioactive compounds like
tannins, triterpenes, essential oils, carotenoids, saponin,
vitamins (C&A), alkaloids, and glycosides, that record worthy
medicinal goods throughout the history of humanity.
It serves to inhibit Candida albicans, antibacterial
Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus mutans, Escherichia
coli and antifungal Aspergillus niger, which is common
microorganisms involved in dental and oral problems like in
chronic gingivitis.
In Ayurveda, Pomegranate peel is a herbal drug which has
Kashaya Rasa, Anushna Virya, and Madhura Vipaka, which are
exactly opposite to Doshic configuration of Gilayu (Tonsillitis)
Sources:
Mohammed Yousry (2022) “The antibacterial effect of Pomegranate Peel and Guava Leaves
extract mouthwash on oral Streptococcus mutans in scholar students: a controlled
clinical study”, 25(3)- 359:363
Gupta ND, Jain SS, Patrikar VG (2020). Development and stabilization of pH of pomegranate
peel mouthwash in oral hygiene: An experimental study. Journal of Indian System of
Medicine; 8(4);277- 280 doi:10.4103/JISM.JISM_74_20

12. Pomegranate peels can directly modulate bone cell
differentiation, leading to an improved
resorption/formation ratio together with anti-
inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects in the bone
microenvironment
They are known to enhance the growth of
Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli in the intestine,
leading to increased production of short chain fatty
acids (SCFAs) contribute directly to the
enhancement of Ca absorption via a cation
exchange mechanism (increased exchange of
cellular H+ for luminal Ca2+).
Source: M´elanie Spilmont, Laurent Leotoing, Marie-Jeanne Davicco,
Patrice Lebecque, Elisabeth MiotNoirault, et al.. Pomegranate Peel
Extract Prevents Bone Loss in a Preclinical Model of Osteoporosis and
Stimulates Osteoblastic Differentiation in Vitro. Nutrients, 2015, 7 (11),
pp.9265-9284. <10.3390/nu7115465>

13. Punicalagin (PCN), a hydrolyzable tannin present in
pomegranate peel, provides numerous beneficial properties
and is associated with anticancer activity because it
intervenes in the cell cycle, proliferation/survival signals,
and catabolic processes such as apoptosis and autophagy
Pomegranate peels exhibits strong antioxidant activity and
is a rich source of anthocyanins, ellagitannins, and
hydrolysable tannins.
Along with tannin, Ellagic acid is another major constituent
present in pomegranate peel shown to possess strong
anti-proliferative activities.
Source: Sharma P, McClees S F (2017). Pomegranate for the
prevention and treatment of cancer: An update; 22(1): 177-
182. doi: 10.3390/molecules22010177

15. The pomegranate peel has a relatively high nutritive
value. It is a valuable source of plant secondary
compounds, such as polyphenols, especially tannins, and
saponins, and thus a potential functional feed ingredient
in ruminant diets for improving the redox and health
status and protein utilization.
The strategic use of functional feeds like pomegranate
peel may have a double benefit
(1) to lower greenhouse gas emissions and
(2) to promote the utilization of food industry by-
products in livestock nutrition.
The Tannins present are known to be able to modulate
rumen processes and have positive antioxidant effects,
but they might also mediate toxic effects to the animal.
Source: Ain, H. B. U., Tufail, T., Bashir, S., Ijaz, N., Hussain, M., Ikram, A., Farooq, M. A., &
Saewan, S. A. (2023). Nutritional importance and industrial uses of pomegranate
peel: A critical review. Food Science & Nutrition, 11, 2589–2598.
https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.3320

16. Pomegranate peel extracts exhibited inhibitory and bactericidal effects against Gram-positive and Gram-
negative bacteria which is an added advantage for edible coatings.
It has higher amounts of bioactive compounds as well as higher antioxidant and antibacterial activity such
as Gallic acid, ellagic acid, and caffeic acid which are responsible to extend the shelf life of processed
products.
Source: Ain, H. B. U., Tufail, T., Bashir, S., Ijaz, N., Hussain, M., Ikram, A., Farooq, M. A., & Saewan, S. A. (2023). Nutritional importance and industrial uses of
pomegranatepeel: A critical review. Food Science & Nutrition, 11, 2589–2598. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.3320

17. Pomegranate peel phenolics improves stored meat products quality, namely instrumental color retaining,
limitaion of microflora growth, retardation of lipid and protein oxidation.
It is used as a functional ingredient to replace part of the fat, in a raw meat product determining changes in
instrumental colour and texture, sensory acceptation, and neophobia.
Source: Ain, H. B. U., Tufail, T., Bashir, S., Ijaz, N., Hussain, M., Ikram, A., Farooq, M. A., & Saewan, S. A. (2023). Nutritional importance and industrial uses of
pomegranatepeel: A critical review. Food Science & Nutrition, 11, 2589–2598. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.3320

18. Pomegranate peel is a source of several bioactive components in bakery products that helps to increase
shelf life and improve the product's quality properties and nutrition value.
Pomegranate peel has no phytic acid , plays an important role in the bakery products as food additives.
They are low in fat and good source of dietary fiber, protein and a variety of micronutrients and
phytochemicals. Studies have also shown that it may have therapeutic activity to its high content in dietary
fiber as hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and cancer. So it added to many food products as bakery products
Supplementation with other ingredients in bakery and other processed products helps in improving the
nutritional and chemical qualities
Source: Ain, H. B. U., Tufail, T., Bashir, S., Ijaz, N., Hussain, M., Ikram, A., Farooq, M. A., & Saewan, S. A. (2023). Nutritional importance and industrial uses of
pomegranatepeel: A critical review. Food Science & Nutrition, 11, 2589–2598. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.3320

19.  Pomegranate peels showed higher antioxidant properties and
pose higher in applications for food products.
 They exhibit anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, improvement of
cardiovascular diseases, anti-infection, and healing, playing a
modulating and interventional role in several diseases.
 Reusing these in the fresh food industry could be a sustainable
way to reduce environmental impact and costs associated with
significant advantages to the product quality and its shelf life
followed by improvement in human health.

20. 1. Gupta ND, Jain SS, Patrikar VG (2020). Development and stabilization of pH of pomegranate peel mouthwash in oral
hygiene: An experimental study. J Indian Sys Medicine;8:277-80.
https://www.joinsysmed.com/text.asp?2020/8/4/277/309124
2. Ain, H. B. U., Tufail, T., Bashir, S., Ijaz, N., Hussain, M., Ikram, A., Farooq, M. A., & Saewan, S. A. (2023). Nutritional
importance and industrial uses of pomegranate peel: A critical review. Food Science & Nutrition, 11, 2589–2598.
https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.3320
3. Ramzy M (2019). Role of pomegranate peel on ameliorated hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia in experimental
rats. Journal of Medical Science Research; 2:185-90. http://www.jmsr.eg.net/text.asp?2019/2/3/185/271516
4. Khan JA, Hanee S(2011). Antibacterial properties of Punica granatum peels. International Journal of Applied Biology
and Pharmaceutical Technology; 2(3):23-27.
5. G Rowayshed, Hamza A (2013), Nutritional and hemical evaluation for Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Fruit Peel and
Seeds Powders By Products; Middle East Journal of Applied Sciences, 3(4): 169-179 ISSN2077-4613
6. Kushwaha, S. C., Bera, M. B., & Kumar, P. (2013). Nutritional composition of detanninated and fresh pomegranate peel
powder. IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology, 7(1), 38–42.
7. Ko, K., Dadmohammadi, Y., & Abbaspourrad, A. (2021). Nutritional and bioactive components of pomegranate waste
used in food and cosmetic applications: A review. Food, 10(3), 657; doi: 10.3390/foods10030657