Pomegranate Cucumber Sesame Salad

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Pomegranates are being hailed as a super-food which can protect the heart.

Scientists in Israel have shown that drinking a daily glass of the fruit's juice can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

"Pomegranate juice contains the highest antioxidant capacity compared to other juices, red wine and green tea," said Professor Michael Aviram, who led the team.

This is good news, for antioxidants are the naturally occurring substances in plants that protect the body from free radicals - 'bad' chemicals in the blood.

Free radicals alter cholesterol in a process known as oxidation, which is thought to speed up the hardening of the arteries.

In studies at the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, the juice of the fruit was found to slow down cholesterol oxidation by almost half, and reduce the retention of LDL.

That is the 'bad' cholesterol which forms atherosclerotic lesions, the fatty deposits which narrow the arteries and lead to heart disease.

"Antioxidants can protect us against the oxidative stress in our industrialised world, such as pollution, chemicals, viruses and bacteria, and consequently cardiovascular diseases and cancer," said Professor Aviram.

Source - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3937053.stm

Pomegranate Cucumber Sesame Salad

Ingredients

• 1 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1 cup chopped cucumber
• 2 tbsp chopped cabbage
• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
• 1/4 tsp honey
• 1/4 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp extra vergin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp finely chopped green chilli
• salt to taste

Procedure

In a bowl add the olive oil,honey, lemon juice, toasted sesame seeds with salt and mix nicely.
Now add the pomegranate, cabbage, cucumber and green chilli.

Toss well and serve chilled.

I am sending this salad to Pia wonderful event : Innovative Salads

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