Chinnakannan Sivasankaran, the founder of telecom giant Aircel, has recently shared his two cents about health and wellness on Raj Shamani’s podcast ‘Figuring Out Co’. When asked by the host what’s the one fruit that people can have to improve their health, Sivasankaran said: “I will answer your question, but I am in a dilemma. If you are rich, one fruit you should take is blueberry. If you are poor, the one fruit you should take is pomegranate.”
“Blueberries are a powerhouse, they support your brain, skin, and overall health. 70g a day can work wonders. Pomegranates, on the other hand, are an affordable alternative with great benefits too,” he further added in the caption of his Instagram post.
Let’s learn about the benefits of blueberries and pomegranates when added to your regular diet.
Dr Ranga Santosh Kumar, consultant general physician and diabetologist, Yashoda Hospitals, told that pomegranates are loaded with powerful antioxidants, particularly punicalagins and anthocyanins, pomegranates protect the body against free radical damage and oxidative stress. Their polyphenols act as powerful antioxidants, reducing inflammation and protecting cells from damage.
“Pomegranate juice can improve blood flow and help prevent cholesterol buildup in arteries due to its anti-inflammatory properties,” said Dr Rohini Patil, MBBS and nutritionist, founder Of Nutracy Lifestyle.
According to Dr Kumar, pomegranate can also have a “positive impact on heart health by improving cholesterol levels, reducing blood pressure, and preventing arterial plaque buildup”. It also makes the skin glow.
Dr Ushakiran Sisodia, registered dietician and clinical nutritionist at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital in told indianexpress.com that the rich antioxidant content of helps to fight free radicals, potentially preventing cell damage in our body.
She added that regular consumption of blueberries has been linked to improved heart health, enhanced brain function, and sharper cognition. In fact, their anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
However, she warned that overconsumption of blueberries can lead to digestive discomfort, so you must always eat them as part of a balanced diet. According to her, any fruit with natural sweetness like blueberry should be consumed in moderate quantity.
