You should really not do this. If you only read this far, the take away should be, that pomegranate peels are not a daily drink.

I’ve seen, too many videos pop up across social media platforms, singing the praises of pomegranate, namely the peel.

Pomegranates are truly amazing. They hold the title of super fruit and through some smart marketing in the 2000’s are more widely available now than ever before.

Packed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory benefits, potentially a guard against diabetes and dementia, these heart healthy ancient fruits are everything you could ask for in a super food.

There is so much mythology surrounding the pomegranate that adds to the mystique. Honestly I can see the temptation to want to devour the entire thing.

Okay, why shouldn’t you take those beautiful red leathery peels and brew them into a magical antioxidant potion?

In short, it will back you up harder than traffic on the BQE during rush hour. Constipation.

If you didn’t grow up with access to Ukrainian, Asian or Balkan grandmothers or aunties, you probably wouldn’t know and find yourself charmed by flashy influencer videos, telling you to dry and drink pompeels.

A ubiquitous home remedy for troubled stomachs (diarrhea) are dried pomegranate peels.

My grandmother always had a glass jar of dried peels in the cupboard.

Other treatments were thick rice porridge and for babies/toddlers the starchy water from boiled rice helped are great natural remedies if reaching for stronger pharmaceutical is not an option.

Why would pomegranate peel tea cause contispation? (the internet is saying otherwise)

I did a general search and there are dozens of articles suggesting that incorportating pomegranate peel tea into your tea routine is beneficial to your gut.

Pomegranate peels are high in fiber! And altjough fiber is good, too much has the opposite effect of keeping you regular. Dried and milled down into a powder, creates a powerful concentrate of fiber, perfect for causing constipation.

Pomegranates are also high in tannins. Much like persimmons ( whose tannins can be neutralized via freezing, minimizing their astringent taste and effects on your gut) pomegranates contain the similar concentrations of soluble tannins.

Aside from not tasting very good, the tea is bitter and leaves a puckering unpleasantness in the mouth, it is a contributing factor in potential constipation.

Teas to add to your daily tea time:

Chamomile

Rosehip

Mint

Hibiscus

Currant Leaves

Hope this was helpful!