You know those infomercial gadgets that do 10 jobs in one? Well, there's a fruit that tops them all.

It's the pomegranate. And it puts on quite a show when it comes to fighting disease. We're talking everything from cancer to high blood pressure.

The All-Purpose Pomegranate
The pomegranate -- a tough, leathery fruit packed with delicious, edible seeds -- has been used medicinally since ancient times. When present-day researchers recently took a closer look, reviewing over 90 pomegranate-related studies, what did they find? Pomegranates have antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and even antimicrobial properties. Whew! Our ancestors were onto something. Here's a short list of what pomegranates may help tackle:

• Cancer: In lab studies, pomegranate extract triggered the death of both prostate and breast cancer cells. (When's the best age for prostate cancer screening to begin? Read this article for answers.)
• Blood pressure: Pomegranate juice dropped systolic numbers in hypertensive patients. (Try these 6 tips for getting the best blood pressure readings.)
• Blood sugar: Pomegranate improved blood sugar levels in animal studies. (Here's another tasty way to get steadier blood sugar.)

Recipe Corner
Fresh pomegranate seeds by themselves are delicious. Or whip up one of these authentic recipes from EatingWell:

• Pomegranate-Glazed Turkey with Roasted Fennel
• Barley and Wild Rice Pilaf with Pomegranate Seeds