Pomegranate Both Prevents And Reverses Atherosclerosis

Fresh pomegranate or pomegranate juice each day can go a long way to keep the heart healthy.

Heart disease is a leading cause of death, often related to atherosclerosis, i.e., thickening of arterial walls due to plaque buildup.

Scientific studies about pomegranate

Back in 2000, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, provided evidence that pomegranate’s juice has potent antiatherogenic effects. In other words, pomegranate juice can protect against the formation of fatty deposits within the walls of arteries. This was connected to the fruit’s antioxidative properties. Pomegranate is rich in polyphenols and other antioxidants.

In 2004, a group of Israeli scientists examined the effect of pomegranate juice on a group of patients with an already existing carotid artery stenosis (narrowing of the arteries that supply the head and neck with blood). Ten patients were given pomegranate juice for one year and five of them continued for up to three years. The results showed a reversal in carotid artery stenosis by up to 30%. Patients’ blood pressure decreased as well.

In 2013, the journal Atherosclerosis published a pomegranate-related study. Mice with a genetic susceptibility towards spontaneous coronary artery blockages were given pomegranate extract. After two weeks, it was observed that the atherosclerotic features reduced.

Pomegranate’s characteristics that help prevent cardiovascular disease

Pomegranate has the following, scientifically proven, properties:

• It has an anti-inflammatory effect – inflammation often plays a major role in the development of chronic conditions, including heart disease.
• It lowers blood pressure.
• It has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties – secondary viral and bacterial infections often develop due to plaque buildup, including hepatitis C and Chlamydia pneumonia.
• It is a powerful antioxidant and reduces oxidative stress in the blood.

Pomegranate both prevents and reverses atherosclerosis. It improves blood flow through the heart and promotes a healthy blood pressure, giving you an all-round protection from heart and vessel diseases. Eat it fresh or get concentrated juices and extracts and enjoy its taste and health benefits. Research has shown some heart health benefits from as little as two ounces of pomegranate juice a day.