Pomegranate Promotes Heart Health

Heart disease is the world's leading cause of death.^1,2 Yet many of the risk factors associated with it are largely preventable or controllable through changes in diet or nutrition.³

Pomegranate is a nutrient-dense superfood that has been consumed for millennia and has become popular all over the world.⁴ It is packed with compounds that have been shown in preclinical models to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.^4,5

One of its most impressive properties demonstrated in preclinical settings is its ability to protect the heart in multiple ways, including by preventing and even reversing endothelial dysfunction⁶-- a major contributor to atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the arteries.⁷

Its benefits for the heart are enormous. Across many different kinds of studies, pomegranate extracts have been found to reduce blood clots in animals,⁸ reduce cholesterol and triglycerides in animals,⁹ improve blood flow in young healthy adults,¹⁰ and lower blood pressure in humans.^11,12

In a clinical trial, pomegranate has been shown to reverse atherosclerotic changes in patients with carotid artery stenosis.¹¹  

These benefits may reduce risks for cardiovascular diseases.

A Nutritional Powerhouse

Pomegranate has been recognized as one of the oldest known edible fruits.⁴

All parts of the pomegranate plant, including the fruit, leaves, peel, seeds, and flowers, are packed with beneficial compounds. These include anthocyanins, organic acids, flavonoids, and tannins.⁴

These potent bioactive compounds, found in pomegranate fruit, juice, and extracts have been shown to have health-promoting properties, with the potential to help improve or control inflammation, diabetes, blood lipid levels, and more. A number of clinical trials have confirmed the benefits, especially for blood pressure.⁴

By preventing and reversing endothelial dysfunction, pomegranate may help protect the cardiovascular system against the life-threatening processes that lead to high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and eventually heart attacks and strokes.^4,6

Endothelial dysfunction affects the delicate tissue (endothelium) lining the inside of blood vessels. It is a major contributor to atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the arteries. Atherosclerosis, in turn, is the leading cause of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.^7,13

Improving Lipid Health

Atherosclerosis is a complex process that involves inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and active lipid accumulation. There is convincing evidence that cholesterol-lowering drugs, targeting low density lipoprotein (LDL) and related particles, can reduce progression of plaque and prevent cardiovascular events.¹⁴

Animal models have shown that pomegranate can reduce blood levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (the "bad" kind that contributes to atherosclerosis), and triglycerides (another type of fat linked to risk for heart disease).^15-18

Oxidation of LDL cholesterol makes it even more dangerous than normal LDL. Oxidized LDL accumulates in blood vessel walls more easily and accelerates the progression of atherosclerosis. Pomegranate decreases the oxidation of lipids.^19,20

In human studies, consuming pomegranate juice has significantly reduced blood levels of oxidized LDL.^19,21

Restoring Blood Vessel Function

Perhaps the most important sign of endothelial dysfunction is an impaired ability of blood vessels to dilate (widen) when necessary.²²

Both preclinical and clinical evidence demonstrate that pomegranate extract improves endothelial function and promotes arterial relaxation and dilation.^23,24

Pomegranate accomplishes this by targeting several compounds, including:

• Nitric oxide. This is one of the most important vasodilators, which means it induces the dilation of arteries. In preclinical studies, scientists have found that pomegranate is supportive of vascular/endothelial health through a dual-action of increasing the enzymes that support nitric oxide production^22,25-27  but also neutralizing compounds, such as peroxynitrate, an enzyme that can be damaging to nitric oxide production.²⁸
• Thromboxane A2. This vasoconstrictor causes the narrowing of arteries.²⁹ Pomegranate extract inhibits an enzyme required to produce thromboxane A2,³⁰ lowering its levels and reducing constriction of arteries.

Preventing Blood Clots

Endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis increase the risk of abnormal blood clots. Most heart attacks and strokes are caused by clots forming in diseased arteries, which reduces blood flow to the heart or brain.^14,31

Fortunately, the same thromboxane that is blocked by pomegranate also influences the function of platelets, the tiny cells in our blood that form clots.

Thromboxane A2 activates platelets and causes their aggregation. Pomegranate reduces thromboxane A2.^29,30

In animal studies, pomegranate juice and extract reduce the clotting of human platelets, even when exposed to stimuli that would normally cause their aggregation.^8,30

Improving Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a contributor to initiation and development of atherosclerosis.³²

One of the most common classes of drugs used to lower blood pressure are ACE inhibitors, which block an enzyme involved in blood pressure.

Preclinical and clinical research discovered that, like these medications, pomegranate inhibits ACE activity.^33,34 Through this and other mechanisms, it is able to help reduce elevated blood pressure, thereby protecting blood vessel health and lowering the risk of heart disease.¹²

In people with high blood pressure, two weeks of pomegranate intake decreased blood ACE activity by 36%.33 In this and other human studies, pomegranate led to a significant reduction in both systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure.^12,35

In one study of subjects with atherosclerosis in the carotid artery, which delivers blood to the brain, head, and neck, pomegranate juice intake reduced systolic blood pressure up to 12%.¹¹

Those with high blood pressure should use an at-home blood pressure monitor to target blood pressure below 120/80 throughout the day and night.

With aging, anti-hypertension drugs are often required in addition to lifestyle changes to achieve optimal blood pressure readings.

Controlling Blood Glucose

Poor control of blood glucose levels is another powerful contributor to endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.^6,13

In animal studies, pomegranate seed-oil extract improved insulin sensitivity and reduced fasting blood glucose levels.^36,37 In studies of patients with type II diabetes or impaired glucose control, pomegranate juice improved pancreas function, insulin sensitivity, and blood glucose control.^38,39

Pomegranate extract has been shown to suppress the glycation of proteins and prevent their accumulation, even in a high sugar diet.⁴⁰ Glycation is a chemical reaction whereby sugars permanently attach themselves to proteins, fats, or nucleic acids. This is a highly destructive process that damages tissues, including those in the arteries.⁴¹

Reducing Atherosclerotic Plaques

Through all these actions, pomegranate use has a profound impact on blood vessel health.

In studies of rodents and pigs, pomegranate extract is capable of reversing endothelial dysfunction.^42,43

Animal models of accelerated atherosclerosis also show that pomegranate prevents and reverses the progression of atherosclerotic plaque.

For example, rodent studies showed that pomegranate juice or extract helped maintain healthy arteries and significantly slowed the progression of atherosclerosis.^44,45 In a mouse study, pomegranate reduced the size of atherosclerotic plaques by 44%.²¹

Human trials have also found striking effects on cardiovascular disease outcomes.

One clinical study that evaluated patients with atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries found that pomegranate juice consumption decreased the extent of atherosclerotic plaque by up to 35% after a year. Those who did not receive pomegranate had a 9% worsening of atherosclerosis.¹¹

In adults hospitalized with unstable angina (chest pain at rest due to inadequate blood flow) or heart attack, one glass of pomegranate juice per day for five days, as an add-on to standard treatment, significantly reduced the frequency, intensity, and duration of angina (chest pain) episodes. It also reduced levels of a marker of oxidative stress.⁴⁶

Another study in patients with heart disease found that while exercise-induced ischemia (reduced blood flow) of the heart increased in a control group over three months, patients receiving pomegranate had a significant decrease.⁴⁷

These studies show how pomegranate can help reduce risk for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease and help people with existing heart disease.

Summary

Pomegranate is a rich natural source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients. Extracts of pomegranate have been found to help reduce risk factors for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.

Pomegranate and its extracts may be capable of preventing and reversing signs of endothelial dysfunction, blood vessel damage that contributes to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke.

Pomegranate also improves other risk factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease, including blood pressure, blood glucose, and oxidation of lipids.

Through all of these actions, pomegranate and its extracts could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disorders and relieve symptoms in people already diagnosed with heart disease.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

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