10. Pomegranate can help clean your arteries:
Pomegranate is another great antioxidant-rich fruit. Pomegranate prevents the hardening of the arteries and can even reverse arteriosclerosis.
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. These play an important role in the prevention of atherosclerotic lesions and decrease oxidation of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol.
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. People in the control group, who did not consume pomegranate juice, had their arterial blockages increased by 9%, which gave further support to pomegranate’s heart-protecting potential.
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. This study, too, confirmed that pomegranate reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in the vessel walls, which protects the blood vessels against the formation of ominous plaque.
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. You can read more about inflammation and the damage it causes in my previous article.
- It lowers blood pressure. Find here more ways to reduce you blood pressure naturally.
- 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.
Including this fruit in your diet appears to be a good decision. 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.
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