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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- "International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research"; Cholesterol-Lowering Effect of Concentrated Pomegranate Juice Consumption in Type Ii Diabetic Patients with Hyperlipidemia; Ahmad Esmaillzadeh, et al.; May 2006
- "International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research"; Cholesterol-Lowering Effect of Concentrated Pomegranate Juice Consumption in Type Ii Diabetic Patients with Hyperlipidemia; Ahmad Esmaillzadeh, et al.; May 2006
- "Diabetes and Vascular Disease Research"; The Endothelium and Vascular Inflammation in Diabetes; Martin Hartge, et al.; June 2007
- "Diabetes and Vascular Disease Research"; The Endothelium and Vascular Inflammation in Diabetes; Martin Hartge, et al.; June 2007
- "Nitric Oxide"; Pomegranate Juice Protects Nitric Oxide against Oxidative Destruction and Enhances the Biological Actions of Nitric Oxide; Louis Ignarro, et al.; Sep 2006
- "Nitric Oxide"; Pomegranate Juice Protects Nitric Oxide against Oxidative Destruction and Enhances the Biological Actions of Nitric Oxide; Louis Ignarro, et al.; Sep 2006
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Does Pomegranate Juice Clean Your Arteries?
Pomegranate juice is a nutrient-dense beverage containing high concentrations of antioxidants, particularly vitamin C and polyphenols. Pomegranate juice slows down or prevents buildup of arterial plaque based on studies in test tubes, animals and humans, yet there is not any solid evidence it may clean your arteries. However, the fruit juice can be dangerous when taken with certain medications. Consult your doctor about drinking pomegranate juice to clean your arteries.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a cardiovascular disease characterized by hardened arteries clogged with plaque made from fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances. A small part of plaque can dislodge from your arterial wall and cause a blood clot that can block blood flow and induce a heart attack or stroke. High blood levels of LDL cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol, and inflammation of the endothelium, the cells that line the interior of your arteries, are risk factors for developing atherosclerosis.
- Atherosclerosis is a cardiovascular disease characterized by hardened arteries clogged with plaque made from fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances.
- A small part of plaque can dislodge from your arterial wall and cause a blood clot that can block blood flow and induce a heart attack or stroke.
LDL Cholesterol
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Lowering your blood levels of LDL-cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol, may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. The polyphenols in pomegranate juice may inhibit oxidation of LDL cholesterol and reduce progression of atherosclerosis in your coronary arteries. Scientists at the National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute in Tehran, Iran, found drinking pomegranate juice significantly lowers blood levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in patients with diabetes, high total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, according to research published in the "International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research" in May 2006 1.
Endothelium
The endothelial cells normally produce a gas called nitric oxide that relaxes and expands the arteries and increases blood flow. Endothelial cells that are chronically exposed to LDL cholesterol become inflamed with impaired production of nitric oxide, according to research published by scientists at the Center for Cardiovascular Research in Berlin, Germany, and published in "Diabetes and Vascular Disease Research" in June 2007 2. Pomegranate juice stimulates the production of nitric oxide 3. Scientists at the University of California at Los Angeles found pomegranate juice has potent antioxidant activity that inhibits oxidation of nitric oxide, stimulates production of the gas by the arterial endothelial cells and augments its biological actions, according to research published in "Nitric Oxide" in September 2006 3.
Considerations
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Drinking pomegranate juice increases your caloric intake, is costly and elevates your risk of side effects. You may need to drink 16 oz. or more of pomegranate juice daily, which equates to almost 300 calories, to receive significant cardiovascular benefits. Pomegranate juice may increase your risk of rhabdomyolysis if taken with statin medication to lower cholesterol. Rhabdomyolysis is characterized by muscle breakdown and kidney damage. Scientists at the Henry Low Heart Center in Hartford, Connecticut, reported a case of a 48-year-old man with rhabdomyolysis three weeks after drinking approximately 6.76 oz. of pomegranate juice twice weekly while taking rosuvastatin medication, according to research published in the "American Journal of Cardiology" in September 2006.
- Drinking pomegranate juice increases your caloric intake, is costly and elevates your risk of side effects.
- of pomegranate juice twice weekly while taking rosuvastatin medication, according to research published in the "American Journal of Cardiology" in September 2006.
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References
- "International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research"; Cholesterol-Lowering Effect of Concentrated Pomegranate Juice Consumption in Type Ii Diabetic Patients with Hyperlipidemia; Ahmad Esmaillzadeh, et al.; May 2006
- "Diabetes and Vascular Disease Research"; The Endothelium and Vascular Inflammation in Diabetes; Martin Hartge, et al.; June 2007
- "Nitric Oxide"; Pomegranate Juice Protects Nitric Oxide against Oxidative Destruction and Enhances the Biological Actions of Nitric Oxide; Louis Ignarro, et al.; Sep 2006
- Pomegranate. Professional Monograph. Natural Medicine Database. Therapeutic Resource Center. 5/6/2019
- Bassiri-Jahromi S. Punica granatum (Pomegranate) activity in health promotion and cancer prevention. Oncol Rev. 2018;12(1):345. Published 2018 Jan 30. doi:10.4081/oncol.2018.345
- Bhadbhade SJ, Acharya AB, Rodrigues SV, et al. The antiplaque efficacy of pomegranate mouthrinse. Quintessence International. 2011;42(1):29-36.
- Danesi F, Ferguson LR. Could Pomegranate Juice Help in the Control of Inflammatory Diseases?. Nutrients. 2017;9(9):958. Published 2017 Aug 30. doi:10.3390/nu9090958
- Hidaka M, Okumura M, Fujita K, Ogikubo T, Yamasaki K, Iwakiri T, Setoguchi N, Arimori K. Effects of pomegranate juice on human cytochrome p450 3A (CYP3A) and carbamazepine pharmacokinetics in rats. Drug Metabolism and Disposition. 33.5 (2005):644-8.
- Ismail T, Sestili P, Akhtar S. Pomegranate peel and fruit extracts: a review of potential anti-inflammatory and anti-infective effects. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2012;143(2):397-3405.
- Kim H, Yoon YJ, Shon JH, Cha IJ, Shin JG, Liu KH. Inhibitory effects of fruit juices on CYP3A activity. Drug Metabolism and Disposition. 34.4 (2006):521-3.
- Sahebkar, A., Ferri, C., Giorgini, P., Bo, S., Nachtigal, P., & Grassi, D. (2017). Effects of pomegranate juice on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Pharmacological Research, 115, 149–161. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2016.11.018
- Sharma P, McClees SF, Afaq F. Pomegranate for Prevention and Treatment of Cancer: An Update. Molecules. 2017;22(1):177. Published 2017 Jan 24. doi:10.3390/molecules22010177
- Sorokin AV, Duncan B, Panetta R, Thompson PD. Rhabdomyolysis associated with pomegranate juice consumption. American Journal of Cardiology. 98.5 (2006):705-6.
- Taheri Rouhi SZ, Sarker MMR, Rahmat A, Alkahtani SA, Othman F. The effect of pomegranate fresh juice versus pomegranate seed powder on metabolic indices, lipid profile, inflammatory biomarkers, and the histopathology of pancreatic islets of Langerhans in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced type 2 diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats [published correction appears in BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017 Apr 13;17 (1):214]. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017;17(1):156. Published 2017 Mar 14. doi:10.1186/s12906-017-1667-6
- Wang D, Özen C, Abu-Reidah IM, et al. Vasculoprotective Effects of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:544. Published 2018 May 24. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00544
- Zarfeshany A, Asgary S, Javanmard SH. Potent health effects of pomegranate. Adv Biomed Res. 2014;3:100. Published 2014 Mar 25. doi:10.4103/2277-9175.129371
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Writer Bio
Jeffrey Traister is a writer and filmmaker. For more than 25 years, he has covered nutrition and medicine for health-care companies and publishers, also producing digital video for websites, DVDs and commercials. Trained in digital filmmaking at The New School, Traister also holds a Master of Science in human nutrition and medicine from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.