Khaberni - Pomegranate is considered one of the fruits rich in powerful polyphenol compounds, most notably punicalagin, which is responsible for the high antioxidant activity of pomegranates. Scientific research has shown that consumption of pomegranate and its products effectively contributes to improving many risk factors associated with heart disease and cardiovascular diseases.
Pomegranate is rich in antioxidants that enhance heart health by lowering blood pressure, improving arteries, reducing harmful cholesterol, and reducing inflammation, thereby decreasing the risks of heart disease. Incorporating pomegranate or its juice into the diet represents an effective, evidence-based nutritional strategy to support heart health and reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases.
This report reviews the most prominent benefits of pomegranate for heart health:
1. Lowering blood pressure
Scientific evidence indicates that pomegranate has properties against high blood pressure. Meta-analyses of the results of randomized clinical trials have confirmed that consumption of pomegranate juice leads to a significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
It is believed that this effect is partly due to the ability of pomegranate compounds to inhibit the activity of the angiotensin-converting enzyme, an enzyme that plays a major role in regulating blood pressure, in addition to improving the endothelial function of the blood vessels.
2. Enhancing arterial health and reducing sclerosis
Protecting arteries from sclerosis and plaque buildup is one of the most important benefits of pomegranate. A leading clinical study on patients with carotid artery stenosis showed direct, astonishing results, revealing a decrease in the thickness of the intima-media of the carotid artery: Consuming pomegranate juice for up to a year led to a reduction in CIMT thickness by up to 35 percent, a vital indicator of the retreat of arterial sclerosis.
These results suggest that pomegranate's role is not only preventative but may also contribute to reversing the progression of existing arterial sclerosis, directly reducing the risks of cardiovascular events.
3. Reducing oxidation of harmful cholesterol
While some analyses have not found a significant effect of pomegranate on overall harmful cholesterol levels in the blood, the real benefit lies in protecting this cholesterol from oxidation, the process that turns it into a harmful form that deposits in the artery walls and causes sclerosis.
Studies have shown that pomegranate juice significantly reduces the susceptibility of harmful cholesterol to oxidation. The antioxidants in pomegranate, especially punicalagin, are superior in protecting low-density lipoprotein proteins from damage, preventing the formation of oxidized harmful cholesterol.
4. Reducing inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a major contributing factor in heart disease. Research has proven that pomegranate possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties, indicated by a decrease in C-reactive protein; Meta-analyses have shown that pomegranate supplements contribute to improving levels of C-reactive protein, a key systemic inflammation and heart risk indicator.
The polyphenol compounds in pomegranate modulate inflammation pathways and reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, contributing to a healthier vascular environment, less prone to damage.
