This Dark Red Drink Good for the Heart
Pomegranate shown to have wide health benefits
Pomegranate juice: a heart-healthy fruit juice. Arpita Basu and Kavitha Penugonda. Nutrition Reviews, Volume 67, Issue 1 (p 49-56). 2009.
Abstract:
Pomegranate juice is a polyphenol-rich fruit juice with high antioxidant capacity. In limited studies in human and murine models, pomegranate juice has been shown to exert significant antiatherogenic, antioxidant, antihypertensive, and anti-inflammatory effects. Pomegranate juice significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesion areas in immune-deficient mice and intima media thickness in cardiac patients on medications. It also decreased lipid peroxidation in patients with type 2 diabetes, and systolic blood pressure and serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity in hypertensive patients. Thus, the potential cardioprotective benefits of pomegranate juice deserve further clinical investigation, and evidence to date suggests it may be prudent to include this fruit juice in a heart-healthy diet.
What does this article say? This is a review article detailing research done on the effects of adding pomegranate juice intake to the diet. It reviews literature showing the effects of pomegranate on normalizing blood pressure, atherosclerosis and vascular disease, as well as decreasing inflammation.
What does this mean? Humans are designed to eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and ones with bright colors consistently are shown to be highly beneficial. So try adding some pomegranate juice into your regular diet. It tastes good, too. It turns that many things that are beneficial for your body are actually delicious as well.
How much should I drink? There is no official recommendation, but a few ounces seems to be a good ballpark estimate. I like to mix it with water, as it can be quite powerful.
Who do I pass this on to? Pass this on to someone who is making their health a priority – and needs help with strategies to implement. Then refer them over to the office website, fransonchiropractic.com, for tons more health and life-saving info!
