Research suggests pomegranate juice may help clear arteries and reduce 'bad' cholesterol. A study found that patients who consumed pomegranate juice over a year experienced up to a 30% reduction in carotid artery thickness. According to Daily Mirror - UK News, researchers reported that systolic blood pressure decreased after one year of pomegranate juice consumption by 12 percent and did not further reduce over three years.
They also noted that pomegranate juice consumption by patients with carotid artery stenosis decreases carotid intimal-media thickness and systolic blood pressure. However, it remains unknown whether these health benefits are confirmed in large-scale, long-term clinical trials or how the effects of pomegranate and orange juice compare directly in terms of reducing cardiovascular risk factors. A recent study shows that regular orange juice consumption can influence the activity of thousands of genes in immune cells, affecting blood pressure, inflammation, and sugar processing.
Systolic blood pressure was reduced after one year of pomegranate juice consumption by 12 per cent and was not further reduced along three years of PJ consumption.
A systematic review of 15 studies found that regular orange juice consumption lowered insulin resistance and blood cholesterol levels. An analysis found that overweight and obese adults had small reductions in systolic blood pressure and increases in HDL cholesterol after several weeks of daily orange juice consumption. Orange juice may affect the gut microbiome, which plays a role in heart health.
The optimal daily amount of orange juice needed to achieve significant heart health benefits is not yet clear, and it is unknown whether these findings apply equally to all population groups, including those with pre-existing heart conditions.
The results of the present study suggest that pomegranate juice consumption by patients with carotid artery stenosis decreases carotid intimal-media thickness and systolic blood pressure.