Pomegranate Juice May Reduce Blood Pressure
Because the consumption of pomegranate juice, rich in tannins, including punicalagins, possess anti-atherosclerotic properties which could be related to its potent anti-oxidative characteristics, researchers decided to see if the juice is capable of being an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme activity which is responsible for the formation of angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes arteries in the body to constrict and thereby raises the blood pressure. ACE inhibitors lower the blood pressure by inhibiting the formation of angiotensin II. The research involved studying the effects of pomegranate juice consumption (50 ml, 1.5mmol of total polyphenols per day, for 2 weeks) by hypertensive patients on their blood pressure and on serum ACE activity. A 36% reduction in serum ACE activity and a 5% reduction in systolic blood pressure were found. A similar dose dependent inhibitory effect (31%) of pomegranate juice on serum ACE activity was seen also in vitro (test tube). In conclusion, pomegranate juice may offer a wide protection against cardiovascular diseases. More research is needed to confirm these findings. For more information go to the journal Atherosclerosis, September 2001, Issue 158. Read More.
Because the consumption of pomegranate juice, rich in tannins, including punicalagins, possess anti-atherosclerotic properties which could be related to its potent anti-oxidative characteristics, researchers decided to see if the juice is capable of being an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme activity which is responsible for the formation of angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes arteries in the body to constrict and thereby raises the blood pressure. ACE inhibitors lower the blood pressure by inhibiting the formation of angiotensin II. The research involved studying the effects of pomegranate juice consumption (50 ml, 1.5mmol of total polyphenols per day, for 2 weeks) by hypertensive patients on their blood pressure and on serum ACE activity. A 36% reduction in serum ACE activity and a 5% reduction in systolic blood pressure were found. A similar dose dependent inhibitory effect (31%) of pomegranate juice on serum ACE activity was seen also in vitro (test tube). In conclusion, pomegranate juice may offer a wide protection against cardiovascular diseases. More research is needed to confirm these findings. For more information go to the journal Atherosclerosis, September 2001, Issue 158. Read More.