Pomegranate Juice Linked to Blood Pressure Reduction

A recent study published in Pharmacological Research shows that drinking pomegranate juice may be an effective method for reducing blood pressure. This study—Effects of Pomegranate Juice on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials—assessed the results from eight previously existing studies that measured the effects of drinking pomegranate juice on blood pressure.

All of the studies reviewed measured the effect of drinking pomegranate juice, in concentrations ranging from 50 ml/day (about half a cup) to 500ml/day (about 2 cups). The lengths of the eight included studies ranged from two weeks to 18 months. Findings from this meta-analysis show that pomegranate juice reduced both systolic (the top number on a blood pressure reading, representing arterial pressure during heart contraction) and diastolic (the bottom number, the pressure on your arteries when the heart is resting, between beats) blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure was reduced regardless of the duration of the study and in doses greater than and less than 240mL (about 1 cup) of juice a day.  Diastolic blood pressure was reduced significantly only in those trials lasting less than 12 weeks and serving more than 240mL of pomegranate juice per day.

The mean blood pressure lowering effect for all of these studies combined was 5/2 mmHg, which research shows can make an impactful difference in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Researchers think this juice’s blood pressure lowering power comes from the polyphenols and antioxidants abundant in pomegranate juice.

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