Pomegranate Juice can help to lower blood pressure

Total Health | April 12th, 2011

New research from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh identifies that pomegranate juice can help to reduce blood pressureThe pressure of blood within the arteries.. 

The study investigated the effects of pomegranate juice on bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. pressure and involved 20 participants, 10 of whom took a daily 500ml portion of pomegranate juice, and 10 who took just 500ml of water. Measurements of blood pressure and urinary hormoneA substance produced by a gland in one part of the body and carried by the blood to the organs or tissues where it has an effect. levels were taken before and after 30 minutes of exercise, both before starting the study and one week after. The individuals who drank the pomegranate juice showed significant improvements in blood pressure after one week, whilst those drinking only water showed no significant difference. Even after just one week of pomegranate juice, systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were lowered both before and after exercise. 

This is the first study to show that pomegranate juice can have a positive effect on blood pressure levels and further studies will now be required.  A possible next step will be to identify whether pomegranate juice has similar effects on individuals who already have a high blood pressure.   

Findings from the study will be presented at the 2011 Society for Endocrinology Conference in Birmingham, UK. 

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