POMEGRANATE JUICE MAY HELP CORONARY HEART DISEASE.

Pomegranate juice may slow the progression of coronary heart disease (CHD) by improving blood flow to the heart in CHD patients, according to new study results published in the September 16th issue of the American Journal of Cardiology. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, doubleblind trial, 45 CHD patients with decreased blood flow were given either a glass (8.5 oz.) of pomegranate juice or a placebo drink daily. After three months, patients drinking pomegranate juice exhibited a 17% increase in blood flow, while the placebo group showed an 18% decrease in blood flow. Also, there were no negative effects on lipids, blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, body weight or blood pressure. Senior author, Dean Ornish, MD, founder of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute and clinical professor of medicine at UCSF stated, “Pomegranate juice may have important clinical benefits in those with coronary heart disease, and also, it may help to prevent it.” (Sumner, M.D., Elliott-Eller, M., et al. “Effects of pomegranate juice consumption on myocardial perfusion in patients with coronary heart disease.” Am Journal Card.2005;96(6):810-814.)