A large glass of pomegranate juice a day could be just what your conventional cardiologist ordered. Scientists recently reported three key findings on the consumption of pomegranate juice:

• It helped reduce the fatty deposit buildup from the artery walls in mice

• It kept the cells of the human heart healthier

• It significantly reduced the progression of atherosclerosis by 30 percent in the mice that consumed it

Pomegranates are a native Middle Eastern fruit that contain crunchy seeds surrounded by juicy pulp. It is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. One nutritionist noted that while eating pomegranates is a fun experience it could also be a messy one. For this reason she claimed that juice may be the more practical option.

Other studies have uncovered the antioxidants in pomegranate juice might be responsible for plaque reduction on artery walls and play a part in reducing oxidative stress on endothelial cells (the cells that line the blood vessels), producing a substance called nitric oxide, which helps the blood vessels relax. It was discovered that the heart cells of mice that were given pomegranate juice had a 50 percent increase in nitric oxide and nearly a 30 percent reduction in plaque.

Researchers stated that the two main problems with pomegranate consumption are that they are pricey and not the easiest fruit to find.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences March 21, 2005

ABC News March 22, 2005

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Pomegranate history dates as far back as 3,000 BC. The pomegranate has been heralded for its sweet taste as well as its vivid color and now this study has confirmed that pomegranates deserve similar praise as the antioxidant-rich berries. Many fruits have seeds that are loaded with powerful antioxidants that quelch free radicals and help prevent nearly every chronic degenerative disease. However, despite all the health benefits of pomegranates it’s important to understand that when you juice a fruit you tend to concentrate the sugars and this has the potential to increase your insulin levels. When the fruit is intact and whole, its fiber will somewhat moderate the release of fructose as well as insulin into the bloodstream. Since 85 percent or so of the American population already struggles with this issue, it is clear that most people should avoid juices, even healthy ones like pomegranate juice. Some of the most potent antioxidants are those found in blueberries and cherries. Obviously they are not available fresh all year round like other fruits, but you can purchase them frozen. Another alternative that I personally use is extract of WILD cherries and WILD blueberries. The key here is wild as they have far more antioxidants than the commercial varieties that you purchase in the grocery store. We actually carry these CherryFlex and Wild Blueberry IQ Softgels in our store. Related Articles: Protect Yourself From Heart Disease With Simple Lifestyle Changes How Fish Oil Protects Your Heart 10-Minute Exercise Schedule Good for Your Heart Cardiovascular Benefits of Omega-3 Fats