12.01.05
Indication: Ischemic coronary heart disease (CHD)
Source: Am J Cardiol, September 15, 2005; 96(6):810-4.
Research: Pomegranate juice contains antioxidants and may have antiatherosclerotic properties. However, no study has investigated the effects of pomegranate juice on patients who have ischemic coronary heart disease (CHD). Researchers investigated whether daily consumption of pomegranate juice for three months would affect myocardial perfusion in 45 patients who had CHD and myocardial ischemia in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Patients were randomly assigned into one of two groups: a pomegranate juice group (240 ml/day) or a placebo group that drank a beverage of similar caloric content, amount, flavor and color. Participants underwent electrocardiographic-gated myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomographic technetium-99m tetrofosmin scintigraphy at rest and during stress at baseline and three months.
Results: After three months, the extent of stress-induced ischemia decreased in the pomegranate group, but increased in the control group. This benefit was observed without changes in cardiac medications, blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c, weight or blood pressure in either group. Researchers concluded that daily consumption of pomegranate juice may improve stress-induced myocardial ischemia in patients who have CHD.
Source: Am J Cardiol, September 15, 2005; 96(6):810-4.
Research: Pomegranate juice contains antioxidants and may have antiatherosclerotic properties. However, no study has investigated the effects of pomegranate juice on patients who have ischemic coronary heart disease (CHD). Researchers investigated whether daily consumption of pomegranate juice for three months would affect myocardial perfusion in 45 patients who had CHD and myocardial ischemia in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Patients were randomly assigned into one of two groups: a pomegranate juice group (240 ml/day) or a placebo group that drank a beverage of similar caloric content, amount, flavor and color. Participants underwent electrocardiographic-gated myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomographic technetium-99m tetrofosmin scintigraphy at rest and during stress at baseline and three months.
Results: After three months, the extent of stress-induced ischemia decreased in the pomegranate group, but increased in the control group. This benefit was observed without changes in cardiac medications, blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c, weight or blood pressure in either group. Researchers concluded that daily consumption of pomegranate juice may improve stress-induced myocardial ischemia in patients who have CHD.