To the ancient world this fruit was as much sacred as it was delectable.
In many cultures it was the symbol of fertility. In others a symbol of prosperity or the fruit of life. Throughout the centuries it has been highly prized for its healing powers. But research is now showing that just 2 ounces of the juice from this powerful fruit can lower your blood pressure as effectively as an ACE inhibitor without the unwanted side effects.
While drinking juice is great for your health generally you have to drink large quantities to gain significant benefits. Not so with the juice of a pomegranate. Pomegranate juice, even in small quantities, has shown that it’s powerful. It has the ability to lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol, decrease plaque in your arteries, and reduce your risk of heart disease.
Pomegranate juice also has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that protect your cardiovascular system. Decreasing the possibility of heart attack and stroke Pomegranate juice is definitely a juice we should start our day with.
Recent research on pomegranate juice to lower blood pressure
In a recent clinical trial it had been shown that as little as 2 ounces of pomegranate juice daily lowers your blood pressure, improves cholesterol, and cleanses plaque from your arteries. This, in turn, will reduce heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases. This is an amazing fruit indeed.
According to the research, “Its ability to act as an ACE inhibitor (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) is what allows pomegranate juice to lower blood pressure. ACE inhibitors include high blood pressure drugs like lisinopril and work by decreasing angiotensin activity, an enzyme that is made when the kidneys receive a signal to help blood pressure.
Inhibiting ACE helps blood vessels to relax and open up, thus lowering blood pressure and allowing more blood and oxygen to get to the heart.
In a small clinical trial, ten patients with high blood pressure were given 50 mL of pomegranate juice daily, which is a little less than 2 ounces. Seven of 10 subjects (70%) experienced a 36% average decrease in ACE activity and a statistically significant 5% decrease in systolic blood pressure.”
“If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or documented heart disease or atherosclerosis, nothing could be simpler or more natural than drinking a little daily pomegranate juice to lower blood pressure and improve your blood vessel health.”
How should you drink pomegranate juice?
If you are able, the best possible way to drink it is fresh at home. It is much easier than you think. You start by using a sharp knife and pierce the skin, being careful not to cut through to the seeds. Run your knife around the middle like you are circling the globe, and then pull the pomegranate apart so you have 2 halves. Insert in your juice press and there you have it.
If you don’t have a juice press and need to purchase your juice, ensure that you buy only 100% pomegranate juice without others fruits added. Enjoy pomegranate juice with ice and a sprig of mint and feels its curative powers go to work.
What Type Of Pomegranate Juice Are best for high blood pressure?
There are some pomegranate juices passed off as pomegranate juice but really are not. For example, Coca-Cola sells a pomegranate-blueberry juice and because it is made by Coca-Cola, it is only 0.1% pomegranate juice, not even 1%. So when looking for a juice to lower blood pressure you want 100% concentrated pomegranate juice.
You might want to take a look at a product called, Lakewood organic pomegranate juice. You can also take a look at Vitacost 100% Pure Pomegranate Juice Concentrate. When looking at the label you want to ensure that there are no added sugars e.g. fructose syrup etc. You can find a really good juice at any whole foods market and if you need help ask.
I like the concentrate, but do not drink it straight it will make your face pucker. Just 8 ounces of pomegranate juice daily can lower your systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Here’s a short video that summarizes the health benefits of pomegranate juice:
Resources on pomegranate juice to lower blood pressure and more…
- Pomegranate, the fruit from paradise
- Additional Healthy Teas, Soups & Juices to lower blood pressure>
Comments
15 Replies to “Can Drinking Pomegranate Juice Help Lower Your Blood Pressure?”
What about the warning that if you’re on statins you shouldn’t drink pomegranate juice?
Thanks
Dear Bob, There are mixed reviews about this. According to The Canadian Pharmacy website: A research team set out to find a treatment to control the two main causes of atherosclerosis: high bad LDL cholesterol levels and cholesterol oxidation. They tested combining low-dose Statin Therapy with pomegranate concentrate to manage both of these risk factors. The study published in “Atherosclerosis” showed this new treatment approach lowers high blood cholesterol levels significantly and delays cholesterol oxidation. Of course there is the other side of the coin: Scientists at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut found that pomegranate juice taken with rosuvastatin may increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis, according to research published in the “American Journal of Cardiology” in 2006. My suggestion would be that if you are on statins and want to drink pomegranate juice consult your healthcare provider. Thank you for the information.
Are you SURE “Pom Wonderful” is only .1% pomegranate juice? The website says it’s 100%. I suspect that if you claim was true there’d be dozens of class action suits pending for fraudulent or misleading labeling
Thank you for pointing this out. It was actually Coca-Cola and Pom Wonderful had sued them for miss labeling. It was finally heard by the Supreme Court and favored Pom Wonderful. I have changed the sentence you pointed out.
Help me please as to how to order your product for bp
Hi, We do not ship directly to the U.K. The easiest way is if you have friends or family I can ship to in the U.S. They in turn can ship to you.
The other way is to open a mail forwarding service account at https://www.myus.com. This gives you an address in the U.S I can ship to and then
they would ship to you. You would be responsible for any VAT and customs.
What about pomegranate juice extract? Can it work?
Hi Phillip, It may. But the information I had was about pure juice or concentrate. Neither with added sugar or chemicals.
Thanks for the info because I am one of the ones that when I go to the doctor my blood pressure goes up, it is all over the place. I take a shot once every two weeks for cholesterol, called Repatha. Can drinking this juice help me
Hi Harriet, I know it does help people with blood pressure issues. Eli
Hi, My husband and I are on blood pressure tablets. We want to stop taking them in time – if we take the pomegranate juice daily, what is the best way to stop taking the tablets. ie should we take one every other day, stop them completely or take one a week etc. I have a blood pressure monitor so can keep an eye on our levels etc.
Hi Sherri, You really cannot stop on your own. Doing so could cause a heart attack or stroke. We always suggest
you work in conjunction with your family doctor. Kindest Regards, Eli, SCS Manager, RESPeRATE.
The article mentions both 2 oz and 8 oz of pomegranate juice….which is correct? Thanks!
Hi, If you are drinking straight the 2 ounces. If you are using concentrated juice it is 2 Tbsp. in 8 ounces of water. Eli
VITACOST…sells the better drink Dynamic Health Pure Pomegranate 100% Juice concentrate unsweetened.