Pomegranate juice (POM Wonderful)

Indication: Coronary heart disease (CAD) and myocardial ischemia

Source: Am J Cardiol, September 15, 2005;96(6):810-4.

Research: 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: According to the study findings, blood flow to the heart improved by 17% in the pomegranate group and declined by 18% in the placebo group. Researchers pointed out that the benefits were realized without any negative effects on lipids, blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, body weight or blood pressure.