Introduction
If, as most of us, you want to fight hypertension while looking young and attractive, pomegranates are a must in your diet. Pomegranates are highly regarded among Mediterraneans for their many contributions to health and beauty: they are well known for rejuvenating our body parts, while helping prevent an array of chronic diseases such as hypertension.
During the last 7 years we have seen a large increase in scientific studies dealing with pomegranates, pomegranate juice, and pomegranate extract. An explosion of interest in this fruit as a medicinal and nutritional product, due mainly to its effect in the fight of hypertension and atherosclerosis, has followed as a result of these studies.
The pomegranate tree, Punica granatum, especially its fruit, possesses a vast medical history due to its phytochemical reservoir. The tree and its fruit can be divided into several parts: seeds, juice, peel, leaves, flowers, bark, and roots, each of which has interesting pharmacologic activity. Juice and peels, for example, possess potent antioxidant properties, while juice, peel and oil are all weakly estrogenic, of interest for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. The use of juice, peel and oil has also been shown to possess anticancer activities associated with the plant anti-inflammatory effects.
How Pomegranates Fight Hypertension
By now, scientists are considering pomegranates one of the healthiest foods people can eat, largely because of their beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. Latest research has shown pomegranates to be the food with most antioxidants. They contain three times more antioxidants than green tea and red wine.
Pomegranates contain an array of beneficial phytonutrients and potent antioxidants such as phenols, tannins, and punicalagins, the latest being a compound unique to pomegranates. Researchers have determined that oxidative stress, the damage caused to our cells by free radicals, can alter the balance between constriction and dilation of blood vessels, a condition that contributes to high blood pressure. By stopping oxidative stress, the compounds found in pomegranates may help prevent too much constriction of blood vessels and lower blood pressure (Kitiyakara C et al 1998).
Scientists also believe that pomegranates, a potent source of antioxidants, may promote healthy blood pressure levels by both enhancing the activity and preventing the degradation of an important agent responsible for dilating the blood vessels (Ignarro LJ et al 2006). As you may know, a healthy dilation of blood vessels promotes a normal blood pressure level.
In addition, thanks to their high content of water and potassium and their low content of sodium, pomegranates promote the elimination of liquid through the kidneys, one more reason that supports a healthy blood pressure.
Additional medicinal benefits of pomegranates
Atherosclerosis – Due to its richness of flavonoids and antioxidant vitamins C and E, pomegranates prevent atherosclerosis. In a recent study, patients who took a glass of pomegranate juice every day felt better after 10 days of start taking it.
A study, published by Atherosclerosis, 2001, showed that consumption of pomegranate juice, which is rich in tannins, possesses anti-atherosclerotic properties which could be related to its potent anti-oxidative characteristics. The researchers studied the effect of pomegranate juice consumption (50 ml per day for 2 weeks) by hypertensive patients on their blood pressure. A 5% reduction in systolic blood pressure (the higher number) was noted. The researchers concluded that pomegranate juice can offer a wide protection against cardiovascular diseases.
Degenerative illnesses – Due to its content of antocianines (pigments of red and blue color known as flavonoids) and vitamins C and E, pomegranates stop the aging process and appearance of degenerative illnesses.
Blood purifier – A long treatment with pomegranate juice detoxifies and regenerates the blood. Pomegranates are known as “the queen” of naturopath geriatrics; they are excellent nutrition for old people as well as children.
Diabetes – Pomegranates are an excellent fruit for diabetics because they do not raise blood sugar. They protect them against atherosclerosis and hypertension, two major risks for diabetics.
Menopause – Due to their content of estrogens, pomegranates are recommended to prevent discomforts caused by menopause. Japanese women eat this fruit to prevent such discomforts.
Anti-anemia – Because of its richness in minerals, vitamin C and copper, pomegranate juice is well known for is anti-anemia effects. Pomegranates improve anemia cause by iron deficiency.
Chronic inflammations – Pomegranate juice, taken before breakfast and half hour before meals is quite effective to fight laryngitis, sinusitis, and ear inflammation with suppuration.
Final words
As you have seen, to fight hypertension, pomegranates are a must. However, if you are really serious about fighting hypertension, pomegranates are only one more player among the key foods you need to include in a diet that will prevent and fight hypertension. You can visit my web page and read some of the articles on the subject; they will help you in your undertaking.
I wish you a very happy and healthy day.
Emilia Klapp, BS, RD.
About the Author
Emilia Klapp is cerified by the American Dietetic Association as a Registered Dietitian. She is also the author of the book Your Heart Needs the Mediterranean Diet. With this book, Emilia Klapp has helped many people to fight and control hypertension and atherosclerosis. For more information about the author and to get a FREE report on the 10 healthiest Mediterranean foods, you can go to http://www.MediterraneanHeart.com
