Medical experts say drinking a £1.20 breakfast juice every day will reduce your blood pressure.
Pomegranates are one of the oldest edible fruits and are having a resurgence in restaurants and menus. But the fruit can also bring benefits for those with raised blood pressure as it has has a powerful ingredient which reduces hypertension. Its fleshy aryls or seed casings are full of a ruby-coloured juice which has antioxidants called polyphenols. These include a unique group of tannins called 'punicalagins'.
Experts say they lower the blood pressure by:
- dilating arteries
- improving the artery walls to allow them to perform better and balancing the surges in blood pressure as your heart beats
- blocking the action of angiotensin converting enzyme ( ACE ). This is used in prescribed drugs to lower blood pressure
- reducing platelets and improving blood flow.
The fruit is also a good source of vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, folate, potassium, magnesium and antioxidant carotenoids, which can affect the control of blood pressure, cholesterol or circulation. But its juice only costs £1.20 per carton to buy, increase health benefits and reduce hypertension.
Studies assessed the effects of pomegranate juice on blood pressure including a study which involved 10 people whose hypertension remained uncontrolled. After drinking 50ml pomegranate juice twice a day, for two weeks, their blood levels containing angiotensin II, the converting enzyme (ACE) fell by an additional 36% in seven out of the ten patients. And their blood pressure fell by an average of 7/1 mmHg - a reduction of 5%.
In another piece of research, drinking 200 ml of pomegranate juice daily for one year reduced blood pressure by 21%. But drinking more than 240 ml did not seem reduce it further. Other studies have shown a small reduction in blood pressure from the juice for four weeks in 51 healthy women without hypertension. And in 21 people with well-controlled hypertension drinking 150ml pomegranate juice a day for two weeks further lowered blood pressure compared a placebo group who instead drank water.
Eight results were were analysed together and scientists found the juice led to a significant reduction in blood pressure. They concluded pomegranate juice should be part of a heart-healthy diet. In 45 people with heart disease and heart pain 240ml pomegranate juice per day for three months improved blood flow to heart muscle.
High blood pressure can also increase the risk erectile dysfunction among men, but pomegranate juice may also help with this. A trial of 53 men with erectile difficulties found improvements in their sexual function 25 improved when taking the drink and men had improved impotence scores Scientists say. further trials are needed to see if better results occur with longer periods of use.
The juice is widely available in supermarkets, health food stores and online. People should check sugar content if they want unsweetened juice. Pomegranate extracts an also be bought in capsule form.
Studies have suggested the drink may reduce the breakdown of some prescribed drugs, but this is no longer believed to be the case.. If you are on high blood pressure medication begin with a low dose of pomegranate juice to ensure it does not go too low.