- We can never say enough about the importance of eating organic foods. Fresh organic foods are packed with antioxidants and unique nutrients that boost the immune system.
- The nutrients in these organic foods can also help prevent and treat disease.
- The pomegranate, also known as the seeded apple, is a powerful fruit and is loaded with health benefits.
- It is deliciously sweet, and contains about 600 juicy seeds per fruit.
- Pomegranate is very low in calories, high in fiber, and packed with disease fighting antioxidants, making it an ideal choice for our diets.
- A study published in the journal Atherosclerosis shows that pomegranate may prevent or reverse the biggest risk factors linked to heart conditions: atherosclerosis. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, “Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up inside your arteries…over time, plaque hardens and narrows your arteries. This limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts of your body.”
- In the study, mice with genetics that increase the risk of coronary artery blockages were fed pomegranate extract in their drinking water for two weeks, starting at 3 weeks of age. Although the pomegranate extract actually increased cholesterol levels in the mice, it also reduced the size of atherosclerotic plaque in the aortic sinus and also reduced plaque in the coronary arteries.
- The study also found that the pomegranate juice showed the following benefits:
- Reduced levels of oxidative stress
- Reduced monocyte chemotactic protein-1, (a chemical messenger “chemokine” associated with inflammatory processes within the arteries).
- Reduced lipid accumulation in the heart muscle
- Reduced macrophage infiltration in the heart muscle
- Reduced levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and fibrosis in the myocardium
- Reduced cardiac enlargement
- Reduced ECG abnormalities
- This research adds to the mounting evidence that pomegranate can help unclog the arteries. A 2004 study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition, pomegranate juice was shown to reverse carotid artery stenosis, which is the narrowing of the carotid artery caused by atherosclerosis.
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- AS ALWAYS: Check with your health practitioner before you change your diet. This organic food is not meant to replace any treatment or drugs you are taking.
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- For the health benefits of pomegranate seeds.
- For the top 5 foods to lower Cholesterol.
- For a cholesterol health mango smoothie.
- For 12 tips to lower cholesterol.
- 6 essential herbs to lower your cholesterol naturally.
- Eating more fish can increase good cholesterol levels.
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- Some information included in this article is courtesy of Sayer Ji, Founder of GreedMedInfo.com. Greenmedinfo is the world’s most widely referenced natural health resource. Join their free newsletter in one simple step.
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- REFERENCES:
- 1. “How To Clean Your Arteries With One Simple Fruit.” GreenMedInfo. GreenMedInfo, 06 May 2013. Web. 21 Aug. 2014.
- 2. “The Effect of Pomegranate Extract on Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis in SR-BI/APOE Double Knockout Mice.” Atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis, May 2013. Web. 21 Aug. 2014.
- 3. “Pomegranate Juice Consumption for 3 Years by Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis Reduces Common Carotid Intima-media Thickness, Blood Pressure and LDL Oxidation.” Clinical Nutrition. Clinical Nutrition, June 2004. Web. 21 Aug. 2014.
- 4. “Effect of Pomegranate Juice on Angiotensin II-induced Hypertension in Diabetic Wistar Rats.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. Phytotherapy Research, June 2010. Web. 21 Aug. 2014.
- 5. “The Influence of Pomegranate Fruit Extract in Comparison to Regular Pomegranate Juice and Seed Oil on Nitric Oxide and Arterial Function in Obese Zucker Rats.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. Nitric Oxide, Aug. 2007. Web. 21 Aug. 2014.
- 6. “Dietary Fiber: Essential for a Healthy Diet.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, n.d. Web. 18 Aug. 2014.
- 7. “What Is Atherosclerosis?” National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. National Institutes of Health, n.d. Web. 21 Aug. 2014.
